Designs Plus Volume 25: Free Project
Woven Pillows by Joanne Banko
A pair of embroidered woven pillows can spice up any room that needs a fresh new look. Accent the interwoven strips with small quilt designs built into Brother Quattro™ 6000D. Print templates for perfect positioning with Brother PE Design V.8 software, and the InnovEye™ technology built in to the Quattro 6000D™.
Embroidery Products
• Brother Quattro™ 6000D Sewing and Embroidery machine
• Brother PE Design Personal Embroidery Design Software System, Version 8.03
• Brother embroidery design motif #19 from the Quattro™ 6000D
Materials for two pillows
• 1 1/4 yd. 52/54″ wide light green medium weight linen for woven strips
• 1 1/4 yd. 52/54″ wide light blue medium weight linen for woven strips
• Two 19″ squares light green cotton batiste for pillow front lining
• Two 1 3/8″ x 24″ cotton batik bias strips for trim and button loops
• Twenty 3 1/4″ x 18″ lightweight fusible fleece for pillow strips
• 12″ x 16″ lightweight fusible interfacing for stabilizing covered buttons
• Eight 1 1/8″ flat button cover kits from Dritz®
• Two 18″ pillow form
• Spray starch
• Low tack tape
Step 1. At the Computer
Open the Layout and Editing portion of PE Design. Select Option, Design Page Property. Select the 4″ x 4″ hoop. Set up the machine for embroidery. Connect the embroidery machine and computer using the included cable. Select embroidery design motif #19 from the Quattro™ 6000D Brother Exclusives Quilt design menu. Proceed to the sewing screen. Touch the MEMORY key to transfer the design data. From the top menu bar in PE Design, select File, Import. Click on the design. Click Import. (Figure 1)
Note: As an alternative, you can save and import the design data using portable USB media.
Figure 1: From the top menu bar in PE Design, select File, Import. Click on the design. Click Import.
To print a template of the design along with the positioning marker, select File, Print Set Up from the top menu. In the Embroidery Print Mode, select options to print actual size and print the sewing area box and center axis with the Snowman™ Marker. (Figure 2)
Figure 2: In the Embroidery Print Mode, select options to print actual size and print the sewing area box and center axis with the Snowman™ Marker.
Cut out the template around the sewing area box and set aside.
Step 2. Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Cut the following pieces for each of the two pillows:
• Light green
• Five 7″ x 19″ strips for the pillow front
• One 12″ x 19″ piece for the pillow back flap
• Light blue
• Five 7″ x 19″ strips for the pillow front
• One 12″ x 19″ piece for the pillow back flap
Serge finish, or overcast raw edges on each piece. Spray starch all strips until they are stiff to eliminate the need for additional stabilizer.
Step 3. Embroidery Preparation
Using the template printed with the Snowman™ Marker along with the InnovEye™ technology, embroider motifs following these guidelines for positioning. Secure the printed template to fabric with low tack tape, having the center of the Snowman™ Marker indicate the precise center of the design. The selected design is symmetrical. However, it is important to note that the small circle always designates the top of the design. Hoop the fabric with the Snowman™ Marker in the approximate center of the hoop. (Figure 3)
Figure 3: Hoop the fabric with the Snowman™ Marker in the approximate center of the hoop.
Note: As an alternative, you can save and import the design data using portable USB media.
Place the hoop on the machine. Touch the positioning icon. Touch one of the four quadrants. Touch Scan. The machine will scan the area and the InnovEye™ will target the embroidery motif in line with the template, automatically adjusting for any inconsistency during the hooping of the fabric. Remove the template. Stitch each design motif after selecting the icon for a single (uninterrupted), color. (Figure 4)
Figure 4: Stitch each design motif after selecting the icon for a single (uninterrupted), color.
Step 4. Embroidery
Select three green strips to embroider. Using the guidelines in Step 3 for positioning the embroidery with the template, embroider the green strips as follows:
• Strip #1- Embroider a single design motif in the center of the strip.
• Strip #2 and #3- Embroider two design motifs, having the center point of each motif spaced 6″ from the end of each strip. (Figure 5)
Figure 5: Space the center point of these motifs 6″ in from the end of the strip.
Place fusible fleece on the wrong side of each of the strips, both embroidered and plain. Fuse in place, centering the fleece on the wrong side of the strip. Wrap the long edges of each strip to the wrong side, pressing the folded edge.
Note: Each padded strip should have a finished width of 3 1/2″ after pressing. You should have five green strips and five blue strips prepared to weave for each pillow front.
Step 5. Construction
Place the green strips on top of the light green 19″ square pillow front lining. Strips should be evenly spaced on the square, leaving 1/2″ seam allowance free on each side. Pin the strips in place, having the pins at the very end of each strip. Select the blue strips. Begin to weave them in and out of the green, taking care to leave 1/2″ seam allowance at the end of these strips as well. Pin strips securely. Machine baste within the 1/2″ seam allowance. See sequence as a guide for weaving. (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Pin the strips in place, having the pins at the very end of each strip. Select the blue strips. Begin to weave them in and out of the green, taking care to leave 1/2″ seam allowance at the end of these strips as well. Pin strips securely. Machine baste within the 1/2″ seam allowance.
Step 6. Finish
For each pillow, select one green and one blue pillow back flap piece. Press under 1 1/4″ hem along one 19″ edge of each piece. Select one bias strip and sew with 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn bias strip to the right side and press. Cut four lengths of bias, each measuring 4″. Form into loops. Secure to the hemmed edge of the green pillow flap, spacing the loops 4 1/2″ apart across the edge. Topstitch a strip of remaining bias along the folded edge, covering the raw ends of the loops. Overlap and pin the back pieces to finish at 19″ square.
Machine baste. Remove the pins. Place the back right sides together with the woven front. Sew all edges, turn and press. Insert the pillow form.
Cut a 12″ x 16″ remnant of green linen. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side. Cover the button with the interfaced linen following the manufacturer's instructions.
Display your new pillows and prepare for compliments!
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