I have been asked to write a tutorial on how to make a cushion cover with a zipper in it. How I do it is a combination of reading about how others make theirs and a whole lot of experimentation.
Prelude
I like cushion covers to be tight over the pillow form and spent a lot of time figuring out how to come up with a simple formula. It hit me one day and it works.
When you cut out your fabric, you cut it out the same size as the pillow form.
14" pillow has 14" squares of fabric, 16" pillow has 16" squares of fabric and on it goes.
Then, I wanted to put in the zipper in the back of the pillow so I had to figure out that. You cut out the back square one inch longer than the front.
14" pillow is 14" x 15", 16" pillow is 16 x 17" and on it goes.
Zippers then follow the size of the pillow. 14" zipper for a 14" pillow, 16" zipper for a 16" pillow and so on. If you can't get the right size zipper, buy a longer one and cut off the bottom when you sew it in. Easy.
Fabric
I use 100% cotton for my pillows. Mostly quilting cottons but I have used cotton upholstery fabric. I am ready to move out into other fabric in the store. But, I am not ready to use the heavy fabrics. That will come with experimentation.
Fabric Amount
- 40" of fabric will make 2 cushion covers between the sizes of 14 to 18" square. After that, you have to do some math. 48" will make two 22" cushion covers.
- Two zippers to match the width of your pillow for 2 cushion covers.
- Matching thread.
I use a rotary cutter and a 20" square ruler when cutting my squares. If you don't have that make a paper pattern.
1 - square the size of your cushion form (18" for this tutorial)
1 - piece that is the width of your cushion cover and 1" longer. (18 x 19" for this tutorial)
Preparing Your Fabric
If you plan on washing your cushion cover, wash, dry and iron your fabric prior to cutting out.
Trim the end of your fabric square using a rotary cutter and ruler.
Flip your fabric over and cut a piece that is 18" from the trimmed end.
Set that piece to one side.
Cut a second piece that is 19" long.
You will have a piece left at the end to discard. I prefer to have 2 or 3" left than not enough.
Take your pieces and trim off the selvage edge.
Open up the fabric so it is only 2 layers thick and cut them to be 18" wide. There should be a piece of fabric left from the folded edge.
Take the back piece (18 x 19") and cut it in half so you have four pieces 18" x 9.5". These will the part where the zipper goes.
You are now ready to sew up your cushion cover in Part 2.
Yesterday was a gorgeous day with a high of 33C or 91.5F. We must be getting use to it as we don't complain about it being hot. We just monitor how much we are outside in the heat.
The sky looked gorgeous last night and I had to snap a couple of pictures of it.
Lifestyle
I had to take the Spousal Unit to the hospital yesterday for a biopsy on his back. The procedure takes a few minutes but the waiting takes 50 times longer. He had to be frozen and then wait his turn.
We got done near lunch time so we headed to McDonald's for lunch. I was well behaved and had a grilled chicken burger and 6 small fries. After that we went to another grocery store and did a bit of shopping and a lot of looking. Got home around 2 p.m.
The road crew finished work early yesterday and it was quiet out there. You don't realize how quiet until they shut down all the equipment and leave. No noise until Monday. Bliss in our minds. But WRONG!! They are at it again at 7:15 a.m.
My weight is still going downwards. I am amazed that it is coming off easily. This morning I found a new set of numbers which was exciting.
Sewing
I emptied more out of the sewing room yesterday. It got put into our bedroom as we are running out of space in the living room.
I went through the yarn and got some ready to donate and threw out some small balls of orphan yarn. The empty containers got sewing books in them for the time being. The closet is almost empty but not quite. Another day and it will be done.
I decided to write a tutorial on how to make cushion covers my way. It is a combination of reading and experimenting. It will be done in two parts. My feature fabric is
Minions for Grandson's game room. Each meter (40") of fabric will make him 2 - 18" cushions.
This is the beginning of a bunch of simple projects that I left on the table. I can put down part of the cutting table and still cut out the squares and rectangles of fabrics to make these projects. The vast majority is reusable grocery bags and small bags to put stocking stuffers into.
Today
I work today -- the first of three days before my next day off. I have a feeling it will be a busy day doing a wide variety of things.
Until the next time.......................
Yesterday was another lovely summer day with a high of 32C or 90F. Today is suppose to be warmer and then hot on Saturday. This morning was cool at 13C or 55F. That is nice to feel.
Lifestyle
Our street was busy yesterday being destroyed for new water shut off valves for the area. The fellows arrived early and worked 10 hours steady.
We park on the street behind the excavator and walk in to the house. We didn't have water for 9 hours yesterday which was a bummer. But, we have new valves and water last night. We won't have water again today, Monday and Tuesday.
Son and family are in Nova Scotia and are touring around the province. They were at Peggy's Cove yesterday and sent this picture.
Yes, our grandson is kissing the seagull but I love the scene of the buildings sitting in the water.
Sewing
I started to clean out the sewing room and it is confirmed!! I have brought in more fabric than I have sewn. That has to change.
I started by cleaning out the closet as the painter wants to paint it the same colour as the room.
I was on the road to a great mess and no idea of where to put it. As I sorted and piled, I decided to put it into the living room.
I went through all the garment fabric boxes and made some decisions on it. Most of it I kept and will sew it up. A few pieces will be kept for later on -- the silk/cotton blend and a piece of lovely cotton to muslin a dress for next summer. The rest has to be sewn up over the winter.
The next was the craft fabric and I decided to keep most of it as I did purge it way down last fall. I have a bunch of it on the cutting table to make simple items so am happy with that decision. Those went out into the living room.
Then I hit the patterns for another round. I have patterns to go and then organized the ones to keep. They are now in the living room.
I was so tired doing all that work, I had a nap. I am not finished as there is still fabric in the sewing room, books to look through, and other stuff to be put away. The garbage and recycle did get taken out.
Today
The Spousal Unit has to go to have a biopsy done on his back and then the rest of the day will be spent cleaning up the sewing room. When done, the Spousal Unit can take down the valance over the window and fix it up. It will be nice to see it gone as it made a huge difference in the guest room.
Until tomorrow (if I'm not missing in the mess)....................
We have been having some sunny, summer weather the past few days. It is to be warmer this weekend which is great for people on vacation but bad for fires. We are drying out rapidly.
Lifestyle
The Spousal Unit had a rough day this week. He felt off and tired. I personally think he got over heated, sweat like crazy and ended up with a bit of heat exhaustion. He is feeling much better again and is doing things in the coolness of the morning.
Our street looks like a horse trail and is very dusty. Though they water it several times a day, the dust still is floating in the air. There has been no water during the day since Monday and we expect it will continue until Friday afternoon. I will have to do laundry early and late on my days off this week.
My weight is continuing to go down hill. I have now lost 21.6 pounds and am feeling so much better. Donna, I am glad to have inspired you to join Weight Watchers. I have found that portion control and walking lots on work days have been a key element to weight loss. When I retire, I will have to either join a gym or walk 5 km every day.
Sewing
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| McCalls 6124 |
I am hoping to make this shirt for my next project. I love the versatility of the pattern. Many different lengths and princess seaming. I will probably start off with View C (blue pants) and then do a couple of more lengths. Fabric is to be 100% cotton in a lovely red Santa Fe print.
I will begin cleaning up my sewing room tomorrow. I have chosen to make simple projects such as bags and one doll shirt. Most of the stuff has to be removed from the room which is a pain and I need to figure out how to store it so I can get to certain fabrics and notions. On the up side-- the room will get a good cleaning and some purging.
Today
Is my last day of work before I get Thursday and Friday off. Thursday will be a bit of a write off as the Spousal Unit has to have a biopsy done on his back and we will have no water for clean up. I will grin and bear it.
Until the next time.........................
It was warm and calm yesterday. The high was 33.6C or 95.5F. We sat outside twice in the shade and it was warm out there.
Lifestyle
It was quiet on our street yesterday. No equipment moving other than the watering truck. It starts again tomorrow for five days.
We were out twice yesterday. The first for groceries, the second a trip to the book store. The Spousal Unit got 3 books and I got one. We used a gift card, got a gift card, and paid 40 cents for our purchase. We had a chuckle over that.
Sewing
I pushed on and finished the vest by 4 p.m.
I spent quite a bit of time on the finish as I wanted it to look good. The buttons are square to match the check.
While making the vest, I worried about not using interfacing in the front facings but it works. I can see wearing it this winter when it is cold. Right now, I sweat when I think of putting it on. Glad I made it a size smaller.
Today
I work 8 hours -- 3 hours by myself doing books and then on the floor when the store is open for 5 hours. Discounting and ordering will probably be the name of the game.
Until the next time.............................
It was warm yesterday with a high of 32.9C or 91F. It hit you in the face when you walked outside. One thing we did notice was how dark it was at 9 p.m. last night. It means fall is creeping up on us.
Lifestyle
It was a hub bub of activity on our street yesterday. They dug up the waterlines at three houses (including ours) and it was quite the process.
The Spousal Unit is happy watching what is going on and talking to the guys. It is good to see him smiling all the time.
I had a good day at work yesterday. I spent some time discounting items, helping customers, counting patterns, and doing a trims order. I finished up at 8:45 p.m. The three ladies on that shift got the store cleaned up and we all left happy.
Sewing
I picked out all the under stitching on the vest and gave it a good pressing. The first armhole was finished with a bias strip and the second one is ready to be topstitched.
Hem facings, button holes and buttons and it is done. I'm loving it.
I was gifted seven doll patterns and some fur yesterday. I am going to make one doll a winter coat with jeans and top for winter wear in the store. That will be fun.
Today
I am off work and have to shop, sew, and do laundry.
It got to 30.6C or 87F yesterday. That is about 8C cooler than last year. It is suppose to be in the mid 30C for the next few days which will help the fruit and vegetables ripen nicely.
Lifestyle
Our part of the street is being ripped up and we will be without water for the better part of the day. The sewer, water, and storm drains are being upgraded prior to the road being rebuilt and paved. The Spousal Unit loves to sit outside and watch the machinery and the workers love to talk to him. A win-win situation.
We got the first board up in the guest room yesterday. Putting the wall back together where the valance was has begun. When completed, the sewing room is next on the list. When all four rooms are done, a friend will come in to do the painting.
The weight continues to drop off. This morning I am down a total of 20.7 pounds in 5.5 weeks. My last A1C was in the good range (5.9) and my next one is done in September. I hope it is down a bit more.
Yesterday was a rough day for me. I was starving, cranky, and emotional. I could have eaten all day long. But I didn't. I am fine today.
Sewing
I sewed on the vest for the vast majority of the day. I have some under stitching to remove, a pleat to stitch down, and the arm and hem facings to put on. It will then be ready for buttonholes and buttons.
I do like it enough that I may make it again in the future. This fabric gives it a very casual look which is what I want.
Today
I work the afternoon/evening shift. I hope to have the vest ready for buttons before I go.
Until the next time..................
