Just hours after I posted last weeks tutorial I got the idea for this pillow. So instead of letting a perfectly good idea go to waste here is
Gift Tags Part Two
Today I give you the (poorly written) instructions for my little pieced pillow. You may want to go here for the instructions for making the tags.
Writing these instructions reminds me of the time we were selected by American Patchwork and Quilting as one of their top ten quilt stores. Part of being in the magazine was to design and make an original quilt. I slaved for weeks over the drawings, pattern and fabric selection. But when it came time to write the instructions I just threw up my hands and boxed the whole daggedgum thing up and sent it off. Bless their hearts. They wrote the most fabulous, clear instructions for me. I am forever grateful!
Anyway...
...from a twelve inch square of fabric
measure over 3 1/2" from the left and down 3 1/2". Cut. Cut. (What did I ever do before computers and these cool little arrows? Oh, yeah I had someone else do my dirty work for me. I almost forgot).
Cut two strips 2 1/2" x 14" for contrasting "ribbon".
Attach 5/8" ric rac to each side of one of the ribbon strips using your machine's quarter inch foot. Notice the edge of the foot is traveling along the edge of the fabric and the stitch is right down the middle of the ric rac. It's all so easy when you put your good tools to work.
Attach the strip to the small 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece by putting right sides together and raw edges even. You will want to sew with the strip on top so you can see to sew just to the left of the seam that attached the ric rac. That little stitch is you friendly guide. Just follow along all the way to the bottom of the pillow piece and you'll be just fine. Cut off the left over ribbon strip and save it. You'll need it to join those two top pieces in just a minute. Press seams toward the ribbon.
Sew the 8 1/2" square to the other edge of the strip (bottom part of photo below). Then join the 3 1/2" square to the 8 1/2" strip with the remaining leftover piece (top part of photo below). Heck, just look at the pictures!
Trim both pieces with your rotary cutter so everything is nice and square and neat..
Sew ric rac to both sides of second strip.
Join top to bottom sections by sewing the two sections to the 14" strip. Same drill. You'll follow right along the stitch that attached the ric rac.Trim and press seams in, toward the ribbon.
Finish your little pillow as you normally would.* You can add a ruffle if you want or cording. I just hot glued the tag on, but you could sew it if you'd like or maybe use velcro.
I think these would be fun for birthday gifts, or graduations. Put a babies birth date and weight on the tag, a wedding date, get well wishes. The possibilities are endless.
Gosh, you could just say hello...
or goodbye...
Encourage one another,
* What's that? You'd like to take a pillow finishing class? The uber talented Annette will be teaching a pillow finishing class at Strawberry Patches next month. Check the newsletter or call the store for details. Your pillows will thank you!
