Fleece-Tied Pillow

Pattern markings:

Sewing clue — Becoming familiar with the markings in the Diagram Key will aid in reading instructions. Most patterns have similar keys.

Diagram Key:

Step #1

• Draw a square on pattern paper the size of the required
  fabric square as determined by Table 1.
• Draw a grain line arrow parallel to one of the edges and
  approximately 2" from the edge.

Sewing clue — When fleece fabric is stretched on the crosswise
grain it curls to the wrong side. When fleece fabric is stretched on the lengthwise grain it curls to the right side. Fleece wears better when cut with the right side out.

Step #2

• Cut two fabric squares according to desired pillow size using the pattern as a guide.

Sewing clue — Fleece fabric is thick. It is helpful to use long pins with large heads such as quilting pins or pins with flat heads.

• Pin the pattern to the single layer of the fabric with one edge parallel to the selvage edge and cut out one of the squares.

Sewing clue — To insure the pillow is cut on the straight grain of
the fabric, measure from each end of the grainline arrow to the
selvage edge. When these two measurements are the same
distance from the selvage the pattern is on the fabric’s straight grain.

• Remove the pattern from the cut piece.

Sewing clue —When working with fleece fabric, be aware that the selvage edge is sometimes distorted. When pinning your pattern to the fabric, move the pattern inside the distorted edge. When cutting items, use fabric wisely. Laying pattern pieces close together will avoid wasting fabric.

Step #3

• Re-pin the pattern close to or on the cut edge. Cut the second fabric square.

Step #1

• To ensure that you have the same number of ties on each side, make a template from extra firm craft stabilizer for a guide.
• Cut a piece of stabilizer using the measurements in the table below.

Step #2

• Mark the template with a line 1-inch from the long edge the width of the stabilizer. To complete the template, draw a line in 3" from each end. Draw a series of vertical lines 1/2" apart.
• Cut a 3" square from each end of the template. (As shown by the gray area in the diagram.)
• The template serves as a pattern for cutting your ties.

Sewing clue — Fleece is a knitted fabric. Therefore, when sewing fleece fabric use a sewing machine needle for knits such as a ballpoint, stretch, or universal needle. A general rule is to use 7 to 9 stitches per inch when you are sewing fleece fabric.

Step #1

• Stitch a reinforcement stitch around each fabric square 3" from the edge. This is to prevent the ties from tearing deeper than you want.

Optional: Omit reinforcement stitch for a non sewn item.

Sewing clue — Place tape on the bed of the sewing machine 3" from the needle. This will serve as a stitching guide.

Step #2

• Pin the template to one edge of the pillow squares and cut every ½-inch following the template markings.

Step #3

•  Move the template around all sides of the square continuing to cut the ties.
• Repeat on the second fabric square.

Step #4

• To form the pillow pocket, place the WRONG sides of the two fabric squares together.
• Tie the two layers together using a square knot on each set of ties.
• Begin at one corner and tie the two squares together around three edges of the pillow. This forms the pillow pocket.

Step #5

• Insert the pillow form into the pillow pocket.
• Tie the remaining side