what Artists Alley




Welcome To The Project Ideas Page!


We all strive to create something which can be kept, loved and cherished throughout the years of our lives. Spending hours upon hours devoting time and energy into a creation to give as a gift, commemorate a moment in time or keep on display within our own homes usually means trying to become innovative with patterns to integrate them into everyday life. Within this section we are hoping to list some ideas for finishing your products so that they become functional works of art. If you, as a stitcher, have any ideas or project tips that you would like to share with us here, please email Angela with your ideas. Be sure to include photos, if you have them,and your name so we can give you credit for the idea.

Idea One

Pillows

To complete a pillow you will need a needle or sewing machine, thread corresponding to the color of your fabric, durable fabric for a pillow back. A pillow form, which is a pre made foam insert that you can purchase in various sizes and shapes so that you do not have to stuff and mold the fabric into a shape with cotton. Lastly, there is your choice of edge embellishments if you plan on adding a cord or lace, tassels or ribbons.

Step One: decide on the shape and size of your pillow, get all the materials you will need including the pillow form and fabric.
Step Two: when sewing your fabrics together, remember to leave one side open for inserting the pillow form. When you are placing your fabric together in order to stitch the sides closed, make sure you place your fabric with the 'good' sides inward and facing each other. That way when you turn your fabric so that the seams are inside, you have the right images and fabric feel showing. Try using pins to hold the fabric together while you sew, it will make it easier to keep the edges together. Also, if you are using any kind of lace as a decorative edge to your pillow, you will want to place it in between the fabrics before you sew the seams together
Step Three: Turn the fabric right side out and gently pull it over the pillow form. Now all you have left to do is sew the last edge together and you are finished. I suggest using an under-over stitch ( see picture )


Variations to change the look of your pillow.
Since we already covered when to add the lace, let me add a small note dealing with the side we left open. Before you sew them together, baste stitch the lace to one side, then stitch the seems together making sure to turn the fabric inward so that the edge is inside, matching the other sides.

The Open Pillow Look: This is a nice change from the ordinary throw pillows, it is more decorative than other types but I feel it adds a nice effect and makes it easier to wash the fabrics. The best way to do this sort of pillow is if you double the material. In other words, have an inside lining of a plain cotton fabric sewn to the two fabrics. This way the back of the stitched piece is covered and protected and the back of the pillow has a sturdier backing. When you have the two panels done then use bias tape to finish the edges, a simple straight stitch will give the bias tape enough hold and still look great. When the bias tape is done, lay the back flat on a table and put the pillow form in the center placing the other fabric over top of the pillow form. Use pins to pull the corners together and park the central area of the corner with a dot ( try and press hard enough to make the pencils point penetrate down onto the bottom fabrics. This mark is where you will be adding what is needed to hold the pillow and insert in place. On the back fabric sew a button on each of the corners and than on the top fabric sew a button hole. The buttons hold it closed at the corners, if you think you want more than add one to the center of each side for a total of 8 buttons. Alternately you can do this with ribbon as well, just add a second button hole to the top fabric in every corner and pull one side of the ribbon up through each after sewing it to the bottom fabric. Tie it in a bow and voila, a whole new look.
Another way to make pillows unique is by sewing cord around the sides. It is a simple process because you pretty much do a loop stitch secure the cord to the pillow. This would be done on a pillow instead of lace. Tassels can also be added if so desired.


Magnets

You can purchase magnets with a ready to use sticky side. There is however, one fall back with this pre done glue. If you don't position the fabric just right or lay it down on the sticky just right you could end up with a wrinkle in the center, some parts stretched more than others or even have the final object crooked. Pulling fabric off this sticky substance is not easy and you will end up pulling both your threads and fabric which will in turn ruin your work. There is an alternate way to create a magnet without causing problems with any part of the material. Finish the edges of your fabric with a small hem or very thin bias tape to keep them from fraying. Than take a piece of Bristol Board, foam board, or something you wish to use as a back to your stitched piece and sew it onto the stitched piece to it. Now that you have that done you can attach the new back to the sticky part of the magnet without worrying that it will not be straight or ruin the design you used. The magnet piece can be smaller since it isn't needed to keep the fabric from curling or being floppy.


Mugs

Key chains

Greeting Cards

Bell Pull

Signs

Tote Bags

Framed Wall Art

Blankets

Table Toppers

Pillow Cases

Tissue Box Covers




Return to Table of Contents