Hand Stitched Yoda Pillowcase Tutorial

Hi!! I have been meaning to do something like this for some time, and I finally decided to go for it the other day and make a little something special for my little man.

Materials:

Pillowcase (I used a white one, cotton)
Disappearing Ink Marker
Embroidery Floss
Needle and threader (helpful with floss)
Cardboard
Printed Image (in this case, Yoda)
Embroidery Hoop

Slide the cardboard/posterboard under the top layer of the pillowcase so your ink doesn't go through to the bottom layer.

Position the printed image on top of the cardboard, but underneath the fabric, so you can trace your image with the disappearing ink marker.

Pin things down so you can trace without the paper sliding.

Once you've traced out everything you want to trace, you can start stitching. Remember that the ink usually disappears in a few days (check your package instructions), so don't draw more than you can stitch in that time frame.

Now, here's where I fake it....I honestly have no clue about embroidery. I've no idea if there are tricks, methods, plans, etc. I have sewn, crafted and done a lot in recent years, but I've never really embroidered much.

So, put the fabric in the hoop, simple stitches, following the traced line.

It was quite fun to see his little jedi face emerge.

Getting closer....

All in all Yoda's face only took 2 days, I think. I unhooped it in between though, so there wouldn't be a bit crease.

Now remember how you drew his face? Now go print some font you like for the phrase you want. Or if you have pretty hand writing...hand draw the words on. (I do not...)

And start stitching again. and ta-da....DONE!
.

I have a very happy Star Wars obsessed child. I didn't tell him I'd finished it, I just put it on his bed like this. He ran out and said, "Thank you mommy I love my new pillow!!!"

Now his little brother has requested an R2D2 pillow...phew...need to rest my hand and get some crochet done before I start another pillow.

Enjoy!~~Amy

What I Made.....

Lately...
I've been obsessed with the crochet and knitting as of late. It's going far faster, skill wise, than my sewing ever did. I'm still such a newbie, but I love it!

I've been busy making scarves for gifts (hope none of the recipients read this...if so, well, here ya go! LOL) for my boys teachers. I really like scarves. Simple, repetitive, rows. I do like hooking in the round (hee hee), but that requires a little more concentration than scarves. I can do a scarf and watch tv...awesomeness.

I also put together this little pillow for my newly acquired rocking chair :)

Have you created anything lately? Are you making handmade gifts this year?? Feel free to share!~~
Amy

Easy Pillowcase--Impatient Craftaholic Series

In keeping with my for the Impatient Craftaholic series...allow me to introduce "The Easy Pillowcase". 

This tutorial is what happens when you bring your children to the fabric store with you just to get ONE THING (I swear!) and they find fabric they like. Sigh. It's hereditary.

Materials:

1 yard of your chosen fabric (we chose Spiderman..natch.)

Thread

Serger and thread (if you have it, if not, its ok)

Scissors and the usual sewing odds and ends.

Sewing Machine (unless you love hand sewing..which if that is the case you probably aren't needing this series of impatient crafting...)

Set your coffee to brew...this project is pretty darn fast.

Step One: Measurements, Schmeasurements.

I just grabbed a pillow from the house and used it as my measurement. Because this print is a directional print, I had to fold it raw edge to raw edge. In the end I ended up with a piece of fabric, folded, right sides together that measured about 33x18 or so. Your final measurements will vary based on your pillow size.

Step Two: The Almighty Serger

Now don't fret if you don't have a serger. If you DO, head on over to it with your fabric still in its nice little 33x18 inch or so fold. Since there is already a fold, you don't have to stitch that side of the pillowcase. So serge down the shorter side first (looking at the above picture, its the right hand side first). Then the longer "raw edge" side. This leaves you an unfinished pillowcase!!

Step Two: If you don't have a serger:

You can still sew down the same sides as the serger in the step above with your sewing machine. Because it is a pillowcase, it really doesn't matter if you have a raw edge inside the pillowcase---at least in my world it's okay. Just stitch with your machine in a straight stitch as I said in the serged instructions. If you really feel the need, use pinking shears to 'pink' the edges along the stitches for security.

Step Three: Hemming It up

After the inside of your pillowcase is done, move on to your hem. Keep the case with wrong sides out, and fold down a small hem. How big your hem is, really depends on the size of your pillow and how much extra fabric you want hanging off your pillow.

Use your iron to press your first hem.

Step Four:

Fold down again until you find a hem you're comfortable with. Nope my lines aren't totally straight. Ahem, Impatient Craftaholic....

Step Five: Head back to your regular sewing machine

Now at your regular sewing machine, just stitch your hem! Sew one line close to the folded edge, then if you'd like, sew another line on the outer edge.

Now fold your pillowcase right side out and viola...a nifty spider man pillowcase!! (Yes I know, I need a picture of the finished pillowcase...but the kid is sleeping on it right now..)

And if you keep some fabric left over, you can make a nifty SpiderMan shirt for your little one :)

***Enjoy and happy sewing! Let me know if you have any questions! Stay Tuned for the Next Installment of the Impatient Craftaholic!

~~~Amy