Thursday, January 19, 2012

Linen Pillow with Added Flat Flange

A few months back one of my designers found a really cute wood sofa that just needed a little re-styling.  She painted the wood frame black and bought some linen fabric to redo the seat and back cushions.  She also wanted two rectangle end pillows for the arms.  We decided to do an added flange instead of welt around her cushions.  They came out so stinking cute!  Unfortunately this was before I started this blog, so I don't have pictures of the finished sofa with the seat and back cushions.  But  recently she called to say she needed me to make the arm pillows a little bigger.  I was happy to oblige her and thought this would be a perfect time for an added flat flange tutorial.  So follow along as I re-make these arm pillows for her adorable wood sofa.

As I said, she used 100% linen!  After much discussion and factoring in that she has several dogs that she has rescued over the years and they LOVE to take full advantage of her comfy furniture, we decided it was best to pre-shrink the linen.  This way she can take the cushion covers off and throw them through the wash.  We also discussed the fact that all the wrinkles from washing might not press out.  She was OK with this possibility.  Turns out we both loved the look with the wrinkles.  It gave the cushions a more relaxed and natural feel.  Here's a picture of the finished pillow.  I took pictures of it with some of my pillows since I wouldn't have an opportunity to snap pictures of it on her sofa.

So the new arm pillows I made were to finish at 23 1/2"x17 1/2" with an added 1/2" flat flange.
I cut my fronts 24 1/2"x18 1/2" to allow for a 1/2" seam allowance.
I cut my backs 25 1/2"x19 1/2" ( I always cut my backs 1" larger than my fronts.
For the 1/2" flat flanges I cut my fabric on the bias.  I cut my bias strips 2" wide.  You can find instructions for bias strips here:  http://sew-passionate.blogspot.com/2012/01/easy-bias-strips-and-covered-welt-cord.html
Just make sure you cut these bias strips 2" instead of the 1 5/8" for covered welt.
Step1.  Flat Flange
Once your bias strips are cut and sewn together, fold them in half along the long edge and press.  Pin every 6-8".
Starting at the center bottom of the pillow front, pin the flange to the pillow.  When you get the the corner fold under 1/2" just short of the corner by 1/2".  Clip into the seam allowance of the flange and pivot around the corner and form another 1/2" fold under.  This forms what is called a butterfly corner.
Continue pinning the flange in this manner all the way around your pillow front.
Cut the ending flange edge 1/2" past the center of the pillow allowing for a 1/2" seam to join the 2 edges.  Unfold and open up the flange and stitch this small seam.
Finger press the seam open and fold the flange in half again, pin to pillow front.  Stitch all around the 4 sides of the pillow, pivoting at the corners.
Step 2.  Zipper
You can find the instructions for attaching the zipper in this tutorial: http://sew-passionate.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-sew-basic-pillow.html

Step 3.  Clip, Turn and Stuff
Clip the corners diagonally 1/8" away from the stitching.
Turn your pillow right side out and press.
Stuff with your pillow fill, pushing the seam allowances towards the back of the pillow.  This makes the flange stand up more.
Aren't the butterfly corners cute!  They're even cuter on the boxed cushions that were made for the sofa because the boxing makes them stick out more.  Next time I swing by this designers house, I'll have to snap a few pictures so you can really get the look of this sofa and pillows.  The wrinkles of the linen turned out to work with the look.  She actually preferred the look of the linen with the wrinkles and  I have to agree with her, the wrinkled linen did have a really neat look to it. Pin It

29 comments:

  1. really adorable pillows. I've never seen corners like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stevie, So glad you liked the pillows! Not a lot of people know about the added flange and butterfly corners. That's why I thought I would share it. These corners look even cuter on boxed cushions. Do you sew?
      Jules

      Delete
  2. The corners make this pillow - super cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laurel, I agree, the corners make this pillow! Glad you liked it. The added flange with the butterfly corners is a great way to add simple interest.
      Thanks for stopping by, Jules

      Delete
  3. Love this pillow!! TFS and the great tute!! Stopping by from Thirty Handmade Days linky party.

    Here is what I shared this week: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2012/01/hollys-first-coat.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Alisha,
    Glad you liked the pillow tutorial! It's a pretty easy one to make and it has a unique look.
    Thanks for stopping by again, Jules

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great tutorial - can't wait to try it out!

    Visiting from Show and Tell Sat...

    Rhonda @ home.made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rhonda, Glad you liked the tutorial! I'd love to see a pic if you end up trying this tutorial out.
      Thanks for stopping by, Jules

      Delete
  6. Those corners are precious! A small detail makes all the difference. I wanted to let you know I'm passing on the "Liebster Award" to you. Liebster means beloved, favorite, dearest in German. Anyway, here's my post all about it... http://domesticate.blogspot.com/2012/01/sharing-love.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the Lieber award, I want to pass it on to 5 new blogs, but I'm having a hard time finding the code for the button.
      Thanks again, Jules

      Delete
  7. Hello! So nice to meet someone else who loves to sew. Even though I've sewn for more years than I'd like to admit I picked up a few tips from lingering here on your blog. You are very good at your tutorials! Mine always seem to be semi-tutorials! LOL! A friend just recently asked be about the "butterfly" corners on a flanged pillow and I didn't know the term. Thanks so much! Now I do!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sonya, I agree....so nice to meet another sewer! I've also been sewing for many many years and I still pick up new tricks from Pinterest and other bloggers. I hope my tutorials are clear enough that the beginner sewer can follow them. I'm looking forward to sharing some sewing projects with eachother!
    Thanks! Jules

    ReplyDelete
  9. I haven't tried flange trim yet, but I bet I would prefer sewing that over piping. Those butterfly corners are so cute...first time to see that. I'm ready to get out my sewing machine! Thanks for the inspiration.

    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just clicked over to your blog and I'm now following you via email.
      Yes, flat flanges are easier than welt cord, I think flat flanges are cuter too! I'd love to see pics of anything you end up making with flat flanges!
      See you at your link party tomorrow night,
      Jules

      Delete
  10. I was so interested in seeing how the butterfly corners were made since I have seen them on pillows in high-end shops. Thanks for the tutorial. I saw your post over at Lady Bird Lane blog party.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad I could help solve the butterfly corner mystery...they're easy huh? I try to do 2 tutorials a week, so keep checking back.
      Jules

      Delete
  11. Thanks for the great tips! Thank you for sharing this lovely post at Potpourri Friday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your welcome and thanks for being a wonderful host.
      Jules

      Delete
  12. Your welcome and I'll be back this week. Thanks for hosting!
    Jules

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the tutorial! I ordered some new slip-covered furniture from a company that is famous for doing butterfly corners on their slip-covers. I wanted to sew up some additional pillows (they charge astronomical amounts for their pillows, so I only ordered 3) to go with the two new sofas ~ they arrive next Monday! Better get those pillows done! I am hoping to do a 1/4" flat flange with butterfly corners and 1" pleated ruffle. Hope they turn out! (My ruffler attachment is having problems with my too-thick linen, so I am going to do a single layer pleated ruffle and let the edges fray, hope I don't regret that). I'm new to your blog ~ so I am going to have a look around!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Leather furniture repairs and renovation in Surrey. We are trained in all aspects of furniture leather repair, Sofa repairs Surrey, Upholstery repairs Surrey and leather renovation.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?
    top grain leather sofa clearance

    ReplyDelete
  16. As a pillow professional myself, I'm so curious why you cut your pillow backs 1" larger. I've never heard of that before and can't figure out the reason. Do tell!

    ReplyDelete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You have really done great job by sharing the beautiful post. Thanks lot for the informative post. Learn to read more about Pillow boxes for new year

    ReplyDelete