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Friday, November 11, 2011

Step By Step

This afternoon I worked on my ornament. I'll show you exactly how I do this. I hardly touched a sewing machine until only a couple years ago ~ I'm NO expert. Dinna be askin' me to sew ye a shirt, lassies! This is about all I have really mastered, simple pillows. So far it's all I've needed. My point is this is easy!

After I pulled threads on the design and ironed interfacing on the back (and some on the back of the backing fabric as well) I trimmed the design on the lines. I also trimmed the backing fabric to fit and pinned the two together. Front sides together, please! The interfacing simply gives the pillow a little bit of body or "stiffness" to help keep it's shape. Plus, it helps keep fiberfill from squiggling out and driving OCD people like me crazy.


Now, I sew down each side and across the top. I don't "turn" the corners ~ I sew straight up and take a few stitches backwards then up again to reinforce the corner. Then I do the next seam the same way to create a + at each corner.


Once each side and the top is sewn I trim the threads and nip off the top corners. See the +?


Then I turn it right side out. I use a stuffing tool to gently poke out the top corners. This stuffing tool came with my package of fiberfill. After I have it turned out I fold in the bottom edges where I am going to sew it closed and run the tip of my iron over it to crease it. Careful ~ don't melt any buttons with that iron!


Yay stuffing! This being an ornament, I don't want it too heavy so I'm using fiberfill, just enough to fluff it out all puffy. DO NOT EVER use paper towels or toilet paper for stuffing material! You want fluffy and puffy not lumpy and flattening! I've used cotton balls as puffy backing behind stitching on greeting cards but I think they'd get too lumpy in pillows. Besides, fiberfill is extra cheap and easy to find as well.


Once it's stuffed I sew the seam closed on my fold-over using a ladder stitch. This is an excellent hidden seam stitch every needleworker should be able to do ~ so learn it! Learn it now, and here is a video to help you. Seriously, if I can learn this anyone can. And it's a lot easier if you fold and iron those edges first!


A very nice seam! If you are nervous about working with backing fabric try homespun like this or a gingham print fabric. Those straight lines will help you cut, sew and finish the closing seam neatly! Now my little ornament is ready for some edging.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox
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42 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 11, 2011 at 6:23:00 PM CST

    Sharon,
    Another great tutorial. I'm going to give it a try. Thanks!

    your ornament is very cute and I love the baking fabric!

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  2. FionaNovember 11, 2011 at 6:24:00 PM CST

    lovely clear tutorial Daffycat, again tis much appreciated, I've never thought about reinforcing my corners before but given the problems I've had with turning I think I will from now on!!!

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  3. katicaNovember 11, 2011 at 7:06:00 PM CST

    great tutorial! even those of us (me) petrified of a sewing machine should be able to give it a try using your instructions!

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  4. ArchangelDeckerNovember 11, 2011 at 7:20:00 PM CST

    Thanks for the tutorial! Your ornament came out really, really well!

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  5. SharonNovember 11, 2011 at 7:22:00 PM CST

    This post is an absolute God-send!!! I can stitch just fine, but I have a drawer-full of happy dances just sitting around because I break out in a cold sweat thinking about finishing them. You did a wonderful job explaining and the youtube link is brilliant. Thanks for the great post!

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  6. AdrienneNovember 11, 2011 at 8:11:00 PM CST

    That is BRILLIANT!! I'd never heard of the ladder stitch before, I am so going to try that the next time I finish something! Thank you!

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  7. PennyNovember 11, 2011 at 8:30:00 PM CST

    Thanks for showing how to do this! I never thought about the interfacing and I like how you explained the seams too ~ very helpful. :)

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  8. JanNovember 11, 2011 at 8:34:00 PM CST

    Thanks for giving us non-sewers a great tutorial.

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  9. ShirleeNovember 11, 2011 at 9:06:00 PM CST

    Thanks for the great tutorial! I'm not new to CS but I'm new to making smalls & have had quite a stressful time trying to finish them to look nice. I really appreciate the help! Blessings, Shirlee

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  10. VirpiNovember 12, 2011 at 12:27:00 AM CST

    Looks lovely. Thank you for the pics.

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  11. SueNovember 12, 2011 at 1:11:00 AM CST

    That is a great tutorial. Ladder stitch is my fave, too.

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  12. AliNovember 12, 2011 at 3:15:00 AM CST

    Thank you SOOO much for this I have some stitching ready to be made into an ornie and this is so helpful - as I was a bit scared I would spoil it - thanks also for the link to the ladder stitch as I've not heard of that stitch before xx

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  13. BrigitteNovember 12, 2011 at 3:19:00 AM CST

    And another great tutorial. Just as great as the one about tea staining. But the funniest so far is the one about the loop method, lol.
    I loved the ornament you stitched for Conny.

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  14. BekcaNovember 12, 2011 at 3:53:00 AM CST

    Thank you very much for this tutorial Sharon, it's extremly useful for beginner finishers like me! Best wishes.

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  15. LesleyanneNovember 12, 2011 at 4:27:00 AM CST

    Thanks for the tutorial. I am very new to finishing ornaments and usually get my mum to do them for me lol. I am going to give this a go. Thank you.

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  16. MouseNovember 12, 2011 at 5:03:00 AM CST

    oooo you sew just like me too ...lol I gave lesson to a friend exactly like this and showed her the ladder stitch too and she was soooooo impressed .... it was a bit like dejavu reading this ..lol .. lovely simple tutorial to help others :) love mouse xxxx

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  17. Aussie StitcherNovember 12, 2011 at 6:45:00 AM CST

    That is so helpful Sharon, thanks so much.

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  18. blueladieNovember 12, 2011 at 6:46:00 AM CST

    Love this! Thanks for always taking the time to show us a "how to"! :) Cathryn

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  19. cuckiNovember 12, 2011 at 6:54:00 AM CST

    thank you dear for the great tutorial..it is very helpful.
    love for you xx

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  20. LynnNovember 12, 2011 at 7:56:00 AM CST

    Thanks for the help Sharon! I'm still trying to get my ladder stitch down pat. I seem to have a bit of puckering after I'm done stitching it. I know it will improve over time.

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  21. KarenNovember 12, 2011 at 8:01:00 AM CST

    Your ornament is so nice! Thanks for the ladder stitch idea, I didn't know about it but will definitely try it.

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  22. CyberJulkaNovember 12, 2011 at 8:05:00 AM CST

    I really like your work! Hugs from Poland!

    Cyber Julka
    http://cyberjulka.blogspot.com/

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  23. AliNovember 12, 2011 at 8:25:00 AM CST

    Just a daft question would bondaweb be the same as interfacing??? Also, would you be doing another tutorial on edging??? (I am sat here doing my four straight edges xx)

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  24. CarolNovember 12, 2011 at 9:28:00 AM CST

    Wonderful tutorial, Sharon! I have always turned my edges when sewing on the machine, but I'll give this a try--sewing right through looks easier :)

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  25. AliNovember 12, 2011 at 9:31:00 AM CST

    Lol - sorted it was interfacing the mysterious fabric xx

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  26. NickyNovember 12, 2011 at 2:15:00 PM CST

    Thanks so much! My finished pillows always come out looking a little amateur-like, so i will try your great tips and see if I can improve. Would you consider doing a little tutorial on adding the edging? (Please!) That part really scares me too ........
    Thanks, Nicky

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  27. AnonymousNovember 12, 2011 at 3:40:00 PM CST

    thank you Sharon a great tutorial for us few that are frightened with the thought of using a sewing machine

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  28. PattyNovember 12, 2011 at 6:18:00 PM CST

    I love your ornament! I do the same thing but I hand sew everything. And my ladder stitch really sucks. I'll have to go watch that video.

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  29. geeky HeatherNovember 12, 2011 at 6:41:00 PM CST

    Aha! The bit about not turning the corner was very helpful. You give me confidence to even try...my sewing machine and I are NOT on speaking terms right now. =)

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  30. PumpkinNovember 12, 2011 at 7:28:00 PM CST

    Awesome tutorial Sharon! I never thought of sewing it this way :o)

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  31. Becky K in OKNovember 12, 2011 at 8:49:00 PM CST

    Exactly how I do my pillows also. Nice stuffing tool. I use a chopstick!

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  32. BeritNovember 12, 2011 at 11:05:00 PM CST

    Definitely some ideas here for keeping the corners nice--thanks!

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  33. LynnNovember 13, 2011 at 12:23:00 AM CST

    Beautiful!!! I'm so glad you posted that video!!! I can never get mine to look right so I tend to avoid that way of finishing.

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  34. CarmenNovember 13, 2011 at 5:20:00 AM CST

    thank you for the tutorial !

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  35. Sweet PNovember 13, 2011 at 6:37:00 AM CST

    I have counted canvas stocking to finish as a ornament. I have been trying to figure out how to finish and your instructions provided the answers. Thanks for the perfect timing!

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  36. JulieNovember 13, 2011 at 10:58:00 AM CST

    Wonderful tutorial, thanks

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  37. The Knitting Cross StitcherNovember 13, 2011 at 11:34:00 AM CST

    I am so happy I have found your tutorial, I am dancing :) I have just completed my LHN The North Wind and as I stitched it on 16ct aida I wasn't sure I wanted to make it into a picture. A pillow is the way to go and I know how to make one that will (hopefully) be neat.I have my fibre fill and backing fabric and my little sewing machine :):) Thanks Daffycat.

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  38. MelanieNovember 13, 2011 at 12:23:00 PM CST

    I've done a ton of pillow ornaments and I'm still learning new little tips from these tutorials so thank you for posting them. :)

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  39. Caitlin @ Naughts Cross StitchesNovember 13, 2011 at 7:04:00 PM CST

    Thanks for the lovely tutorial! I have been having trouble with turning the pillows right side out because I sew a little bit on the opening. Next one I do I will have to try leaving that side totally open.

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  40. Patty C.November 14, 2011 at 9:43:00 PM CST

    It looks perfect !!!

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  41. KatNovember 15, 2011 at 10:57:00 AM CST

    Looks wonderful, and you make it look so easy!

    ~Kat

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  42. RachelNovember 16, 2011 at 6:27:00 AM CST

    Thank you so much for posting this!! I am getting ready to sew up my pillow ornament gifts and have always used the very visible whipstitch to close them. The ladder stitch looks unbelievably easy!!! I will be giving that a go later today. :)

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