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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Pillow Talk Add Decorating Detail And Comfort To Home With Your Own Handmade Cushions

Martha Stewart New York Times Sy

Pillows make a sofa cozy and a chair more comfortable, but that’s not all they do. Like all the best decorating details, pillows also make a powerful statement.

Big or small, tailored or casual, linen or velvet - pillows can take on any style. They are also wonderfully easy to make: All it takes is a few straight seams on the sewing machine. Use the following tips and instructions to make beautiful custom pillows for your home.

Fabrics

Almost any fabric can be used. If you’re making a simple square pillow, the fabric will provide the personality: Canvas ticking is cheerful and informal; silk is elegant and stylish; chenille and felt are warm and welcoming. It’s worth splurging on good-quality fabrics. Remnants, in fact, are often large enough to make one or two pillows.

Damaged vintage and antique textiles can be given new life as pillows. Old pillowcases, tablecloths, handkerchiefs and sheets often have lovely details, such as a monogram or embroidery, that can be centered on the pillow or used to trim it. Sew lace to muslin to keep the stuffing from showing through.

As with any sewing project, always wash and dry the fabric as instructed before working with it.

Stuffings

Pillow inserts and polyester stuffing are available from sewing and crafts stores. My favorite pillow inserts are filled with feathers and down; they can be custom-made to any size by a New York-based company called Allied Down (718-389-5454).

For aromatic pillows with a beanbaglike texture, fill the pillow with loose dried lavender (available at herbal pharmacies) or a mix of dried lavender and flax seeds (available at health-food stores). These little pillows make delightful sachets, neck rolls and restful eye pillows.

The simplest pillow

This pillow can be made in any size, with any fabric. Try using contrasting fabrics for the front and back.

1. Cut two pieces of fabric to the same dimensions, one inch wider and longer than you want the finished pillow to be: For a 12-inch square pillow, cut two 13-inch squares of fabric.

2. Pin the pieces together with right sides facing each other. Stitch together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving a large opening on one side. Trim the corners on the diagonal so they will be crisp when turned. Turn the case right side out and press it.

3. Insert a 13-inch-square pillow. (The pillow should be an inch larger than the case for a snug fit and fluffy look.) If filling with lavender, leave a small gap in the side instead of a large one. Slip-stitch the opening closed by hand.

4. When you need to wash the case, use a seam ripper to carefully pull out the hand-stitching used to close the pillow. Wash the case, reinsert the pillow and stitch closed again.

Woven-front pillow

Lengths of ribbon or twill tape woven in a checkerboard pattern make an unusual pillow. For a subtle pattern, use the same color ribbon or tape for both the horizontal and vertical stripes; for a more pronounced checkerboard, use two different colors.

1. The front of the pillow is woven; the back is a solid square of fabric. The amount of ribbon or tape necessary depends on the size of the pillow and the width of the ribbon or tape. Read through the following instructions so you can calculate how much you’ll need.

2. Cut a piece of fusible interfacing (available at sewing stores) 2 to 3 inches larger than you want the pillow to be. Arrange strips of ribbon or twill tape side by side on the interfacing, covering the entire surface. Pin them at one end, then weave the same number of strips over and under the first strips, pushing the rows close together as you weave.

3. Transfer the interfacing to a piece of muslin or other thin, flat fabric (right side up) of the same size; iron according to manufacturer’s directions to fuse the layers.

4. Trim the resulting “fabric” so it’s 1 inch larger all around than you want the finished pillow front to be. Cut a piece of plain fabric for the back of the pillow to this size. Lay the back piece on top of the ribbons, right sides together. Pin and sew with 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving a large gap on the fourth side.

Insert a pillow, and stitch closed by hand.

MEMO: Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@marthastewart.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate

Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@marthastewart.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate