Project #3 - Hearts & Crafts: L-O-V-E Pillow

Welcome to Mattie's Hearts & Crafts Blog Series! To find out more about the series (projects and supply list - free instructions!), Click on this link:  Hearts & Crafts Bundle.

L-O-V-E Pillow: Hearts & Crafts: Project #3
NON-STANDARD METHOD:  Raw-Edge Applique.
Use scraps or: 
Heart: (1) 4" square
Letters: (3) 3" squares
Background & Backing: (1) piece 12" x 24" (this allows for a 4" overlap).   I used Painter's Drop Cloth for this pillow. 
Quiltsmart Interfacing: 1 small heart from one panel of Sweet Hearts, Letters L-V-E from 1 panel of Raw Edge Letters 
Pillow form: 8" x 12"  
Matching or contrasting thread.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Cut fabrics.
2) Cut out around the letters - around the dashed line, no need to cut on the dashed line yet. Some of the letters are interchangeable making for a versatile panel.  For this design, cut out 2 "E"s, and 1 A/V Cut out small heart away from the big heart - around the dashed line also.  I also replaced the "O" with the heart.  There are a ton of words you could do....Joy, I [heart] U, HIS, HERS.... lots of possibilities!

3) Fuse the interfacing letters and the heart to the WRONG side of the respective fabrics.  Use an applique pressing sheet - it keeps the pieces in proper place and it protects the interfacing from getting too hot and shriveling.  If that happens to you, lower the temp on your iron. There are several more parts to step 3 - keep reading.

Be careful with the E, L, etc, as they will not be the direction that you normally think of them.  TIP:  I find it easiest to manage those letters if I fuse the entire "E" to a small piece of fabric, and then cut out what I need.
Cut out the letters and the heart.  Cut the letters on the dashed line and the heart on the solid line (in project #1, we sewed on the solid line - that is one of the differences in the methods). 
NOTE:  The L and E will be flipped over top to bottom to be correct.

 Letters as they will look on your finished project. Set aside.

4) Find the horizontal center of the fabric.  Draw a line with a Frixion (TM) pen (comes off with heat), or put a crease in the center with an iron.  Center the letters over this line/crease. 

5) Using fabric glue (I like SewLine), glue the letters and heart to the background fabric. You only need enough to hold them in place.  If you are new to this, you might want to secure the edges and corners.


6) Zigzag around the letters & heart.  I keep the stitch on the letters/heart and am just barely piercing the background fabric. You can also use a decorative stitch. If you wish to quilt your piece (mine is not), now would be the time.  Use invisible thread if you want the thread to not show, and a contrast if you want it to show as in my heart.  You can also use a very close match and it will blend in, as in the turquoise thread I used for the letters L, V, E.

7) Center the pillow form over the letters.  Note that there are several pictures for step 7.







 

 Fold under (wrong sides together) 2" on each end of your backing. Wrap the fabric around the pillow over the top of the letters. 

Wrap the bottom over the top, creating an overlap.

 Pinch the ends and pin through all thicknesses of the overlap.

 Pull the pillow form out through the side.  

8) Center the "Love"  (your love will be "centered")...
and pin along both ends.  








9) Sew both ends about 1/2" from raw edge, pulling pins out as you go.  Use a 2mm stitch and reinforce as needed across the overlap depending on the thickness of the fabric.









10) Turn right side out, use a pointer-creaser to gently poke out the corners.  Insert the pillow form through the opening.You can close the opening with Velcro (TM), button, or ribbon, but in a small pillow there is not much reason - unless your flap is floppy. 

If you have a different size pillow insert, you can use this same method - just fold your fabric around your insert and allow for at least 2" at each end for the overlap.

Have Fun & Share YOUR Creation - we would love to see a pic!  
Mattie