I feel like I am messing up my patchwork pillowcases - help needed
 

Hi! I'm very artistic but know nothing or very little about sewing and have embarked on a project to make a whole bunch of patchwork pillowcases with beautiful coloured patterns! I'm very excited but feel like I'm making a mess of the entire project because of rookie mistakes and I need experienced guidance. Where I live there are no experience seamstresses/tailors with patchwork experience (I am in Central Africa) so no one to turn to.

<article class="gmail-forum-content-medium-font" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">I'm making 16-patch pillowcases for 16x16inch inserts.

One tutorial I read said cut 16-inch panels, because you want your pillowcases to be snug. So I went ahead and cut Hundreds of patchwork squares 4.5 inches square (losing 1/4 inch for the seam chain-sewing). Yes, I know. I jumped in with both feet, and eyes closed. I think I got really excited about learning to use the rotary cutter and self-healing mat.

Now, I'm really worried that once I sew the 16-inch panels together, I'll lose even more seam allowance and they'll be closer to 15-inches and will be too small for the inserts.

I'm having a very horrible moment of triple doubt...

1. Should I have planned for 16.5 or 17-inch inserts?

2. Should I have planned for bigger patchwork squares?

3. Should the patchwork squares that are on the edge, where there is a seam, have to be even bigger than the patchwork squares at the center of the pillow-case panel?

Sorry for all the newbie questions.

Looking at YouTube tutorials I realised there are even special patchwork rulers like 2.5x6 or 4.5x9 or even square ones!! If I had known!!

I really hope someone can help alleviate my anxiety at messing everything up before I even start. Someone I asked suggested to make a border like a log cabin quilt, and down the rabbit-hole of Google searches I went and I'm even more confused now.

I really appreciate any advice you can offer, dispense, inculcate.







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Welcome to the board. You will learn so much here. With 4 1/2” squares and scant 1/4” seam allowance (one thread less than 1/4” to allow for bulk when pressing) you will end up with a 4” finished square. Making 4 across and four down will give you finished 16” (16 1/2” unfinished). A lot depends on the thickness of your insert. You can make one and see how that works out. If it is too tight, try making your seam allowances 1/8”. You would have to decrease your stitch length and really line up the edges well so you are sure you grab all the fabric. You could also sew with the 1/4” seam allowance and add a border all around. Good luck.

You could also add sashing between your 4.5 " squares to enlarge the finished square.

As mentioned above, sew the squares together...but rather than use an 1/8"seam, which could ravel....if needed to fit pillow insert, I would opt for a border, oh, maybe 1" wide then sew with the normal 1/4" seam...solid fabric would frame those squares beautifully.......have fun......keep checking YouTube for tutorials on all aspects of quilting, you will learn much!

Hello & welcome to the board!
Many quilters will relate to your jumping in with both feet!
As I understand it, you have cushion inserts that are 16X16", and have cut 4.5" patches. You are planning on arranging them in 4 rows of 4. You have actually cut them correctly. In quilting, we use a 1/4" seam allowance. A cut 4.5" patch, if perfectly sewn, will come out to a perfect 4" square. From what you are saying it sounds like your seam is a bit too wide so your patches are a bit too small. You have 2 options: either un sew them & re sew with a narrower seam or complete the pieced section and add strips of fabric around the perimeter, creating a border (the log cabin suggestion).
Here's a tutorial on determining the correct seam allowance:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutori...ce-t89997.html

One other thing to check is pressing. You should be pressing as you go. Sometimes you can get a tiny pleat in the seam which will throw off your measurement.

I agree with Geri B. Keep your seam allowance at 1/4 inch and it should fit perfect. If it is too tight add a small border around your block. This will also help if your seams are not kept at 1/4 inch. Can I also suggest you add a backing to the pieces top if you plan to remove the insert for washing. This will keep your fabric from fraying. Enjoy your hobby and show us pictures when you are done

i recently made one with 2 1/2 inch squares. the seam allowances were fine. it fit my 16 inch pillow form. if for some reason your's is too tight, you can add a skinny border around you pillow top. Good luck.

I agree with adding a border, since you have already cut the squares and I assume you already have the forms.

My suggestion is also to actually measure the insert. Use a tape measure and measure all the way around the form. Add at least 1/2 inch to give it a little bit of give, as you want it snug, not tight when it's finished. Divide that number in two to see how big you actually need your patchwork to be.

I would not do anything less than a 1/4" seam, either.

My favorite youtube video about piecing is this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ3vzVfrKIU

She has a whole series on quilitng: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ3vzVfrKIU

bkay

Welcome to the board! You have some good suggestions here. Your enthusiasm is great, but as you have learned, it's a good idea to finish a test block for your project before you cut out multiples. Go ahead and finish one 16-patch and see how it fits. If it needs to be bigger, try to decide how much you need and add a border. Remember you will be bordering all four sides, so if you think you need two more inches, the borders would be one inch on each side. You also need seam allowance, so your strips would be cut 1.5" wide.

Do post some pictures - we love them! And come back if you have more questions, newbie or otherwise. There are lots of helpful people on this board.

Welcome!
Yes - IMO, adding a border can solve a multitude of issues, also known as Creative Opportunities! =)
Add a wider border than needed - a 1 1/2 or 2" order on all sides. Test is on the insert, then you can trim it down for a snugger fit before your final stitches.
Good Luck!
Donna Mc