Cats "Scrapin a-play-que Series"...Re-purpose a Pillow...Phase 1

Hey quilter's ...hope all is well and enjoying summer activities. It's very hot here in Florida for June....something tells me it's going to be a long hot summer. Well, with that in mind a few great indoor activities may be the answer. What better way than to "teach a child 2 sew this summer!" In this phase we'll be starting to "re-purpose" an existing pillow. You can purchase a pillow form but why not "re-purpose" one you already have, sometimes a fresh new look in a kid's room is priceless :-) You'll be learning your decorative stitches on your sewing machine.... basic machine quilting all from the privacy of your home. Needless to say, out of this heatwave! Also, you will again have a "one-of-a-kind-u-unique pillow." I love fast and easy projects, and this is definitely one. The pillow instructions below are for a 16 x 16 size but you can easily enlarge if needed. I did my "idea" of an envelope style pillow but you can easily "google" instructions if needed. I design my wrap ends a bit wider than most due to wanting more of a secure fold and I allow extra for a "double seam", again reinforcing the pillow. I used 3 "fat quarters" for this pillow....which can be purchased just about anywhere. Aurifil 50# variegated thread (4663) took this simple design to a whole new level! Keep for yourself or give as a gift....great college gift or do in your school colors....endless possibilities! Plus....if you notice my design...you can flip pillow vertical or horizontal...2 pillows in 1 :-) As I always say....get creative...have fun...enjoy your "unique" design that you're about to create!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

*16 x 16 pillow

*3 Fat Quarters (or fabric scraps)

*Pellon Tear n Wash Lightweight Stabilizer

*Decorative thread (me....love aurifil 50#.....great colors & weights for all projects)

*Lining ( to cut size of pillow....see instructions below)

*Batting (to cut size of pillow....see instructions below)...I use warm & natural

Here's all you do...

*Rotary Cut your front fabric, batting & lining & stabilizer to 18" x 18" (you'll be cutting your back pieces for the fold at a later step) :-) 

*Iron your front piece of fabric....

*Finger press fabric in half or use your iron to press a seam.

*Then fold & lightly press that seam in half to make four lines (you'll be sewing on lines to help create straight lines while using decorative stitches. ex 18 (half is 9...then half is 4.5 and so on :-) 

Tip...Make sure you don't have heavy crease lines 'cause this can cause your stitches to buckle...I lightly press just to make sure I see "seam line to follow"

Or...you can use your ruler and lightly mark with your preferred method (I use a #2 pencil)

*Now pin your lightweight stabilizer to back of your "front fabric"...pin or clip if desired.

* Do your favorite decorative stitches on these lines....get creative...have fun!!! (See pics below)

Tip...if you are new to using your decorative stitches...make a "mini sample" of your fabric/batting etc and "test" your stitches....you can create many stitches using the same design by adjusting your stitch length & width on your machine. Lots of fun!

I also like to "lightly press" as I go...maybe it's my O.C.D (only Cat does) but keeps fabric smooth. 

Aurifil 50 weight # 1320 was used for these decorative stitches.

Aurifil 50 weight 4663 (variegated thread used on decorative stitches here!

Continue to "divide and conquer until you get the desired design you like....remember you still have quilting to do :-) 

*Once you've achieved your design....carefully "tear away" your stabilizer....lightly press & get ready for next phase....quilting & finishing :-)