Replies

1. 
   ShannonG4d | Apr 17, 2002 02:49pm | #1

   Mary,

   When I make pillows using forms like these, I cut the fabric exactly the same size as the form, no additions made for seam allowances. I like the form to fill out all the corners of the pillow and this seems to do the trick. So in this case, I'd cut the fabric squares 14 x 14. It goes against all the "rules" of sewing to do it this way...but it works!

1. 
   jensauer | Apr 30, 2002 04:07pm | #2

   This is a good tip. With a new home, I've been making up a ton of new pillows and through trial and error, I've discovered the same trick.

   Jennifer Sauer, Threads

1. 
   silkscape | May 03, 2002 03:26am | #3

   A tip I like for pillows is to taper in the corners to avoid the too pointy, dog-eared look.  (the corners will stretch b/c they are bias).  From about 3 or 4" before the corner, taper your sewing in to make the seam allowances at the corner 1/4" bigger than at the middle of the seams (the middle of the pillow sides.)

2. 
   Crish | May 16, 2002 04:21am | #4

   I agree with both of the preceding tips.

   Recently I have been making pillows with a diagonal zipper closure.  Results have been good.  Doing it on the diagonal give a larger opening for inserting the pillow and it really easy to get the corners fully stuffed.  I have been using an invisible zipper which gives a very nice finish.  Idea doesn't work if the pillow fabic is a plaid or large pattern because the match gets screwed up. Great if the fabric is solid or small allover pattern. 

1. 
   ShannonG4d | May 17, 2002 08:10pm | #5

   Crish, that is a terrific idea!  Thanks for sharing:)

   Shannon

2. 
   carolfresia | May 17, 2002 09:44pm | #6

   I really like the diagonal zipper idea, and could even see making it a design feature: remember the Threads cover with the beaded, hand-picked zipper? You could do something like that. Just don't make it tempting enough that people want to unzip it and let the stuffing out. In my house, I should probably put padlocks on zipped things, because there are lots of little fingers that like to try out zippers.