Shabby Chic Pillows (Simple Sewing) | Days of Chalk and Chocolate

Shabby Chic Pillows (Simple Sewing)

Share It:
I made pillows!  I needed to do some simple sewing projects so I whipped up some shabby chic, cottage style pillows with envelope closures. It was like therapy. Why did I need therapy?




This week has been a nightmare!  Ellie got sick and it was ugly, ugly, ugly. She woke up a jillion times during the nights and was crying, clingy, and miserable all day. Poor thing, you're thinking. Poor us is more like it.  Jim and I ended up crying, clingy, and miserable as well. But she has turned a corner and her fever has stayed away.  She is slowly returning to the crazy, sweet-n-sour child that is my Ellie.

I have basically been housebound all week. All week. ALL WEEK!!!!!  So what did I do besides watch Little Einsteins and urge Ellie to blow?  Sew!  I made a bunch of stuff so I'll show you in the next couple of days. I'm on a jag, you could say.

You know that center ruffle on that pillow?  Want to see how I made it so that you don't have to hem the edges or leave them frayed. It's so easy.  My pillows were 16 inches square, by the way.

1. Cut a length of fabric twice as long as you want your finished ruffle and twice as wide as you'd like your finished ruffle.  Mine was 45 inches long and 6 inches wide.

Just in case you thought I was lying.


2. Fold it in half length wise (cut edge to cut edge). Don't press.

 3. Sew your cut sides with a very narrow seam allowance.


4. Turn your tube so that the seam you just sewed is sitting in the middle of the tube instead of the side. How do I explain this better....um, look at the picture I guess.



5. Press it down so the seam is in the middle and you have two nice sharp folds on each side.


6. Turn it over and you're done!  Now you can ruffle it as you normally would. Run a long basting stitch down the middle and pull the bottom thread to achieve the ruffle tightness you need.

Sometimes a fray is a good thing. Sometimes you want your pillows to be more shabby than chic. But sometimes you don't and this is good alternative.

Remember to sew your embellishments, such as the ribbon on the above pillow, before you sew the the front to the back. Then your embellishments will be neatly sewn into the side seams.  You think this is obvious right?  Well, this novice sewer didn't know. Now she does.




So what else is new? Have you sewn anything recently?

Cheers!
Jenny

17 comments:

  1. It's so awful when the little ones are sick. Glad she's feeling better. Your pillows are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Those are beautiful! I think new pillows are the perfect thing for Jan. There needs to be something pretty and new after the tree and lights are taken down. (I still have mine up :?)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just hauled out my sewing machine today. I haven't made anything but at least it's out. Such pretty fabric on your pillows and you did a great job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Too beautiful!Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial! Would love to have you visit me sometime.
    Have a fabulous week!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your sewing talent never ceases to amaze me - and make me a wee bit jealous. LOL!! Those are beautiful, Jenny!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So sorry you've been housebound. What lovely pillows! Love the fabric and the ruffles! Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays!

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are stunning pillows and a great tutorial also!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love your pillows. I have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/01/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop_22.html
    Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above

    ReplyDelete
  9. Super cute! I love the ruffle down the center!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the ruffle! Thanks for the tutorial x Tash

    ReplyDelete
  11. So pretty! I'd say that is some great therapy! If I was good at sewing it might relax me, but I'm not there yet. Someday! Love the fabric you used.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love that floral fabric. Glad you found something to keep you sane during the little one's illness. Thanks for the tip on the ruffle.

    ReplyDelete


  13. Beautifully done.everything matches very well...:):):)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fevers can be so scary! Glad she is on the mend. The pillows look great! Thank you for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh Jenny they are all sweet as pie. Love the fabric. It's really pretty :) The one with the center ruffle and peek of pink is adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. LOVE THEM! They are fantastic. Have an incredible week. xo

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments!