DIY Network

Sweet Memories: Vintage Memory Pillow Fabrics that hold special memories can make special pillows. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-139

Rae Nester makes a pillow using reverse appliqué with a variety of vintage fabrics.

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	Vintage Memory Pillow
	Figure A

The concept for this pillow is to gather old clothing and other materials that hold special meaning to you and reuse them in a modern patchwork design. This is a great way to do something with all the clothes you'll never wear again (but can't bring yourself the throw away) and preserve the great memories they hold. For one example, Rae Nester used several pieces of vintage fabric; an old suit jacket, tea towels, a silk tie and a sheet. But the possibilities are endless: you could use your old prom dress, a favorite T-shirt, sweaters, tablecloths, etc.

Materials:

a collection of vintage fabrics, old clothing and other such items to be reconstructed (figure A)
lightweight double-sided fusible web
pillow form (choose a size based on the chosen pattern or make your own)
patterns for appliqué
thread
sewing machine or hand sewing needle
cutting tool: scissors or rotary cutter
craft knife
cutting mat
iron
pins
pencil
straightedge

The technique is simple piecework and a reverse appliqué technique with fusible web. You can also vary the size and shape based on your source materials. This pillow consists of five panels sewn together on the front and two overlapping panels on the back to allow for easy removal of the cover for washing.

Chose the pattern and cut the pattern pieces:
Prepare the fabrics (items such as clothing may need to be deconstructed first) and lightly press them so they are free of any wrinkles. Rae Nester chose four different fabrics with varied texture and pattern to make a visually interesting pillow. Next sequence the fabrics for the desired layout and cut pieces out to pattern specifications.

Figure B

Transfer appliqué the pattern to the fusible web:
Cut a piece of fusible web to the size specified for the pattern. Using a pencil, trace the design of your selected pattern artwork on the paper backing of the fusible web (figure B). A light box or window can aid in the tracing process, but remember that the artwork is reversed from how it will look in the completed piece.

Fuse the fusible web to appliqué panel:
Use a towel or piece of fabric to protect the ironing surface, and set the iron according to the directions that came with the fusible web. Lay the appliqué panel fabric on the towel wrong side up, and lay the fusible web right side down on top of it, making sure it is centered and straight. Lightly tack the fusible web to the fabric, then cover with a pressing cloth. Then, following the directions that came with the fusible web, adhere it to the felt with the iron. Leave the paper backing attached.

Figure C

Cut out the pattern:
Using the pencil drawing you made on the fusible web as your guide, cut out the design from the fabric (figure C). Remember, you are making a reverse appliqué, which means the design is actually the negative space cut from the outer fabric, revealing the fabric underneath. So you want to makes sure to keep the fabric free of any stray cuts and keep all the cuts inside the lines. You don't need to worry about keeping the part you're cutting away neat.

Figure D

Fuse the cut appliqué panel to the backing:
Lay the backing fabric for the appliqué panel right side up on the protected ironing surface. Remove the paper backing from the felt pillow cover and place it right side up (fusible web down) on top of the backing fabric (figure D). Make sure the two pieces of fabric are squared up and the cut portion is lying correctly. Then cover with damp pressing cloth and press as stated in directions that came with the fusible web to adhere the felt to the backing fabric.

Figure E

Stitch front panels together:
Pin the front panels with right sides together (figure E). Using a straight stitch and a 1/2" seam allowance, sew them together. Press open seams.

Edge back panels:
For the back panels you want to put a finished edge on the edges where they overlap, so you'll sew a simple hem. Along the short edge of the fabric, fold the fabric over 1/2" and press. Fold the fabric over again, this time 1", and press. Then stitch along the hem 3/4" in from the edge to complete the hem. Repeat with the second panel.

Stitch it all together:
Pin the assembled and sewn front panel to the back panels with right sides together. The back panels should overlap about 2". Using a straight stitch and a 1/2" seam allowance, sew around all four edges (figure F). Turn cover right side out (figure G) and insert the pillow form.

Figure F

Figure G