Quilts & More - USA (2020 - Summer)

AllPeopleQuilt.com 33

learn more: finishing pillows

Most pillow patterns feature basic seamed edges. For pillows with

flair, learn how to add piping and create crisp corners.

ADDING PIPING

1. To figure width of fabric strip for
   piping, determine width of piping
   cord, add seam allowance, and
   multiply by two. Cut enough strips
   to total length of cord plus^1 ∕ 4 ". Join
   short ends of strips to make one
   continuous piping strip.


2. Fold piping strip in half lengthwise,
   wrong side inside; press and open.
   Insert piping cord inside strip against
   fold. Align long raw edges and pin.
   Starting about 1" from one short
   end of strip, use a zipper foot to sew
   piping strip closed with a scant^1 ∕ 4 "
   seam allowance. Sew close to cord
   but not through it (Photo 1). Stop
   sewing about 1" from remaining
   short end, leaving end of strip
   unsewn.


3. On right side of pillow top, align
   long raw edges of piping strip with
   raw edge of pillow top, starting in
   middle of one side and curving strip
   around corners; pin. Make small
   snips in piping strip seam allowance
   at corners (Photo 2). When short
   ends of piping strip meet, cut
   cord ends so they abut each other,
   fold in one piping strip short edge

(^1) ∕ 4 ", and layer folded end of strip
over other end (Photo 3).

4. If making a pillow with an envelope-
   style back, layer a hemmed pillow
   back piece atop pillow top, right
   sides together, with right-hand edges
   of both pieces aligned. Repeat with
   second hemmed pillow back piece,
   aligning left-hand edges. The two
   pillow back pieces should overlap
   about 4". Sew around outer edges
   through all layers. Turn right side
   out through overlapped pillow back
   pieces to make pillow cover.


5. If making a pillow with a zipper back,
   layer zipper back atop pillow top,
   right sides together with zipper slider
   pulled halfway down. Sew around
   outer edges through all layers. Turn
   right side out through open zipper
   to make pillow cover.

STITCHING CORNERS

Ever wonder how to get tight, smooth

corners on pillows? Try this!

1. Using your favorite marking tool,
   mark^3 ∕ 8 " in from each corner of
   pillow cover (Photo 4). Then mark

(^1) ∕ 4 " in from center of each side
edge. Using an acrylic ruler, connect
center mark of one side to adjacent
corner mark, making a slightly
angled seam allowance.

2. Sew on drawn line.


3. Trim across each corner, being careful
   not to cut into seam allowance
   (Photo 5).

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LM Pillows.indd 33 FINAL 3/11/20 12:06 PM