"&" Pillow Cover Tutorial!

I am by no means an advanced sewer.  I am very much a beginner.

So in saying that, I am going to give you easy steps to make your very own "&" pillow cover!

Supplies:

- 1 yard of the fabric of your choice

- scissors

- tape measurer

- backing fabric (optional - I used it because my fabric was really thin)

- felt in your color choice (I used the more stiff kind only because that's what I had on hand)

- sewing machine & thread

- computer & printer

- disappearing ink pen or washable marker

STEP 1 - The "&"

Print out the size and type font you would like to use for your pillow.  I used Plantagenet Cherokee (Mac).  I also found a lot of really great fonts on DaFont (they're free!).  Cut out the printed "&" and place on your piece of felt.  Use your disappearing ink pen or washable marker to trace around the cut out "&".  Cut out the outlined item.

*If you're using a washable marker, be sure to remove the washable ink with a wet Q-tip*

STEP 2 - Measuring your front fabric

Measure your pillow form to get the dimensions for your pillow cover.  My pillow form is 19" x 19".  I added a half-inch to each side for seam allowance for my fabric to measure 20" x 20".  Measure this out on your fabric, mark it and cut it out.

STEP 3 - Measuring your the fabric for the back

For the back of the pillow cover you will want to have two separate pieces.  I had two separate pieces that measured 10" x 11" and 10" x 12". Fold back the longer side 1" and pin in place.  (Mine are simply overlapped in the picture above, but are still separate pieces).  Take each separate back piece and sew along the pinned portion.

STEP 4 - Back ties (I have no idea what else to call them!)

Cut six (6) strips of fabric that measure 1.5" x 11" (or however long and wide you'd like them).  Fold the pieces in half (hot-dog style...that's how my elementary teachers described it!) and pin in place.

Then sew along the pins and turn it inside out so that your seams aren't showing.  An easy way to do this is by using a safety pin and wiggling it through your fabric like so & pulling it through:

After you've done this go ahead and take one side of the tie-backs, fold it inside itself and secure by sewing it shut.  The other end can remain out.  Sew the end that is still out to the back of your pillow cover on the "wrong" side (the part that will essentially face the inside of the pillow).  I placed mine an equal distance apart across the backs opening on each side.

STEP 5

Take the "&" and pin in to the center of your front piece of fabric.  Sew it in place.

STEP 6 - Pinning around the edges

Take the front piece of fabric and place it right side up on a flat surface.  Then take your fabric for the back and place them on top of the front piece right side down overlapping them in the middle.  Pin the sides of the pillow cover in place once you have it how you like it.

STEP 7 - THE LAST STEP: Sew around the pinned edges

Sew up your sides!  Once you've done this all you need to do is clip your corners (without clipping the seam):

Turn it right side out and put your pillow insert in!  And you did it!

And here's the back...

So, what do you think?  Not too bad for a beginner seamstress, huh?

Please let me know your comments and suggestions! or if you have any questions on the tutorial!

I love hearing from y'all!  :)

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