rookie finisher

The pic looks as if the stitching is framed by strips, sides overlapped by top and bottom. I would do that, (you can also vary the finished size that way). Then machine 3 sides to the backing, stuff and slip stitch the 4th side. I think a seam around the edges will help it 'sit' better too. I haven't seen a door pillow before, and it's giving me ideas!!! Carolyn

The pillow looks like a flanged pillow to MOI because, if you look closely, you will see that the edge is sort of folded back so that the pillow fits into that little chair. If you don't know what that is, the check fabric that surrounds the stitched area is loose with no stuffing in it. To do this, you first sew the strips of check fabric to the sides of the needlework piece as you thought. The challenge comes in getting the backing on and stuffing the center portion without getting anything in the flange part :-). To do this, I would probably use an envelope backing -- where the backing fabric is in two pieces that overlap about an inch with the resulting opening running across the center line of the pillow -- just as if it was an envelope. Once you have the check fabric strips sewn to the needlework fabric, measure the front. Cut two backing pieces 2" WIDER than the front and 3" longer than "half" the length of the front. Narrow hem one short edge of each backing piece then overlap the hemmed edges by about 1". Pin the overlap area closed and baste along the outer edges to hold the two pieces together. Lay the backing on a table face up and center the needlework front on it face down, pinning to keep everything in place. Stitch all four edges -- no need for an opening because you have that envelope opening in the backing. Trim your corners, grade your seams and press the sewing line. Unpin the opening in the backing and turn right side out and press the seam line. Now comes the fun part. Pin the front and back together (on the front side) along all four sides putting the pins just outside the seam line where the check fabric is sewn to the needlework fabric. Now sew through all layers along that seam line -- this is called "stitch in the ditch". It's not the easiest thing to do but if you go slowly, you shouldn't have too much trouble and you won't see the stitching. your pillow is now assembled. Using scrap fabric, make a pillow form that is just a bit (maybe an inch) bigger than the measurement of the needlework fabric that forms the center of the pillow. Cut two pieces of scrap fabric, sew together leaving an opening for turning and stuffing. Once stuffed, you can machine sew the opening closed. Put the pillow form into the pillow using that envelope opening in the back and you are finished. I much prefer using a removable pillow form because it's easier to launder the stitched pillow without the stuffing. This is probably clear as mud and you can probably find directions online somewhere. If you do decide to make a flanged pillow and have any questions, just e-mail and I will try to help. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

Many thanks, Tia Mary. I finished it as a simple four strip on the front, and then a backing, but I like, very much, what you've described below. As a dear friend would like me to make one for them for next year, I'll give the flanged pillow a try!

Pat

Tia Mary wrote: