How to Make Pillow Shams for Euro Pillows
It is rare to see a bed pillow collection without at least two Euro-pillows. They peek over the regular pillows just enough to add depth to the collection and their large, 25-inch plus square shape adds vertical interest. With a slightly padded front layer, the sham edges will stand straight; with trim in the outside seam or a tassel in the corners, the shams look like expensive, custom-made accessories. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Decor fabric
- 4-oz. quilt batting
- Lightweight lining
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Straight pins
- Fabric marking pencil
- Sewing machine
- Matching thread
Instructions
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1
Measure the circumference of the pillow, divide this measurement in half and add 7 inches for a 3-inch flange.
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2
Cut three square pieces of fabric equal to this measurement for length and width: one face piece and two for the fold-over back. Cut one piece of quilt batting and one piece of lining the same size.
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3
Lay the decor fabric face down on the table; place the quilt batting on top, then the lining, matching all the edges. Sew around the perimeter of the fabric, 1/4 inch from the edge, through all layers.
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4
Lay one of the back pieces of fabric on the table, right side to the table, and fold the bottom edge up 1/2 inch and press. Sew close to the raw edge of this fold.
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5
Replace the piece on the table, right side to the table and draw a line from one side to the other at a point that is 1/3 of the measurement from the top to the bottom of the piece of fabric. Fold on this line and press. Pin to hold the fold in place.
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6
Position the layered section on the table, the lining against the table. Lay one of the back pieces on the layered front, right side down, matching the raw edges on the top, side and bottom. The fold lies vertically. Position the remaining back piece on the opposite end of the layered fabric overlapping the folded edges. Stitch all around, 1/2 inch from the outside edge.
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7
Trim the bulk at the corners by cutting away the excess fabric with a diagonal cut across the corner in the seam allowance. Take care not to cut the stitching line. Turn the sham right side out and press the perimeter seam flat.
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8
Draw a line all around the sham 3 inches from the outside edge. Pin through all the layers on this line to prevent the fabric from shifting. Ensure there are pins holding the fold-over edges in place. Sew on the line.
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Tips & Warnings
Wash and dry the decor fabric and lining before making the shams to prevent shrinkage.
Inset trim or fringe into the outside edge by sewing it in place onto the front layers before sewing the back and fronts together.
Sew a tassel into place on each corner before sewing the front and back layers together.
For a 2-inch flange, add 5 inches to the half-circumference measurement rather than 7.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
