Little Crafter and I share a few important mutual loves, namely Starbucks, art projects, and the beach!! Now that the weather is warm and summer is headed our way, we’re both getting impatient for our Myrtle Beach vacation. To help us think beach-y thoughts while we’re still here at home, I thought it would be fun to surprise him with a beach ball throw pillow. {It worked!} Here’s how I made it, with the help of “Cammie” and some sewable fabric interfacing I received from Silhouette.
BEACH BALL APPLIQUÉ PILLOW COVER
Materials:
– Assorted fabric {I used blue, white, red, and yellow}
– Sewable fabric interfacing
– Scissors
– Tape Measure
– Sewing machine, pins, thread
– Iron
– Silhouette cutting machine, cutting mat, and software
STEP 1: Cut pillow cover fabric.
I decided to make it “envelope” style, so here’s what I needed. My pillow form was 12×12, so I needed to cut one piece that was an inch larger all around, {13×13} and one piece that was the same length on one side and four extra inches on the other {13×17}. Then, I cut the 13×17 piece in half. The square piece becomes the front, and the other two will become the envelope flaps in the back {you’ll see}!
STEP 2: Attach interfacing and cut decorative fabric.
My design was a beach ball from the Silhouette online store. In my software, I ungrouped the pieces and decided what colors to cut each one. I followed the package directions to iron the interfacing to each piece of fabric, place it on the cutting mat, and have Cammie cut out the various parts of the ball for me.
Here, she’s getting ready to cut the large white circle that forms the base of the ball.
Then, she cut the red piece, followed by the yellow, purple, and finally the small blue circle.
STEP 3: Iron pieces in place on the pillow cover front.
I assembled all the cut pieces to make the completed beach ball and ironed them onto the 13×13 square {and each other} according to the directions to hold them in place.
STEP 4: Sew around edges.
If you have a fancy Serger machine, you can obviously use that; I don’t, so I used a zig zag stitch. I sewed carefully around every exposed edge of my appliquéd fabric. This prevents the edges from fraying and also helps to keep the design firmly & permanently secured. I didn’t have any trouble at all sewing through the interfacing, even when there were several layers of fabric on top of each other.
STEP 5: Turn the 13″ edge of each back flap piece down 1″ and iron. Turn down another 1″ and iron, then sew close to the edge to make a finished edge.
STEP 6: Overlap the short sides with the finished edges together on top of the pillow front, right sides together. Sew all the way around with 1/4″ – 1/2″ seam.
STEP 7: Turn and insert pillow form!
I am absolutely thrilled with how the finished product turned out, and it seems I’m not the only one…
Want to make one of your own? I’ve got some great news!
Silhouette is offering a special promotion now through May 31 on their cutting machines and fabric interfacing!
If you already have your own “Cammie” or “Portia,” you can get the Fabric Interfacing Bundle, which includes the two kinds of interfacing {one that you sew, like I did, and the other that’s no sewing required}, PLUS a fabric cutting blade and a $25 download card, all for just $29.99! If you’ve been wanting a cutting machine, now’s the perfect time; you can get the machine plus the interfacing, the fabric blade, and either a download card or cutting mat for a special promotional price. The Portrait bundle is just $129.99, and the Cameo bundle is just $269.99!
To take advantage of these special prices while they last, visit the promo page and enter the code
ARTSY at checkout!
Hugs & Glitter,
Eva Scott says
That little ball is seriously so cute!
Tawna Thompson says
So cute! You make things look so easy! If only I could sew! 🙁
Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects says
I can’t wait to try fabric on my Silhouette. I love applique, it’s going to be SO MUCH EASIER now! Cute pillow!!
[email protected] says
How adorable (both LC’s face AND the pillow!) I’m going to have to beg for a Silhoutte for my birthday.
Melanie @ bear rabbit bear says
cute!
Megan says
This is Soooo CUTE, Amy!! I LOVE how it turned out!
Kadie says
Great job Amy! I love the beach-ball nice and summery.
Emily says
Love the pillow, but love LC’s face even more! So cute…. I need a Cameo!
~Emily
A Tossed Salad Life
Cristina Garay says
Adorable!
Jamie says
this is too cute!!! perfect for summer 🙂
[email protected] says
oh my – that turned out awesome and so cheerful for summer!!! 🙂
Dear Emmeline says
cute! I soooo NEED a silhouette!
Megan Vaughn says
Such an adorable project!
Vanessa @ See Vanessa Craft says
Love!! I hope you’ll link this up to our Summer Camp series: http://seevanessacraft.com/2013/06/summer-camp-link-up-your-summer-crafts-activities/
Jackie x says
Amazing 3D effect – now have to work out the pattern pieces. Love it.