Plump pillows welcome a lazy
afternoon of lounging.

Rectangular Pillow

• 1/4 yard of Fabric L
• 1/2 yard of Fabric M
• 3/8 yard of Fabric K
• 1/8 yard of Fabric D
• 36 x 33-inch piece of Fabric N for custom pillow form
• Polyester fiberfill
• 4 x 1-1/2-inch-diameter covered buttons
• Point turner

Go to Modern Pillows for fabric color key

 

Buttons and a contrasting "collar"
add interest to this pillow.

1. All measurements include 1/2-inch seam allowances unless otherwise noted.
2. From Fabric L, cut one 8 x 34-1/2-inch strip for the center front strip.
3. From Fabric M, cut two 8 x 34-1/2-inch strips for the left and right middle front strips.
4. From Fabric D, cut two 8 x 34-1/2-inch strips for the left and right end strips.
5. From Fabric K, cut one 11 x 34-inch strip for the flap.
6. With right sides facing and raw edges aligned, sew the long edges of the center front strip to one long edge each of the left and right middle front strips. Press the seam allowances toward the middle strips. Topstitch close to the seam line on the middle front strips.
7. With right sides facing and new edges aligned, sew the long edges of the end strips to the middle strips in the same manner as above. Press the seam allowances toward the end strips and topstitch close to the seam line on the end strips.
8. Press the long top edge of the pieced strip over 1 inch to the wrong side. Press the edge over itself again. Stitch close to the inner-fold edge.
9. Fold the pieced strip in half lengthwise, right sides facing and aligning the end strip edges. Position the finished top edge 1/2-inch down from the unfinished back edge. Taper the bottom corners along the side seam only (do not taper the fabric along the folded edge). Sew the side seam. Press the seam allowances open. Turn the cover right side out.
10. With right sides facing and aligning the long edges, fold the flap in half. Sew the short side seams. Trim the bulk from the corners and press the seam open. Turn the flap right side out.
11. With right sides facing, align one unfinished flap edge to the unfinished pillow back edge. Press the seam allowances toward the flap. Turn the remaining flap edge under along the seam line, enclosing the pillow/flap seam. Machine- or hand-sew the opening closed.
12. To make the custom-fit pillow form, fold the 36 x 33" Fabric N piece in half, matching the 36-inch-long edges. Sew one short edge and the long edge. Press under the remaining short edge 1/2-inch to the wrong side. Turn right side out.
13. Firmly stuff the cover with polyester fiberfill. Machine- or hand-sew the opening closed.
14. Slip the pillow form into the cover. Using embroidery floss, sew the front to the back along the upper edges. Tie the floss into knotted bows for easy removal of the form when laundering the pillow, as shown in the illustration, above right.
15. Cover four 1-1/2-inch-diameter buttons with Fabric E according to the manufacturer's instructions. Using a hand-sewing needle, attach the covered buttons to the flap.