19
Oct

DIY Mudcloth Pillow

I love to create and sewing is a fun way to enjoy that passion + it’s something I learned how to do in junior high. One of my first jobs as a teenager was actually working in a fabric store. I learned a lot about fabric working there, but something you should also know about me if you don’t know already is I’m not afraid of trying new things. Once I get a vision in my head of what I want and think “I could do that, or I should do that.” 99% of the time I actually do it. It can be both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing as things can end up being less expensive when you put in your own efforts to make it. Plus it allows me to feel empowered and accomplish more, But it can be a curse, as it might take a lot of time to figure it out, so when its all said and done I might as well have just found it and bought it. Then on the business side, it can end up being more expensive for me in the long run.

I have also come to realize that I enjoy the process or journey more than anything which is why I even attempt it. I am also a little stubborn…hah..once I get the idea in my head of something I want to do, I jump right in and figure out what needs to be done and I do it! I read a quote recently in a business book, that sums up my attitude about a lot of things.

” Resourcefulness shows up after you make a commitment, not before.” Daniel Priestley

If I wait for the perfect time, its not ever going to happen, but if I decide I’m going to do something, things seem to magically start to fall into place for me to accomplish it. So when I decided I wanted to make a pillow, I figured out what I had to do. Then I began ordering the supplies needed and away I went. First I ordered a new sewing machine from Husqvarna Viking, as mine was 25 years old and skipping stitches. The Jade 20 from Husqvarna Viking looked like everything I wanted and at a great price. I’ve never had a new sewing machine. I inherited a vintage one from my sister which I’m very grateful I’ve had this one for 15 years. But with a few sewing projects in the works I felt now was the time to get one, my resourcefulness showed up and I started looking……I reached out to partner with Husqvarna Viking to complete these projects and they were more that willing to send me a sewing machine to complete the projects I was planning. So I ordered the Jade 20.

I love the ease of this machine, it is digital but very simple. I am so happy with it. Next I ordered some vintage mudcloth I found, plus european linen for the backing of the pillow and a 36″ brass zipper. I wanted to do a long lumbar size pillow but did not have a pattern. I ordered this pillow insert from amazon….and it had a soft pillow case around it, so I used that pillow case as my pattern/guide but made mine smaller as I wanted it more fitted.

Supplies to make a pillowcase:

  • sewing machine
  • mudcloth ( I found mine here, I don’t see the denim right now but I have seen it on etsy)
  • european linen (I used this one or you could use a heavy cotton ticking or twill)
  • brass zipper (I used a 36″ in cream)
  • pillow insert (I used this one, 16×48, its amazing how it looks so fluffy after you take it out of the box)

Plus I have learned one trick in design for the size of pillow inserts needed for throw pillows. To make them nice and fluffy, if your pillow case is 24″x24″ you need a 26″ x 26″ pillow insert. So go 1-2″ smaller in the size of the finished pillowcase. My pillow insert is 16×48, so my pillow case ended up being approx. 14 1/2 x 46. I found that the denim mudcloth fabric on the front piece of my pillow actually has a little stretch. So when I put it on, it did fit but I probably could have made the top to bottom seam a little tighter, going slightly smaller.

I wanted a longer pillow for my bench but also to use it on my king size bed, it looks really nice there too. My bench is from a local shop near me, Elements. They are a favorite for home furniture and decor. I saw this bench on my parade of homes tour, and knew I had to have it. This little spot where I placed the bench is not finished I’m working on a large framed family picture, as well as looking into installing an art light above it. I just need to get my electrician over to see if its possible to add a light above. My bedroom closet is on the other side of the wall so I was telling my husband maybe we can somehow go through the closet to make the hole for the light and then put the wiring off of the fireplace switch that is currently there. We shall see if a light there is even possible. This is not a formal tutorial by any means as I’m not that good at explaining, but if you want some help to know how to make an exposed zipper pillow case, here is a link to a video tutorial I found. I am also happy to answer any questions you may have for what I did, thank you and Happy Friday!!

xxo Tana