DIY Network

Sweet Memories: Simple Fused Pillow Special fabric peek through cutouts in this clever pillow. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-139

Rae Nester returns with a simple fused pillow. It's similar to the more elaborate memory pillow in that it allows you to reuse special fabrics and scraps that have a special meaning.

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Simple Fused Pillow

Materials:

2 16" square pieces of felt (can be recycled wool felt from a sweater or bolt felt from a fabric store)
several small coordinating fabric scraps of varying sizes
1 15"-square piece of lightweight double-sided fusible web
fiber stuffing
pattern for appliqué
thread
sewing machine or hand sewing needle
cutting tool: scissors or rotary cutter
x-acto knife
cutting mat
iron
pins
pencil
straightedge

This pillow uses a reverse appliqué technique with fusible web and is sewn together with a simple straight stitch and exposed seams.

Chose the pattern and cut fabric to pattern specs:
Prepare the fabrics (items such as clothing may need to be deconstructed first) and lightly press them so they are free of any wrinkles. Arrange the fabric scraps in the desired layout and cut pieces out to pattern specifications.

Figure A

Transfer appliqué pattern to fusible web:
Use a pencil to trace the design of the selected pattern artwork on the paper backing of the fusible web (figure A). 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 pillow front:
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 felt 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 felt, then cover with 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 B

Cut out the pattern:
Using the pencil drawing you made on the fusible web as your guide, cut out the design from the felt cover (figure B). 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 and keep the felt free of any stay 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 C
	Figure D

Fuse the fabric scraps to the felt cover:
Lay the cut fabric scraps out right side up on the protected ironing surface in the correct arrangement. Make sure the fabric pieces overlap slightly and there are no gaps between them. Remove the paper backing from the felt pillow cover and place it right side up (fusible web down) on top of the fabric pieces you laid out. Make sure the colors are showing through as you planned; adjust the layout if needed. Then cover with damp pressing cloth and press as stated in the directions that came with the fusible web to adhere the felt to the backing fabric (figure C).

Sew and stuff pillow:
Pin the pillow front to the back with wrong sides together; because felt doesn't fray, the exposed seams will keep a sharp edge. Using a straight stitch and a 1/2" seam allowance, sew around all four sides of the pillow (figure D), leaving about 4" on one side to put the stuffing in. Stuff the pillow with the fiber stuffing to desired fluffiness and sew up the gap.