Faux suede gives this pillow a rich look and makes it appropriate for leather furniture or darker, more masculine upholstery.

Like elbow patches on a tweed jacket, leather looks great as an accent. Faux leather gives you the same look for less money. And you don't need a special leather needle.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any sewing machine (we recommend the Janome 4800QC)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Simplicity pattern Simplicity 4108
  
• Fabric for pillow
• Faux suede for front triangles
• Pins and other notions
• Pillow form, 20"
• All purpose thread
• Contrasting thread for topstitching
• Regular and topstitching sewing needles
• Scissors
• Iron

Getting Started

1. Cut out Simplicity 4108 pattern piece #1.
2. Fold it diagonally and then fold that triangle in half so that you end up with a triangle that's one quarter size of your pillow. Use this to cut out your four triangle pieces for the pillow front. Remember to add a 1/2" seam allowance along each edge. If you're using a print fabric for two of the triangles, make sure the print is going the same direction.
3. Unfold the pattern and use it to cut out your back piece.

At Your Machine

1. With the regular sewing needle in your machine, sew the four triangles together to create the pillow front.
2. Put in the topstitching needle and thread your machine with topstitching thread to contrast with your faux suede.
3. Topstitch along the two inside edges of each faux suede triangle about 1/2" from the edge.
4. Rethread your machine with topstitching thread to contrast with your other two fabric triangles.
5. Topstitch along the edges of these triangles like you did before.
6. Finish construction of your pillow, following the pattern instructions.
7. Set proudly on your sofa.

Hints and Tips

Before topstitching on your pillow front, test your thread color and stitch choice on fabric scraps.

Other machines suitable for this project include the Pfaff performance 2058 and the Bernina aurora 450.

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