quilted pillows
 

I have made quilted tops for pillows measuring 20X20, planed to trim down, have pillow forms 18X18 l will use 1/4 seam. My question is -- do I trim to 18 1/2? Or do they need to be left larger? If yes, how much larger? Have never used pillow forms before.

I would start larger, maybe even 19", you can always trim smaller. You might want a bigger seam allowance too - on a quilt, the 1/4 inch seam is not subject to the same direction of stress that a pillow side seam might be? Just my thoughts, I've not actually made pillow covers.

Here are 2 tutorials I have saved to refer to- hope they help:
http://www.designsponge.com/2010/03/...w-pillows.html
http://sewing.about.com/od/freeproje...lopepillow.htm

Have you tried them as is? I like my pillow covers not overly stuffed and bulgy, so I would probably use a 20 inch square to cover an 18 inch pillow. Much depends on how firm and dimensional the pillow forms are, in addition to your personal taste, so people on the internet can't give you a firm answer down to the inch.

Thanks for the information! I will give both a try.

Pillow covers normally call for a 1/2 inch seam. If adding a zipper that side would be turned under 3/4 inch seam. If you want a plump pillow you need to make the cover 2 inches smaller than the insert. If you have not pre-washed your fabrics I would go with a 19 inch finished cover to allow for shrinkage.

To prevent "dog ears".....measure each corner down a 1/2 inch & 3 inches. Draw lines from one corner to the next. The lines will cross. This site shows you: http://playfulstitching.wordpress.co...illow-corners/

Thank you for posing these tutorial's for all of us to learn from. I always need to learn extra tid-bit's.
:D :D :D :D

Great gift idea, and cool tutes! Who would have thought the pillows with the funny angles Feather3 posted would have come out square? But it looks like they do reduce the extra fabric most pillows have at the corners. I've known to make the pillow covers smaller, and it really works to make a nice puffy pillow. But now we have even more good information!

Make a quick sample of solid fabric before you trim down. I like my pillows floppy and not overstuffed. You may want to acquire the pillow forms first.

youtube has tutorials on making envelope pillows and they say to make them 1" larger than the pillow form

The size of your top will depend on how "stuffed" you like your pillows. I like a firmer pillow so I would make my top smaller. Just remember you can always make the top smaller so start larger and cut down as needed. As for seams, I would definitely use more than 1/4 inch, double stitch, and finish the seam edges. In my house the pillows are not there just for decoration.

Lots of helpful info. I've always just muddled thru when making pillows but it's not something I've done often. Might give it another try now.

I also like my pillow covers a bit looser so there is less strain on the seams during use and so they are easier to remove for washing. I usually measure from the center side of the pillow form to the opposite center seam then add seam allowance plus an extra inch.

I have a bit of experience making throw pillows. I always make the pillow form 1" all around larger than the finished top. This way, when the form is inserted, it will push on all sides and take care of empty corners. Use a 1/2" seam allowance for the top and in your case, the top should finish at 17".

One other thing I do is grade my corners, i.e., starting about 2-1/2 to 3" for the corner trim toward the corner removing about 3/4" when you reach the corner. Do this on all corners. I actually have a template that I use just for this purpose.) I do not like to see empty "rabbit ears" on pillows. Just me.