could i make a 20 minute envelope pillow?
Could I actually make one of those pillows described as a 20 minute envelope pillow? Meaning, it should only take you 20 minutes to complete the slip cover that goes over the pillow form. Thus, giving you a completed project within 20 minutes of starting it.
Like most people, I have not touched a sewing machine since I was in junior high school home Ec., class. So, I was really Looking for a small machine that was light weight and simple to use. The Janome Mini Sew brand, looked right for me. It was purchased from Michaels, and I always use 40% off deals with free shipping. I will put the link to the machine under it’s photo. Besides, it was also given a pretty good rating from previous buyers.
beautiful blue coral pattern Pillow https://diys-by-dar.com/refurbishing-damaged-chairs-mid-century-modern-back-to-original-tone/
This beautiful material was used on a pair of mid century modern chairs that I refurbished. Follow the link above and you can take a look at them and read their story. Having material left, I wanted to try and make one of the popular envelope pillow covers with it. As a result, I was ready to use that light weight sewing machine. I always look over the instructions keeping safety in mind. But, simply look it up on you-tube and watch someone else give a demo on it. So, I have found 3 really good video tutorials that go over the fundamentals of this machine. Each video is on the shorter side, and a easy watch. It should not take over 30 minutes to watch them all.
OK, how do I use this sewing machine
This was easy to follow; take out of box, plug in and attach the foot pedal, and ready to load the thread on!
Filling the bobbin with the color thread you need was easy to follow. Threading the machine was super easy to follow as well. Next, put the bobbin down in it’s sewing position. Getting the bobbin thread to come up and out of the feeder, was a trick for me. My only guidance on that is go super slow and watch that thread being pulled around that bobbin. Use a small hook to pull the thread out and away from the machine. Then, you can separate the two threads with one on the top and the other on the bottom of your material to be sewn.
I personally was ready to just dig into making my pillow covering, so that’s what I did. (now don’t get to upset here, I have a complete tutorial at the end of this post which will help)
Making the 20 minute pillow has officially started!
A nice size for a basic throw pillow is 18 inches square. I purchased a pillow form from Michaels as well, a higher grade filled pillow that ran around $9.99. Watch your coupons and sales and you can get these pillows for 40% off, with free shipping too. You need your material to be just as wide as the pillow form, from seam to seam. This one is 18 inches, so we know the width will be 18 inches.
This is going to be a wrap around pillow envelope using only 1 piece of material, so you want to have enough to go around the pillow and make the two folds that cross over the back area with a flap. I will share the best tutorial I found on this. The only thing I would do differently is add maybe 7 inches instead of 5 in the equation. I think next time I will add a bit more.
The equation is your 18 inches (front), plus 18 inches (back), with 5 extra inches added in for the envelope flaps. It is basically giving you 5 inches for your flaps so one can go over the other in the back creating the slot to put your pillow through. That gives you 2.5 inches each side which includes your sewing hems. It works well, but I personally think I will add 7 inches to give it a bit more closing umph! I will make sure to try this on the next pillow cover I make.
Use zig zag stitch along rough edge to help prevent fraying
To prevent fraying on the edge of your material give it a zig zag stitch down both long sides of the material. This was really fun I must admit, it really makes you feel like a seamstress. Next, take a iron and you need to go to the short ends of the material. Iron down about a 1 inch hem, then tuck the end into the ironed corner. You are making a nice 1/2 inch hem out of this. Take some pins and secure in place. Now, your ready for some sewing. Each short end hemmed is approximately 1/2 inch and secured with pins. It will be sewn with a simple stitch down it’s length.
Find your center and measure for flaps!
Take the material and place it pretty side facing you . Find the center of it, and mark it with a pin on each side. This is the point the flaps can be evened up, and you pin it down. The equation goes like this.
Total length of pillow is 18 inches, divide in half = 9, and subtract 1/2 inch will equal 8 1/2 inches.
Now, take and measure the 8 1/2 inches from the pin outwards and fold back towards the pin at 8 1/2 inches. Subsequently, all you want is 8 1/2 inches from folded end to pin at center. The amount that hangs over the pin towards the other side will be the flap. Same thing on the other side, measure 8 1/2 inches from pin outwards and fold back onto itself back to the pin. Now its time to pin each side so you can get ready to sew each side. Once each side is sewn, you will see the flap at the back. Turn the pillow cover right side out now. Take your pillow and put through the flaps into the envelope cover.
Completed pillow
And, there you have it, making the 20 minute envelope pillow was really not that bad at all. Each one made after this point should be quicker and quicker to complete.
In conclusion, I will share the easiest link I found for a tutorial on this process. There are many on you tube, but this one seemed the simplest to me. Enjoy, and lets see what you made! share in comments.
