Sew Simple~

My daughter likes to drive with a small pillow behind her back. As she is a fairly new driver, I am glad to accomodate her so she is comfortable and safe! We found a small pillow at Tuesday Morning, but it has a Chocolate Lab pictured on one side and a quote about dogs on the other. She is a cat person plus the pillow just doesnt 'go' with the interior of her car! ~lol~

So, I offered to make a pillow sham for her.

 I'll give you three guesses which fabric I used. If you have been reading my blog for the past couple of months, you know that we are fans of the older Doctor Who television shows. (2005-09) Not long ago I bought some Doctor Who TARDIS fabric from Spoonflower. It is so cute and has different Doctors on it as well as the wonderful blue TARDIS and sonic screwdrivers!

And even better, my daughter's car is blue...so it will coordinate nicely :)

Start out by measuring the pillow~

Since I am just winging it and not using a pattern, I will measure the length and width then add allowances.  I decided to add a narrow flange around the perimeter too. So, my calculation looks like :

Length + seam allowance + flange + "puffy" allowance = front length
Width + seam allowance + flange + "puffy" allowance = front width
(I add 'puffy' allowance because the pillow is not flat)

I cut two pieces for the back; the reason for this is so the pillow can be inserted and removed through an overlapped opening. My calculation for these pieces are;

Final Length from previous calculation divided by two + overlap + edge hem

 by Final Width from previous calculation= each back piece

~The back pieces must be hemmed along overlapping edges~ 

This sounds much more complicated than it actually is!

Other than the exact pillow measurements, I choose my own allowances. So, let's say the pillow is 12" long, and I want a 1/2" flange all the way around.

I plan to use a 1/2" seam allowance and I want a 2" overlap in the back. I also decide on a 1/2" edge hem on the back pieces (fabric folded over 1/4", then another 1/4" and stitched). The front piece will be-

12" + 1" (flange on both ends) + 1" (seam allow)+ 2" puffy= front piece length.

back pieces length= divide front piece length in half and add 2" overlap + 1/2" hem to get the length. Back piece width= front piece width.

*Hem back piece edges that will overlap. (photo below)

This is a casual project, not haute couture, so I don't stress about pinning. I eye a 1/4" fold and sew, then fold edge over 1/4" again and stitch close to edge to finish.

Now I place the back pieces overlapped, right sides down on the front piece which is right sides up. (all right sides facing each other) Raw edges out, hemmed edges overlapping.

Now I use a few pins around the edges at this stage. I sew around the entire perimeter using the 1/2" seam allowance I decided on when I made the calculations.

Next, I turn it inside out (I call it inside right!) and gently push out the corners and press.

This is what it looks like before I turn it.....above~

Here it is turned. I use the plastic tool to gently push pointed corners out, then I iron the pillow case. This is the back view. The pillow will be slipped through this opening.

BEFORE  I insert the pillow, I stitched around the entire outside of the pillowcase edge 1/2" from the sides...this is top stitching. This top stitching forms the flange, or narrow border. You can make a wider flange or leave it off altogether. I wanted a narrow one.

Here is the back view~

This is such an easy sewing project...and it is fun to make changeable pillow cases for gifts, kids, or seasonal home decor. Gives you the opportunity to buy just a little of that team fabric for a sports fan, or holiday fabric for seasonal decorating.