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Baroque Pillow

An Envelope Style Pillowcase Pattern

Finished size 25 x 19 inches

Baroque_300_PCwPillow_600

I love satin stitches so naturally I love the Baroque Machine Embroidery Designs. I decided to make this arrangement into a pillow for our bed. It fits a standard size bed pillow. The green fabric matches our down blanket, sheets, etc. The back of the pillowcase is an overlapping envelope style.

Notions

Fabric 1 yard of 60” fabric - I used home dec fabric. It’s fairly heavy weight cotton with a lovely sheen. It is woven such that it looks like buffalo plaid. I love this fabric. The woven design made it easy to apply the trim evenly.
3 yards ½” decorative trim - The trim I used is a 3 yard reel I purchased from Hobby Lobby a few years back - because I like it. It is rayon multi colored ribbon stitched in the center with the ribbon loops folded on either side. It matches the green fabric and embroidery threads perfectly, plus has a gold in it as well.
Matching thread
For the embroidery

1 layer medium weight permanent stabilizer
Baroque Machine embroidery designs
Embroidery threads - colors of your choice
Bobbin thread of your choice - I use Wonderfil prewound bobbins #80 polyester thread
Follow the PDF instructions that accompany the designs to sew the embroidery

Instructions

Cut out the front fabric 26 length x 20 wide inches - see Diagram A
Cut out 2 pieces for the back 17 length x 20 wide inches - see Diagram B
Use ½” seam allowances throughout

The Back

On the 2 back pieces, turn down ½” along the 20” side and press it down.
Turn under 3” and press again.
At the sewing machine use a straight stitch to sew down the hem.
See Diagram B

Diagram A

Baroque_300_PC_600

Diagram A on the actual pillow

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable."

- L. Frank Baum

Lay down the front piece right side up
Lay one of the back pieces over the front right side down with the 3” hem in the center.
Align it’s cut edge along the cut edge of the left side of the front piece.
Repeat with the other back piece aligning it with the right edge of the front piece.
The two back pieces should overlap in the middle about 5 inches.
See Diagram B
Pin the overlap in place top, bottom, and middle.
Set the back aside.

Diagram B

Baroque_300_pillowback_600

Diagram B on the actual pillow

Making a guide for the decorative trim

To make placing the trim easier, I drew lines around the front piece ¾” from the cut edge of the fabric. If you choose a wider trim you will need to place it further than ¾” from the edge.
Place the trim on that line and pin in place.
See Diagram A
For a little added interest, I played with the corners until I found a shape I liked. Same with the points in between the corners. Following the lines of the blocks in the fabric made alignment of these decorative shapes a breeze.
It took about 45 mins to pin it on in the layout you see in the photos.
Depending on the trim you select, sew it to the fabric following the lines you drew. To my surprise the presser foot of the machine did not scoot it or rock off/on each side.
I zig-zagged it on with settings 1.5 mm wide x 2 mm length. I did use matching embroidery thread in the top.

After sewing on the trim I had about 2” left over from the 3 yards. Whew!

Baroque_300_Pillow_corner_500

Baroque_300_Pillowcase_point_500

Putting it all together

Lay the front piece on the table right side up
Lay the back pieces (already pinned together) over the front piece right side down.
Align all 4 sides.
Pin all around the pillowcase.
At the machine use a straight stitch to sew all around the case with a ½” seam allowance. Sew it with the front side of the pillowcase on top so you can see the stitching where the trim is located. You don’t want to sew over that.
Sew the corners a second time about 1” on either side.
Trim the corners
Turn right side out.

Finishing

Optional tools to use at the ironing board

Wool mat - it does a wonderful job of not flattening the embroidery and preventing seam allowances from showing on the outside of the project
Steam Iron
Dritz EZY metal hem tool - a great tool for hems and here a great tool to push out and hold in place the seam while being steamed
Tailors Clapper or Tailors Clapper Point Press - a tailoring tool and works great at holding in the heat for a longer lasting press

At the ironing board

You will need to get the seam pushed out and pressed so it is flush with the edge of the pillow case.

Lay the pillowcase over the wool mat front side down.
Place the metal EZY tool inside the case.
Place it up against the seam with the seam allowance under it.
Push it out toward the seam until the seam is flush. Hold it in place and steam press.

Be careful, the metal EZY tool will cause the steam to shoot out towards you.

Remove the iron and place the wooden press over the seam for about 20 seconds.
Repeat all around the case.
Let it cool
Insert the pillow form.

All done!

As always I would love to see your projects. Feel free to share them on my Facebook group or email them to me to add to the website.

Happy Sewing,

Laura

Laura Waterfield

Laura’s Sewing Studio

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