After my successful pincushion project, my next venture was a pillowcase for my son’s travel-sized pillow I’d gotten some cartoon fabric remnants at a good price on eBay, so I used one that I knew Connor would like, but that wouldn’t kill me if I ruined it: Mickey Mouse.
Luckily, The Seasoned Homemaker’s tutorial on making an envelope pillow with French seams was well-worded with helpful photos, so I only messed up a couple of times (and those were minor and easily hidden).
I actually chose an envelope pillow for two reasons: one, I really just love the look of them; and two, I know my son likes to make this particular pillow into a bed for his stuffed animals. Usually this means removing the pillowcase and using it as a blanket, so he was totally thrilled to see that there was a little “pocket” for his stuffies — in this photo, Snivy — to snuggle up in.
Lessons learned:
- I need a bigger cutting mat. This 14″ mat I got for crafting and scrapbooking is NOT going to, well, cut it.
- Measuring exactly is important. Luckily, I didn’t ruin anything, but the enclosed French seam showed a few whiskers here and there from the first fold being too wide.
- Related to #2 above: I need to up my ironing game. I will be the first to admit that I choose my business casual wear based on a.) whether it’s machine-washable, and b.) whether it looks good without ironing. So, yeah, I don’t iron much. It’s not like it’s that difficult, but I’m used to ironing pre-made garments, not ironing a crease INTO fabric.
- The straight stitch plate that’s supposed to go with my machine doesn’t quite fit. It’s stamped with the right number on the bottom and everything, but it just won’t go. Not a major deal, but a little disappointing.
- Sewing fabrics that overlap requires some forethought. I had the envelope side up while I was sewing the seams, and dang if I didn’t get a little of the edge caught so that it folded back and got sewed down folded over. As it turns out, when I turned the pillowcase right-side out, my error was invisible… but now I know.
As I told my sewist/quilter friend earlier this week, the thrill of OMG I MADE A THING is addicting. I already can’t wait to try my hand at making an envelope pillow with piping.