Please read through the instructions before beginning to sew as there are several options available to complete the project. Some sewing knowledge is helpful to complete this project.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome DC3050)
• Even Feed foot with Quilt Guide
• Ruffler attachment
• 1/4" Seam foot

Fabric and Other Supplies (to make two shams for standard size pillows)

• For Optional Patchwork: an assortment of 6½" squares of fabric to create patchwork -- the number of different fabrics is up to you, but for a design similar to ours, you will need approximately 14 squares for each pillow sham.
• For Optional Patchwork: 1 yd solid fabric to coordinate with above patchwork (for pillow backs).
• We created our own "fabric" out of the patchwork squares described above, but a solid fabric would work just as well. If you decide on a solid fabric you will need 2 yds of it (1 yd for the tops, 1 yd for the backs).
• 2 1/8 yds of fabric for ruffle
• 11½ yds of first 3/8" ribbon (sample shows a dotted ribbon)
• 5½ yds of second 3/8" ribbon (sample shows a solid aqua)
• All purpose thread in colors to match fabrics and ribbon
  If doing patchwork, choose an all-purpose sewing thread that best matches the main color within your different squares.
• 6 yds of ½" or 5/8" wide fusible webbing with paper backing
• Scissors
• Pins
• Iron and ironing board
• Optional: rotary cutter, 6" wide quilting ruler, quilter's safety pins, fabric marker
• If you are not using a Ruffler attachment, you will also need 14 yards of a heavy thread, crochet cotton or string.

If you choose to quilt your fabric you will also need:

• 1 yd muslin
• 2 pieces of 22" x 31" batting (fusible batting works well, but non-fusible is okay too)

Getting Started

Cutting:

1. From main fabric, cut two 22" x 31" rectangles.
   
2. From the ruffle fabric, cut 12 strips, each strip should be 6" wide by the width of the fabric.
   

At Your Machine

To Create the Patchwork:

1. Using our photos as a reference, arrange your selection of 6½" squares in a pleasing display with 5 squares across and 3 squares down. You'll notice that our sample features some squares of different sizes. You can do this too if you want. When you're creating your own "fabric," you get to decide how large each square will be.
   
2. Place a 1/4" Seam foot on your machine. Wind a bobbin with all-purpose sewing thread. Thread the machine with the same thread and insert the wound bobbin.
   
3. Sew the squares together to make a row.  Sew the rows together to create your patchwork "fabric."
   
4. The final size of the "fabric" must be at least 22" x 31". When you are done, if the rectangle is too small, add another row. If the rectangle is too big, simply trim to the correct size.  This rectangle now becomes your main fabric.
   
5. Repeat the above for the second pillow sham.

Optional Quilting (for added dimension and interest):

1. Cut two 22" x 31" rectangles from muslin.
   
2. Using a fabric marker and ruler, draw a line diagonally from corner to corner in both directions on the main fabric (the patchwork "fabric" you created above or your solid fabric choice).
   
3. Make a sandwich of main fabric, batting and muslin.  If you are using fusible batting, follow manufacturer's instructions to adhere the three layers together.  If using non-fusible batting, safety pin the three layers together
   
4. Wind a bobbin with thread that matches the main fabric. 
   
5. Thread your machine with same thread and insert wound bobbin. Select a straight stitch.
   Note:  You could also use a contrasting thread color if you want your quilting to stand out.
6. Attach the Even Feed foot with Quilt bar. Set the Quilt Bar 1" from the needle.
   
7. Stitch along the lines drawn.
   
8. For evenly spaced parallel rows, place the Quilt Bar on the line sewn. Stitch, guiding the Quilt Bar along the previously sewn line. 
   
9. Continue stitching parallel lines in one direction. When complete, flip the fabric and sew in the opposite direction.  
   
10. Repeat above steps using the remaining main fabric, batting and muslin for the second pillow sham.
    
11. When complete trim the pieces to 21" x 30".

Ruffling with a Ruffler Attachment:

1. Wind a bobbin with thread that matches the main fabric. Thread your machine with same thread and insert wound bobbin. Select a straight stitch.  
   
2. With right sides together, sew the six 6" ruffle strips together using a ½" seam allowance. The finished strip will be approximately 240".
   Note:  Most sewing machines have seam guides on the throat plate. For a perfect ½" seam allowance, place the outside edge of the fabric on the ½" guide.
3. Press all seams open.
   
4. Fold the strip in half widthwise, matching the raw edges, and press. The strip will now be 3" x approximately 240".  
   
5. Repeat using the remaining six 6" ruffle strips.
   
6. Place the Ruffler attachment on your machine: the holes are numbered 1 - 6, 12 and 0. I used #1.
7. Set the stitch length on your machine to 3.5
   
8. Slip the cut edge of the ruffle strip in between the two pieces of metal on your Ruffler attachment, inserting it as far forward as you can under the needle.
   
9. Sew at a slow to medium speed. The Ruffler will gather or pleat the fabric as you sew. Gather the whole length of one ruffle strip.  
   
10. Repeat using the remaining ruffle strip.
    

Ruffling without a Ruffler Attachment:

1. Place the All-Purpose Sewing foot on your machine. Select the Zig Zag stitch. Set the stitch width to 4.0.
   
2. Place one ruffle strip under the foot with the cut edge facing right. Place the heavy thread, crochet cotton or string on top of the fabric with approximately 6" of heavy thread extending beyond the fabric.
   
3. Line up the cut edge of the fabric with the right edge of your presser foot. Lower your presser foot.  
   
4. Start sewing slowly. The idea is to zig zag over the heavy thread not stitch through it. You are creating a little "cage" for the heavy thread to slide through.
   
5. Zig zag over the heavy thread the entire length of the ruffle strip. Cut the heavy thread leaving a 3" tail.
   
6. Place a straight pin at the end of the strip and wrap the thread tail around the pin before starting to gather the fabric. This will prevent pulling the thread out of the zig zag stitches as you gather. 
   
7. Start pulling the 6" thread left at the beginning of the strip. The fabric will gather as you pull the thread. If you did catch a bit of the heavy thread as you stitched, just clip the zig zag stitch and continue pulling.
   
8. Gather the strip until it is approximately 115". Do not remove the heavy thread until the ruffle is sewn to the main fabric.
   

Attaching the Ruffle:

1. Place the Even Feed foot on your machine.
   
2. At the beginning of the ruffle, fold the raw edges ½" to the inside of the ruffle to create a clean edge. You will have to remove a little of the gathers to tuck the raw edge inside the ruffle.
   
3. Place the ruffle on top of your main fabric at the bottom center edge (do not start at a corner). Right sides should be together and raw edges even.
   
4. Start sewing 1" in from the edge, using a ½" seam allowance. At the corners, push in extra fabric to add fullness. When you get back to your starting point, cut off any remaining ruffle 1" beyond where the ruffle meets and slip the cut edge into the folded edge for a clean finish.
   
5. Repeat with the remaining ruffle strip and main fabric piece.
   Note:  If you used the zig zag method to create the gathers, remove the heavy thread now.
6. Fold the ruffle out and press the seam toward the ruffle. This may be difficult because of the bulk, but you want to get the ruffle seam allowance out of the way before you add the ribbon trim. It might be helpful to pin the ruffle seam allowance to the ruffle. 
   
7. You will notice there is a lot of bulk at the corners. Cut the excess fabric diagonally to remove some of the bulk, being careful to not clip your seam.

Adding the Ribbon Trim:

1. Set your machine for a zig zag stitch, width 1.5mm and length 3.0mm.
   
2. If you have the option, use the "needle down" feature on your sewing machine.
   
3. Starting in one corner, place the first 3/8" ribbon (the dotted ribbon in our sample) against the ruffle. Stitch, having the right swing of the zig zag pierce the main fabric and the left swing of the zig zag pierce the ribbon. Stitch to the next corner. Miter the ribbon at the corners if you can. If a miter is too difficult, just fold the ribbon square at the corners. When you reach the beginning overlap the ribbons and cut off the excess.  
   
4. Butt the second ribbon trim (the solid aqua ribbon in our sample) against the edge of the first ribbon. Stitch, having the right swing of the needle pierce the first ribbon and the left swing of the needle pierce the second ribbon. You may need to increase the width of the zig zag so you catch both ribbons.
   
5. Butt another row of the first ribbon (the dotted ribbon) against the second ribbon (the aqua ribbon) and stitch both edges together with a zig zag.
   
6. Stitch down the remaining edge of the first ribbon (Dotted).
   
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for the remaining main fabric piece.
   

Back of pillows:

1. Take your 1 yd of back fabric and cut the width in half, making two pieces 36" x 22".
   
2. Cut these two pieces in half again, making them 18" x 22".
   
3. You now have four equal pieces. Two of the pieces will be used for the back of each sham. 
   
4. Take one of the four pieces, and on one 22" edge, fold under 1/2" and press. On the opposite edge of this same piece, fold under 1 1/4" and press. Fold this same edge under another 1 1/4" and press. This hemmed edge will be the center of the pillow back.
   
5. Press under 1" on the two 18" edges.
   
6. Using a straight stitch, topstitch the inside folded edge of the 1 ¼" hem.  
   
7. Press the fusible webbing to the three non-hemmed edges.
   
8. Repeat the above steps for the remaining three 18" x 22" backing pieces.
   
9. Lay your main (pillow front) fabric on an ironing board, wrong side down and with the ruffle extending to the outside. Lay two back pieces on top of the main fabric, right sides up and with the hemmed edges facing the middle.
   
10. Adjust the two back pieces, overlapping the hemmed edges until the outside edges of the back pieces cover the raw edges of the main fabric.  
    
11. Gently lift up the edges where the fusible web is located and remove the paper backing.
    
12. Press the backing at the edges, making sure the seams are covered. This will hold the backing pieces in place so you can stitch them down.
    
13. At your sewing machine, select a zig zag stitch, width 1.5mm and length 3.0mm.
    
14. With the right side up, stitch over the edge of the first ribbon (dotted) next to the ruffle. Stitch all the way around the edge to secure the back to the front.
    
15. Insert your pillow through the opening in the back.
    

Other machines suitable for this project include the Brother ES-2000, the Bernina activa 220, and the Baby Lock Audrey A-Line Series.

Comments (0)

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

Add Comment Preview