QUILTsocial Issue 4 | Page 57

Here are some tips when using Coats Outdoor thread Poolside Pillows Create cushions for poolside or deck using Coats & Clark’s Outdoor Thread. Fabrics created for outside are also available and a great choice for this project. ™™Use a size 18 or 20 (110 or 120) needle. A topstitching needle is recommended because it has a larger eye. skill level  intermediate ™™Use a longer stitch length, 6-8 finished measurements  approximately 20" [51cm] squared x 3" [7.5cm] thick materials To make one pillow: Coats Outdoor Thread Outdoor fabric, 44 - 54" [112 - 137cm] wide: * ¾yd [68cm] print fabric- pillow base * 3⁄8yd [34.5cm] solid fabric for boxing strip * 1⁄8yd [11.5cm] solid color fabric for handle Foam rubber, 20" [51cm] squared x 3" [7.5cm] thick Plastic wrap or a large plastic dry-cleaner bag Instructions Cutting fabric 1. Base - 21" [53.3cm] square of print fabric. Cut 2. 2. Boxing - 4"+ x 41" [10.3+ x 104cm] strip solid fabric. Cut 2. (+ or 1" [2.54cm] wider than foam) 3. Handle - 4" x 9" [10.3 x 23cm] rectangle of solid fabric. foam Mark a 20" [51cm] square on foam. Hold foam on its edge and use a sawing motion to cut along the markings with a sharp serrated steak knife or electric knife. Assembly boxing strip 1. On right side of both boxing strips, mark a dot at pillow corners as shown in Diagram 1. Also mark centre of each boxing strip. Mark lines for handle placement 3" [7.5cm] on either side of centre. 2. Reinforce corners by stay-stitching just inside the ½" [1.2cm] seam allowance, about an inch to each side of each dot. Clip the fabric up-to, but not-through the stay-stitching. Place ends of boxing strips, right sides together. Stitch across end, creating a continuous circle. stitches per 1" [4mm]. A thick thread needs more space to form a stitch ™™If you are getting loops on the underside, increase your upper tension. ™™Sew slowly. The thread is not as flexible as all-purpose thread, so reducing your speed results in better stitch formation. handle 1. Right sides together, fold the handle in half lengthwise and pin. Sew across each short end and long edge, leaving an opening for turning. Trim seams and clip corners. Turn and press. Top stitch 1⁄8" [3mm] along edges of handle. 2. Pin short ends at handle markings. Stitch handle to boxing strip as shown in Diagram 2. Joining boxing to base 1. Mark centre of each side of pillow base. 2. With right sides together and cut edges even, pin boxing strip to one pillow base, matching first each centre and seam of strip to each centre of base, then matching each clipped corner of strip to each corner of base. Pin every 1½" - 2" [3.7 - 5cm]. 3. Sew strip to base, pivoting at corners. Sew remaining pillow base to the other side of the boxing, leaving an 18" opening centred along one edge. Press and trim seams, clip corners and turn to right side through opening. 4. Wrap foam with plastic bag and slip into pillow cover. Reach inside cover and remove plastic. Slip stitch opening closed. Diagram 3. Diagram 1 10 1⁄2" 20" 10 1⁄2" x 6" x Diagram 2 6" Diagram 3 Diagram 3 Diagram 4 Diagram 4 faux piping With a hand needle and using a basting stitch, sew ½" [1.2cm] from seam line on both the base side and boxing strip side of the cover. Diagram 4. QUILTsocial .com ● issue 4 57