Ampersand Applique Pillow

It’s starting to look like I’m only capable of sewing envelope pillows.  While I am a little fixated on pillow-sewing, there are a couple of reasons:

A. I'm teaching my applique class this week and I'm certain that some will not understand the mustache pillow.  So, for the non-mustache loving sewists, I've created an ampersand applique pillow.

B.  I am going to be teaching a class called Absolute Beginning Sewing and the envelope pillow is one of the lessons. I'm also teaching this to my church sewing club.

Meet the Ampersand Applique Pillow

  

Supply List:
 

1 {18” x 18”} Pillow Form
1 1/4 yard of a plain medium-weight cotton fabric such as Twill
1/2 yard of contrasting medium weight cotton fabric {for the ampersand}
1/2 yard Fusible Webbing {Steam a Seam 2 or WonderUnder}
Coordinating Thread

Tools:
Scissors
Pins
Tape
Sewing Machine, Iron, Ironing Board
Yardstick or Quilter’s Ruler
Optional: Cutting Mat and Rotary Cutter

Step One:  The Pillow Front
 

Choose your pillow form.

I'm working with an 18" x 18" pillow form.  You can find these at Joann's and Hobby Lobby {check for sales or coupons}.  The applique for this project will also fit a 16" x 16" pillow.
 


Choose your pillow fabric

I am using a canvas drop cloth from Home Depot for my pillow.  I've bleached and neutralized it before beginning my project.  If you want to make this project for gifts or to sell at craft shows, this is your best option because it looks kind of linen-y but costs kind of cotton-y.
 
Otherwise, a nice cotton twill will work just fine.
 

Step 2:  Cutting out the Pillow Front


Cut a square for your pillow front that is 1" greater in length and 1" greater in width than the pillow form.  I cut out a piece that is 19" x 19" since my pillow form is 18" x 18".   Be sure it is square.




Step 3:  The Pillow Back


Since this is an Envelope Pillow, you are going to need a piece that is a little bit wider for your pillow back.  To make the envelope part, follow this simple formula:  Add 1" to the length and 5" to the width.

For our pillow, that means cutting out a piece of fabric that is 19" x 23" {because my pillow form is 18" x 18" and 18 + 5 = 23}.

Once you have your pillow back cut out, find the center 11.5" from the side and draw a cutting line with a pencil.

Now, cut the pillow back in half on the cutting line.  This will leave you with two pieces that are 19" x 11.5".

OPTIONAL STEP:  Finishing the Raw Edges

***If you have a serger, you may want to consider serging around the raw edges of your pillow front and your pillow back pieces.  The drop cloth fabric tends to unravel and stretch.   This additional step will make attaching the front and back easier because you won't be dealing with lots of unruly threads.  If you don't own a serger, this can be done with a wide zigzag stitch.  

Or, you can skip this step.

You will now need to finish the edges that form the 'envelope' for your pillow back. 
Fold the long edge (the side that is 19") under 1/4" and press.
 

Turn under a second time and press.
 


Stitch down the folded edge using a 2.5mm stitch length.
 


Repeat on the other pillow back piece.
 
Set your pillow front and pillow back pieces aside in order to work on the ampersand applique.

Step 4:  Ampersand Applique
 
I've drawn a pdf ampersand for you to use.  You can find it here. Once you are ready to print be sure to hit either ‘None’ or ‘No Scaling’ in the Scale to Paper Size print dialog box.
 

 
Trim away the excess margins on each of the pages.
 
Line up the matching arrows and generously tape the pages together. It is more important to make sure the design matches up.
 

Cut out the ampersand design.
 


REVERSE THE DIRECTION OF THE AMPERSAND, and trace the design onto the smooth side of a fusible web product like Steam A Seam 2 or WonderUnder.  Then, rough-cut around the design. 
 
It is important to leave a margin around the traced design. Once the fusible web is transferred to the fabric and then trimmed, you will have a cleaner cut-line and less fabric fraying.
 


Place the ampersand, web (or rough) side down, to the wrong size of your fabric.   With a hot, dry iron, press for 5-8 seconds.  Let cool. 
 
HINT:  If you are new to applique, I recommend that you put a clean tea towel or a sheet of parchment paper over the design.  This will prevent you from accidentally getting gooey fusible web on the surface of your iron.
 

Cut out the ampersand on the drawing lines.

This is what the front of your design should look like.  Notice those clean edges.
 


Here is the ampersand back with the smooth paper-backing ready to be peeled off. Set aside.
 

Step 5:  Appliqueing Ampersand to Pillow Front
 
Lay the pillow front onto a flat surface and, using a yardstick or quilter's ruler, find the center.
 



Center the ampersand design on the Pillow Front using a yardstick or quilter’s ruler. Using a cutting mat for this step will help you better line up your design.




Pin to hold and trace around the design with a water soluble marker. This will show you where to place the ampersand once you’ve removed the paper backing.
 


Lift the ampersand from the pillow front and carefully peel off the paper backing, revealing the fusible web.
 


Place the fusible web side of ampersand onto the pillow front inside the tracing.  It is very important to make sure that the ampersand is centered and straight.

Pin in place to hold.
 


Fuse the ampersand to the pillow front using a hot, dry iron.
 

You have several choices for stitching your ampersand to the pillow top.
 
I've used a contrasting heavy weight thread {12 wt. by Sulky} and a straight stitch to secure the ampersand.  All purpose thread will also work.  

I recommend a straight stitch because there are so many curved edges in this design.
 


Don’t forget the inside edges!
 

OPTIONAL: If you prefer covering the raw edge, you may want to use a zigzag stitch to secure the design. If you decide to use a zigzag, be sure to sew very slowly around the rounded edges.
 
Using a water-filled spray bottle, spritz the Pillow Top to remove the water-soluble marker.
 

Step 6:  Making the Envelope Pillow
 
On a flat surface, lay out the pillow front with the ampersand design facing up.  With right sides together, lay the left pillow back piece on top of pillow front, matching the left corners. 

Pin to hold.
 


Next, with right sides together, place the right side of pillow back on top of pillow front.  This piece will overlap the left side of pillow back.
 

Using a 1/2" seam allowance, stitch around the entire pillow.  Turn pillow right side out and press.
 


Topstitch a 1/2” seam around the pillow perimeter to create a flange.

Slip the pillow form into the envelope opening in the back…
 

...and enjoy.