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Monday, March 28, 2011

Pleated Pillows

A week or so ago I moved around my dining room furniture.  Using the two head chairs, I created this sitting area in the bay window space of that room.
I loved my new sitting area, but I did not love the green striped pillows anymore.  It was time for a change.  I went to Calico Corners during their 20% off sale and found the perfect fabric from Dwell Studios.

I started by measuring the pillow and picking out ribbon to use for the pleated trim.  I decided to go with the satin chocolate brown ribbon.

I like to use a square when cutting out fabric for a pillow.  It's an easy way to make sure I cut straight lines. I cut out two rectangles of fabric being careful to center the bird on the front of each pillow.
I pinned the satin ribbon onto the right side of the fabric, pleating it as I went along.  Each pillow took 4 yards of ribbon (one spool from Michaels craft store).
After pinning it all around, I sewed the pleated trim onto the right side of the fabric with the sewing machine.  I then took the other rectangle and sewed it right sides together starting about two inches from the end of the short end and sewing all around until I sewed about two inches again on the end I started.  This left space on the short end to stuff the pillow in.  I leave just enough space to "shove" the pillow form in.
You can see in this picture how I left about 8" of space to let the pillow in.  I then use Fabri-Tac (to me, it's the best fabric glue - it bonds instantly).   
I fold under the fabric and add the glue and press with my fingers to close the opening. 
Here is the finished pillow.  I just love how they came out.
They bring out the drape color and add a nice accent to the room.



Let me know what you think of the new pillows.  I always love, appreciate, and look forward to your comments.

-Judy

This project has been featured at:

All Things Heart and Home

51 comments:

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Judy love the pillows and I LOVE that fabric!! Such a nice place to sit with your morning coffee! Martina

Mel said...

They are lovely, a perfect touch of spring.

Allison@FabRehab said...

Oh Judy...those are so cute and look like something you'd find in a high end boutique!!

Debbiedoos said...

I think the fabric is beautiful. You are so talented Judy. Hope all is well. I missed you at the spray paint party. Seems weather all around effected the ability to spray paint. May have to do another one in the future.

Alison Agnew said...

love how they turned out...very crafty indeed to use fabric glue (my favorite little product) the final result is fabulous!

blessings,

alison
stuff and nonsense

Maggie Massey said...

Just beautiful...LOVE that fabric!!!

Colleen said...

Love them! I especially love the trim.

Rashon Carraway said...

Pillows are the jewelry for the home.

Great Great

Mr. Goodwill Hunting

A Thrifted Market said...

They are beautiful and I love your tutorial on them. I usually try to sew the opening shut but this fabric glue looks like a better idea!

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

The pillows turned out beautifully- I love the ribbon detail. They complement the drum table to a tee!

Anonymous said...

Love your pillows and love the pretty ruffles you've added.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Melanie Bacom said...

The pillows are beautiful.

Deneen@dreaming-n-color said...

I love this material! They came out great!

abby jenkins said...

those are perfectly perfect! I love all things Dwell and that fabric does not disappoint. Thanks for inspiring me to cover my dining room chair cushions, maybe with some of that fabric!

Ivy said...

The pillows look great! So does the sitting area.
Thanks for the tip on fabric glue. I've never thought about using glue to close the opening when making a pillow. I'm sure gonna do that next time I make a one.

laxsupermom said...

Love the pillows! The pleated ribbon edging is perfect! Thanks for the fabric glue tip. I hate slip-stitching, and this gives me a new option.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love them. The fabric is stunning and using the ribbon as a trim is genius. Beautiful job. I really like the sitting area also. Your garden stool is fantastic. Hugs, Marty

Heather said...

Very pretty pillows, and I love the garden theme.

cheryl(bungalowonbank) said...

These pillows are adorable! Love the birds! The trim is the perfect touch to the edges.

Karen said...

That fabric is gorgeous and the pillows look beautiful.

Divine Theatre said...

I am so glad you found me so I, in turn, could find YOU!
You are very talented and clever. I look forward to learning from you!
I love, love, love FabriTac! I used it for the embellishments on my daughter's Marie Antoinette costume...it saved me from hours and hours at the sewing machine!

xoxo
Andie

christini yogini said...

So elegant! Thanks for the glue tip! I'm your newest follower & hope you'll visit me at www.christiniyogini.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love that glue too. I've tried many kinds, but keep coming back to that one. Love the pleated trim and the colors of your pillows.

Jodie said...

Judy, Thank you for coming by my blog and for the nice comment. I'm enjoying looking around yours, your kitchen make over is beautiful! Where did you find your kitchen knobs? They are fabulous. We are due for some kitchen updating here. I am following you back.
Jodie

Lanell said...

Judy,
Thankyou for inviting me to join your blog. It is beautiful. The oven is my friend, the sewing machine not so much. I think I can make this type of pillow. I'm inspired to give it a try. Hoot-n-Nanny

michelle said...

Hi Judy! These are beautiful! I love the pattern and the ruffle is so pretty. Your blog is gorgeous! Thank you so much for visiting me and leaving a wonderful comment. I am following you now as well. :)

Brandi said...

beautiful pillows Judy! You are so very talented!

Living In The Woods said...

Judy! Love the pillows. I just started following and noticed the photo of your cabinets on your home page. Do you have a blog post of your kitchen? I have the same cabinets and would love to see what you have done.

Thanks!

Mariaelena said...

Hi Judy, beautiful pillows. love the brown ruffle...I'm hosting a giveaway over on my blog in honor of 100 followers...check it out and spread the word if you'd like....
Happy Monday, Mariaelena

Trisha @ The Sweet Survival said...

So so pretty! I love the fabric and the adorable ribbon ruffle.

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

They are darling- absolutely sweet with that brown satin trim! Great job Judy!

emilysnan said...

hiya judy ,where to start ????? i am sooooo jealous of your huge bay window GORGEOUS and your little end table is adorable ( would be great for a stool too at a dressing table ) and your cushion tutorial is fab they turned out great and do add just the right amount of cantrast x tfs and thanks for the email and lovely comments too
ttyl
xmaggiex

April @ just enough sparkle said...

Those are ADORABLE! Great job!

Christine said...

Following Back from the blog hop! Those pillows are fantastic! Love the fabric! Boy, it makes my house feel so boring! I need to work on some projects! I am looking forward to seeing your posts!

jandjhome said...

Amazing. I love the pleats.

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

That fabric totally livens up the space. Love the pleats!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my such pretty pillows! I love how you made sure you had that tweet bird in the pillow and great idea using fabric glue to close up the pillow!!!

So glad you came by my blog so I could find you! Am following you now!

bee blessed
mary

Our Seven Dwarfs said...

This is on my to do list. They look fabulous! Thanks for letting me know about your blog!

Jill of oursevendwarfs.com

Emily@LovelyBeasts said...

Love those chairs. They look like they belong there! And the new pillows give it the perfect contrast. Thanks for the tutorial!

Emily

Mrs. Turkey Bird said...

I just LOVE how clearly you illustrated how to deal with creating the pleated ribbon accents! When I'm not reading, I'm a quilter, and I've got to say, I'm tempted to try this out soon! Also, I really love your color choice. Bright yellow has been a HUGE theme for me in the last year or so.

Also, thanks for your kind comment on my blog. I'm terribly new to all of this, and welcome each comment with great rejoicing! :) Thanks!

www.turkeylists.blogspot.com

Sonny G said...

Hi Judy...
wow I love those pillows.. I think I have just enough sewing skills to accomplish those- maybe- hopefully -- keepin my fingers crossed..
thanks so much for your visit and your kind comment on my chair and also for becoming a follower..
I am now following you too and so happy to have found such a lovely and inspirational blog.. come see me anytime.. always happy to have ya..

xoxoxoxox
Sonny

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Hi Judy...I saw your link at Handmade Tuesdays. I am totally in love with this fabric. I sent for a swatch from Fabric.com and plan to order some soon. I think your pillows are beautiful and I love the pointer about the glue. I usually sew the opening closed but the glue is WAY easier. I linked to your Swing into Spring party and followed you as well. Nice to meet you! ~Ann

Stephanie said...

I love all the new fabrics at Calico corners. This one looks so good on your new sitting area. Just brightens up the chairs, so cozy.

annies home said...

what a beautiful classy look I love it

Anne said...

The pillow is gorgeous -- love the colors! I am writing a post about other bloggers' bird-theme projects and would love to include this (with a link to your post, of course.)

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love these pillows, Judy! What a great fabric! I never thought to use ribbon that way. I must pick up some of that Fabric Tack; I like the idea of instant bonding as opposed to regular fabric glue that I've been using.

Visiting from All Things Inspired linky!

Carrie @ Dittle Dattle said...

Amazing looking pillow! the fabric and gorgeous and I love the no-sew technique. thanks for linking up to "Amaze Me Monday".

Faith said...

That fabric is lovely. I especially like the easy no-sew technique.

Heidi said...

Judy
I love the chairs and the glue what a clever idea.

thanks for following

chickhardware.blogspot.com

KimMalk said...

I really like the fabric in mustard! Nice job.

Discount Furniture Burbank said...

Beautiful! And a lot easier than I thought it was.

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