This week I spent too much time on the computer, and it wasn't to do the fun stuff like designing. It made me grumpy. Time for some sewing time to lift my spirits!
Sewing time helps chase away the grumps, and the satisfaction of finishing something helps even more, so I chose something small to work on. This was the test block for my Shuffle placemat pattern. I made it over two years ago, and quilted it with the intention of making it into a pillow. I found it again when I refreshed my sewing room last month.
I remember pulling it out last year, and hitting a snag when I could not find the tutorial I liked about how to add a hidden zipper. The host blog had shut down completely and all its posts were gone. I have made many pillow covers in the past using an envelope finish and a little bit of Velcro for a closure, but once I tried this zipper finish, I couldn't go back. Of course, I hadn't made enough of them to really remember how it worked, so I set this pillow project aside for later.
Yesterday I found some rough notes and it all came back to me. Yay! It's funny how I avoided this for a year, and the longer I left it the more complicated it became in my head. Once I just started, it was actually very easy, and came together very quickly.
The zipper is covered by a folded strip of fabric. Choosing a coordinating fabric made it flap decorative as well as functional.
My next challenge is to write up (or maybe film?) a tutorial so I'll always have it to refer to when I forget how to do this.
UPDATE: Go here for the tutorial!
Do you make pillows, and if so, how do you close them?
Happy quilting,
Joanne
Looking forward to the tutorial! ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteI love this cushion & have made many over the years, usually with a button closure, as that was how I was taught once, from an elderly Aunt. I've done a few zippered ones, but not like that. Should try it one day. Thanks for sharing & take care.
ReplyDeleteA very classy looking pillow. It is funny to me that for decades I made most of my own clothing, and most of my two daughters' clothing as well--so I have put in my fair share of zippers. But once I gave up garment sewing for quilting, I stayed clear of zippers. I have kits for zippered pouches I've been given at retreats and such, and I either give them away, or they are still sitting in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. Kudos to you for working it out!
ReplyDeleteKudos on the finish. I follow an online hidden zipper tutorial. I think I need to print off the information or write them down. You never think that a website will not be there in the future.
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to the tutorial! Love the pillow too!
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