16
With right sides together,
machine stitch one long edge
of the back rectangle to the top edge
of the stitched design: begin and end
this seam at the seam line that you
sewed in Step 14 and backstitch at
that point to secure the seam. Press
the seam lightly.17
Machine stitch the short ends
of the back rectangles to the
other two sides of the end triangles;
use 15mm (^55 ⁄ 8 in) seam allowances for
these seams. To do this, pin the short
end of the back rectangle to one edge
of the triangle, backstitching at the
beginning and end of this seam.
Stitch the seam with the triangle
uppermost so that you can ensure
that your stitching falls exactly on
the line you traced in Step 12. Only
stitch on the line – do not sew into
the seam allowance. When you reach
the top corner of the traced triangle,
stop stitching. With the needle down,
in the fabric, lift the machine foot.
Snip into the seam allowance of
the rectangle only (not the triangle)
and pivot the fabric so you can sewthe back rectangle to the other
edge of the triangle. Stitch on the
line. Trim the seams to remove
some bulk at the corners.18
It’s too hard to turn the draught
stopper right side out through
a small opening, so to close the last
long side, turn under and press the
edges of the canvas and fabric by
2cm (^3 ⁄ 4 in). Using small, neat hand
stitches, sew the edges together
securely, leaving a small opening
near one corner to insert the fi lling.19
Use a funnel or cardboard
cone to pour the fi lling inside
the stopper through the opening,
then sew most of the opening
closed securely.20
Tuck the start of the cord
inside the little opening, then
use matching thread to sew the cord
all the way around the edge of the
stitched design – see Barbara’s Cord
Tip. When you get back to the start,
tuck the end of the piping cord inside
the opening and sew it closed very
tightly so no fi lling can escape. Cosy
nights ahead!BARBARA’S
ECONOMY TIP
This is a great project to use up
scraps of leftover canvas. Here’s
how: cut them all to the same width
(25cm/10in). Overlap the ends by
1cm (^3 ⁄ 8 in) and align the holes. Sew
along the overlapping edges by
hand or machine to make a firm
seam, keeping the holes aligned.
Stitch the doubled canvas as usual.BARBARA’S
STITCHING TIP
When you finish stitching, hold the
canvas up to the light to check for
missing stitches. It’s easy to see where
you’ve missed a stitch. I found three
sneaky ones when I checked mine.BARBARA’S CORD
SEWING TIP Choose
machine-sewing thread to match
the cord colour and follow the
direction of the cord’s twists with
slanted stitches that sink into the
grooves almost invisibly.To order, visit the
Smee Designs website
or send a cheque/
money order (please
add $6 P&H) to:
Smee Designs,
40 Larnook Cres,
Aspendale, VIC 3195We’re super excited to introduce the
new Castle Stitchery from Smee Designs.
Not only is the stitching heaps of fun,
the dragon is friendly, the Princesses
are cute and there’s plenty of magic in the
air! (We recommend watching the classic
movie, The Princess Bride, while stitching.)
Available as a full colour preprinted
fabric stitchery panel for easy stitching,
or a paper pattern ready to trace.
Both options include line by line
instructions and colour diagrams.
Fabric Pattern: $55, Paper Pattern: $25CASTLE STITCHERY
98 Homespun