Happy Friday and Happy November! Do you have big plans this weekend? Yesterday I did a little shopping with my mom, and one of the ideas we saw was yarn-stitched shirts and pillows. So, I got home and just had to try it. I decided to do the yarn stitching on a ruffled throw pillow.
I cut two rectangles that measured 24″x15″ and two that measured 24″x4″.
Using a water-soluble marker, I wrote family in cursive in the center of one of the 24″x15″ rectangles.
I laid red yarn along the writing and zig-zag stitched along the yarn.
I ruffled the 24″x4″ inch rectangles using my sewing machine. To ruffle with a sewing machine, turn the stitch length to the largest number (mine was 4.5) and the tension to the largest number (mine was 9). Then, just sew as you normally would and let the machine do the work!
Then, I sewed a ruffle to each side of the yarn-stitched rectangle, right sides together. I cut off any extra ruffle once I got to the end.
Next, I made a “ruffle sandwich” by sewing on the second 24″x15″ rectangle with the ruffle in-between. Then, I sewed the top and the bottom pillow seams, leaving a small opening. I turned the pillow right side out through the opening and stuffed it. Finally, I hand-stitched the small opening shut.
I left the ruffled edges unfinished. The fabric I used frayed, so I sped the process along by hand fraying the edge by pulling on all of those long hanging threads to make it look more even.
Now I need to get some plain shirts and try this technique on them! A yarn-stitched onesie would be a great baby gift to have on hand.
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
The pillow is really beautiful! I love the red stitching on such a neutral background. It makes the wor really pop.
Crystal says
Tonia, the pillow is absolutely gorgeous. I love the simplicity of it and the red looks beautiful against the light fabric. Thanks for the sharing the tutorial!
Our Pinteresting Family says
Such a beautiful project, Tonia!
Tonia L says
Thanks Megan!
Rachel says
So cute! This one needs to stay in the family for generations!
Tonia L says
Thanks Rachel! My son got home from school, grabbed the pillow and headed for the couch! 🙂
The Creative U says
I’m pretty SURE I couldn’t sew well enough to follow the yarn, but I could embroider the word on with floss… It would be almost as cute. OR I think there’s a technique called “couching” that enables you to stitch over yarn like that by hand. I would attempt that first. Me and the machine are not really “one.”
But the idea is so cute!
Tonia L says
Thanks Judi! I think it would help to use a big embroidery hoop to hold things in place!
Holly Lefevre says
Love…Love…LOVE! This is so sweet and…just plain adorable!
Tonia L says
Thanks Holly!
Stephanie @ Henry Happened says
This is so pretty – and I love how easy it is, the zigzag stitch is the one I’m good at! 🙂
Tonia L says
Well, there ya go! You can make one of your own!
Four Marrs and One Venus says
Tonia that is really cute- and you did make it look pretty easy– is it just that so?! Hmmm going to have to remember this idea! Thanks girl!
Jen
Tonia L says
It always looks easier in those 1-2-3 steps, doesn’t it? I had hardly any issues making this pillow and did it in a few hours. My biggest problems were with the fact that I BARELY had enough red thread and hand sewing the opening closed!
Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says
Oh Tonia, I just adore this! All the possibiilties. Christmas themed worded ones would be fun too.
Tonia L says
Thank Jennifer! I know what you mean…I was so excited when I saw this idea in the store!
Jodi S says
what a fun idea- I especially love that you hung it from the trees in the first pic 🙂 I don’t think I am near skilled enough to stitch on top of something without screwing up- I will need some practice before ever attempting this.
Tonia L says
Believe me I still screw up a lot! I have a love/hate relationship with sewing. Maybe if I had a nicer sewing machine I wouldn’t get so frustrated!
Brandi Morgan says
These are so cute! You could have family write something on quilt squares and use this same technique and have a beautiful family heirloom to pass down!
Tonia L says
Love that idea Brandi! Family could even write on this pillow with permanent marker. Everyone could write their name or something they are thankful for.