Diamond 03 - Pillow 1
This is one of my favourite pillow
designs. I designed it in 2003 and it's
been on my sofa in one fabric or
another ever since! Here it is in it's
latest reincarnation, in Woeller
Simply Silk,  colour Warm Brass.  

Download or print this project in
English
The pillow detail

The square buttons were made
using a Dritz Home self covered
button kit.
(available at fabric stores)
Yardage: 1.5 yards
In this example the piping detail is
cut on the bias. If you omit the
trim detail, one yard of fabric is
sufficient.

Diagram 1
Begin by drafting a square measuring 18 x 18 and draw a line from corner to corner.


Diagram 2.
Because all four pieces are symmetrical, only one pattern piece needs to be drafted
with SA. This diagram also illustrates the sewing sequence. Assemble two pieces at a
time, placing the trim in between them. After both halves have been assembled,
sandwich one long piece of trim in between the two halves to create one side of the
pillow.

Once your 1/4 pattern piece has been drafted, continue by adding your SA. In my
example the SA is 1/2". As shown in the photos, even without notches, the pattern
orientation can be identified by the 90 degree angle at the pillow center.
Once the 1/2" SA has been added, you will fold along the sew line and trim the SA as
shown. When two panels are sewn together, you will create a corner, a 90 degree
angle.
*What is SA? See the upholstery tips page.

I cut one side of each pillow in the grain directions shown in diagrams 3 and 4. "The
Pillow Detail" photo illustrates the grain direction shown in diagram 3.

In full photo of pattern piece: Note that the two sides of the pattern differ. This photo
shows the right side before pattern development and the left side after the pattern has
been developed.

The following sequence of photos demonstrates the pattern development process.


Trim
My piping was cut on the bias, 1 1/4" wide. A very fine flat rayon braid was used as the
fill. It measures approx. 1mm thick by 2mm wide and can be seen in the photo below.
For more on piping / welt / trim see the upholstery tips page.


Setting Buttons
Nylon button twine is extremely strong and it is the only thread you should ever use to
tie off buttons.
A button tufting needle, shown, is ready to be drawn through fabric. Due to the seam
bulk created when the four panels have been assembled, the button tufting twine had
to be drawn on either side of the assembled seams, as shown.

In typical situations the needle would be inserted through one point only. Most buttons
also have a longer shank, unlike this plastic example. A longer shank can be set
deeper into the fabric by making a small slit in the fabric, right below the shank. (as
indicated by the red “x”in the photo). This cut allows a button to be drawn deeper into a
fabric, placing more emphasis on the creases.

Drawing the twine through at one point is standard practice; it is only due to the seam
bulk that a modification was made.

Another modification was made to the twine itself. Its original ply was split in three, an
adjustment made to accommodate the delicate silk fabric and its use in a lighter
application, a pillow.
Under no circumstance should this twine ever be split to set a button on an upholstered
piece of furniture.

A minimum setting can be gauged with a simple "flicking" technique. Flick the side of
the button with your thumb. You should not be able to lift the button from the surface of
your piece. Aside from that rule, you can set the depth to you liking.

After the second button is in position, tie 3 or 4 knots, cut the ends and you are all set!

*The technique to tie off buttons on furniture differs from this example and will be
demonstrated in an upcoming lesson.


www.diyonlinemag.com is
written and produced by Sophia Sevo

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Material throughout this website
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without
permission.
DIY OnlineMag.com
Subscribe!