{DIY} Removable Pillow Cover

Okay, so I decided to give you my novice version of a slipcover for those ugly throw pillows  you may have stuffed in a closet somewhere. Here's mine...I wasn't lovin' the 1992 mauve color. Instead I wanted it to match my Shabby Chic End Table in my living room so I got some fabric from JoAnn's and went to town. 

FIRST, WASH AND DRY YOUR FABRIC according to its directions! Then iron it. Do not skip this step!

First I got some newspaper (use tissue paper if you want) sharp scissors, and measuring tape.

I measured this pillow to be 16" by 17 1/2". So..I needed a 1/4" seam allowance so I added 1/2" to each measurement which brought me to 16.5" x 18" 

Now I applied the measurements to the newspaper and cut out my new pattern. For the back, since I wanted to make a slip cover I planned to have two overlapping pieces. So I took the longer measurement (18") by 6". The second piece I (should have) measured 18" x 14". You want the second piece to be closer to the size of the entire pillow so it covers adequately. 

Once you have the pieces all cut then pin, pin, pin. Don't be cheap with the pinning either. You want it to end up right.

I did two identical pillows so I overlapped the fabric so I only had to make the cuts once.

Here the front piece all cut out

This is the smaller back piece.

All the pieces cut out.

Now, take the two back pieces and on the long edge that you plan to sew for the opening fold it over and press. Then fold it over once more. I folded at about 1/8"-1/4" but didn't measure this part. I just wanted to hide the JoAnn logo. Iron both steps.

Next, top stitch the entire edge that you folded over. This will be the finished edge when you're done. Repeat for the larger back piece.

Next, put pillow front and the smaller back piece together with Right sides together. Put the small piece on first. Pin the upper edge.

Lay the larger back piece over the front and smaller piece. Make sure the finished edges are both in the middle of the pillow. Pin away!

Sew all around the pillow case with a 1/4 inch seam. There usually are markings on the machine to help guide the fabric. When you reach the corner, stop. Make sure the needle is through the fabric and lift the presser foot. Turn the fabric and put the presser foot back down. Keep sewing. Do this at each corner.

When you are finished sewing take the corner and clip straight across like this. It will help prevent bunching in the corners. 

Here's what it should look like. 

Turn the pillow cover inside out and make sure to push out the corners. Remember I said I "should have" measured the larger back piece differently? Well this is why...there wasn't enough fabric to overlap to cover the pillow adequately. 

So..since I have a pretty cool sewing machine I improvised. I used my button holer attachments and got out my sewing manual and made a button hole and sewed on a button.  

Entering the World of Bloggers

Well, I decided to enter the world of bloggers for real this time...Hopefully I don't get sidetracked, as I tend to do with my busy schedule. Since I'm a mom of three little princesses, with a part-time job outside the home (teaching 2-year-olds) and a husband, as well as an online student...I would say, YEP I'm pretty busy. I DO however find time in all the craziness to pursue new culinary, crafty, or gardening endeavors. So, I decided to share them with the world! Aren't ya'll lucky!?

Over the last 11 years of marital bliss (ha ha), I have developed  a knack for the culinary arts. My next door neighbor, who is a chef, says I'm what the formally educated food experts call a "foodie". I am a self taught, or should I say Web/Food Network taught chef. (Also, I learned much from my mother who LOVES baking from scratch...she's a pretty good cook herself.) I love to bake and cook and am a canned food snob. Yes I still use canned goods if I must, with my crazy busy life, but I try my hardest to avoid recipes that are not mostly homemade. Stick with me on this journey and I will share many of my own creations as well as my tried and true recipes from food favorites like Paula Deen and Giada or my family favorites.

Additionally, I love to sew, crochet and knit. Pretty much anything crafty (although I'm not a big fan of counted cross-stitch...don't have the patience). I'm a beginner in many respects for these areas but I can follow a pattern, and if I get stuck...I go to my good old trusty teacher...Mr. YouTube...who always gets me out of a jam. This artistic quality, I must attribute to my Dad and my Grandma Ethyl who are two of the most artistic creative people I know, so it must be in my genes. :)

So...will you join me on my continued pursuits in becoming Miss Suzie Homemaker, the gal who can bring home the bacon and fry it up in the pan...(although I don't bring home a LOT of the bacon..ha ha)...but I can do pretty much anything I put my mind to. [That must be the Croswait stubbornness in me..] Let's get started!