Thursday, August 30, 2012

Luxury On A Dime: The Getting Gathered Pillow Tutorial


Want to rival the luxurious throw pillows in high-end catalogs for a fraction of the price? And have the added bonus of serious durability?  It's easy with my new Getting Gathered Pillow Tutorial. It's perfect for accenting a chair or couch, or adding extra style to a bedroom. And it's able to withstand whatever gets thrown at it.  Literally.  With 3 kids in my house that could be just about anything.  I don't dare have anything laying around that isn't washable these days. It's nice to have something that is and gives a little taste of luxury in the house!
To Make Your Own You'll Need:
- Square Pillow form (I used a 12"x12" size) 
- 1/2 yard Luxury Fabric (I used 300 count Cotton)*
- 1 yard Decorative trim or ribbon 
- 13 buttons (3 for back closure, 10 decorative for front)
Sewing Notions (shears/rotary cutter, ruler, disappearing marker/chalk, pins, iron, hand sewing needle, thread & sewing machine)

*What is 300 thread count cotton?  A 100% natural long staple Indian Cotton which, as the name says, has a thread count that's higher than most by-the-yard fabric (normal quilting cotton is just 100-200 thread count).  This is the material used in good quality bedding & sheets.  It has a nice sheen and feels butter soft, yet it's very practical since it's machine washable and really hardwearing.  Being 54 inches, wide the yardage is ideal for home accessories too, as they usually have larger widths than other projects.
Start with a length of fabric that is at 3 times as wide as the pillow form and 1 inch taller.  For my 12"x12" pillow I did 37 inches wide by 13 inches high.  Then mark into thirds, widthwise, with disappearing marker:
Cut the two back pieces, the first being 13 inches in width by 12 inches high and the other being 13 inches in width by at least 3 inches in height:
Fold over one length side of each of the back pieces by 1/4 inch and press.  Then fold over again 3/4 of an inch and re-press.
 Topstitch fold and sew 1/4 inch from fold on each piece.
On the smaller back piece, draw evenly spaced lines for buttonholes just below the topstitching:

Stitch buttonholes and cut open.  I used some silk thread for my topstitching & buttonholes.  It feels softer and has a little extra shimmer to add a nice fancy touch.

With right sides facing up, overlap the back pieces so that the folded top of the smaller piece is 3/4 inch over the bottom fold of the larger piece and pin together on either side:
On front fabric baste 1/4 inch from top and bottom raw edges and over the 3 marked lines.  Gather all rows by pulling up the bobbin threads and adjust gathers to be 13 inches across (measure with ruler to check the width and even the gathering):
Cut two pieces of decorative trim and pin along the two middle gathers and topstitch into place:
With right sides facing, pin front and back together and stitch .5 inch from edge all the way around:
Trim raw edges and clip points off corners and turn right side out.  Hand sew on buttons and place pillow form inside.
Now the pillow is ready to add a little luxury flair!


Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too-
Click HERE to check them out!

25 comments:

  1. These pillows are adorable! I love ruffles, and the fabric looks so soft! I might have to make these for the couch in our office... pinning!

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  2. Hi Cheryl,
    This is beautiful. I absolutely love it. I would love to have you link this with with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. I love your blog you really do a great job. You can find my link party at http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/08/free-bee-sweet-hat-pattern-crocheted.html
    Hugs!!!
    Debi @ Adorned From Above

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Debi. I've linked it up and add your button to my Party Page:)

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  3. It is absolutely beautiful. It looks fantastic!

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  4. This is so cute and the buttons are a darling touch! Nice that it is fancy and washable at the same time :) I am definitely putting a sewing machine on my Christmas list!

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  5. very fine DIY, and lovely pillowcase thanks

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  6. This is stunning! Great job! I love the gathers and the buttons. I am your newest follower. I hope you'll stop by Posed Perfection for a visit soon and maybe even a follow back. Have a great weekend!
    Blessings,
    Nici

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  7. I LOVE this!
    Thank you so much for sharing!

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  8. This is a beautiful pillow. I would love to have some of these in my home!

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  9. Cheryl what a great pillow love it! Thank you for sharing your lovely post at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop Linky Party xo P.S. I invite you to add your giveaway to my win it page

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  10. very cute! Wish I had some time to whip up one for my couch. I know my girls would steal it away to their bedrooms. LOL...

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  11. Excellent tutorial! Definitely want to spruce up my sofa with one of these. I'm envisioning it in a beautiful velvet. Thanks for sharing at Etcetorize this week!

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  12. That's a nice pillow! It looks very classy.

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  13. Gorgeous pillow - and a great tutorial too!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  14. This is really cute!!! I love decorative pillows. They always add the perfect touch :) I would love it if you linked this up at my party this week! You can find it here: http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/2012/08/easy-craft-diy-bakers-twine-votive-and.html

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  15. It's lovely to have something extra special, that's practical and washable at the same time. Great way to dress up a chair or lounge.

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  16. It so pretty! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Stuff of Success. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-pretty-monday-week-13.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  17. Hi Cheryl
    I love this pillow so much. I am redo upholstering my couch, and I am going to make a pillow like this one for it also. It is so pretty. I never thought of gathering the fabric. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/simple-anti-aging-moisturizer-and.html
    from Wednesday until Sunday.
    Hope to see you there.
    Debi Bolocofsky
    Adorned From Above
    www.adornedfromabove.com

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  18. Way to go Cheryl!!! You did a FABULOUS job!!!!!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  19. Great project and tutorial! thanks so much for sharing on Craft schooling sunday!

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  20. This turned out just beautiful! Great tutorial, thanks for showing it off, I am featuring you tonight!

    Carlee
    http://www.ladybirdln.com/2012/09/weekend-show-off-party.html

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  21. This is gorgeous! Pinned! Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

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  22. I love this pillow. And your tute is fab. Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you tomorrow.

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Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

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