The flange, or extra cloth edge, around a pillow is a way to make a smaller pillow form look bigger. It's also a classic pillow look that's appropriate for any decorating style.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome 6125QC)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Pillow pattern Simplicity 4108
• Fabric for making the pillow cover, we used Amy Butler's August Fields fabric in brick/bright buds
• All purpose thread in colors to match fabric
• Notions according to pattern
• Pillow form, 16" (or the size of your choice)
• Hand sewing needle
• Scissors
• Iron

Getting Started

1. Choose the pattern piece for the Large Square Pillow from Simplicity Pattern #4108. The flange will extend an extra 2" all the way around (extra 4" across) to fit a 16" pillow form. If you want to use a different size pillow form, simply add 4"to its width plus another 1" (for two 1/2" seam allowances) when cutting out your fabric pieces.
2. Cut out your pillow front and back according to the pattern instructions.

At Your Sewing Machine

1. Thread your machine with thread that coordinates with your fabric.
2. With your fabric right sides together, sew three sides of your pillow. On the fourth side, leave an opening just large enough to insert your pillow form. I like to start my seam about 1" from a corner. I sew to that corner, pivot and stitch all the way around the next three sides. When you come around to the fourth and final corner, stop about 1" after you pass that corner. This way, you've completed all four corner pivots when your fabric is nice and flat. The one-inch-from-the-corner is a guesstimate. You want to leave an opening along the fourth side that is just large enough to insert your pillow form. The smaller the better so there's less sewing to do after your pillow form is inserted.
3. Turn your pillow cover right side out and press.
   
4. Stitch again 2" from the edge, following the seam you just made and leaving the same size opening on that fourth side. This is called top-stitching because you are stitching on the top, or right side, of your fabric.
5. Insert your pillow form and finish the inner seam (the top stitched seam) with your sewing machine.
6. Hand sew the outer seam closed with a slip stitch. Press.

Hints and Tips

Other machines suitable for this project include the Pfaff ClassicStyle 1523 and the Bernina bernette 92c.

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