How to make a pillow sham!

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During this blog, I will demonstrate how to make a pillow sham to go with the coverlet I made last week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

 

woodgatenatural-m

 

 

 

 

For these pillow shams I used approximately four yards of Richloom Woodgate Natural fabric.

 

 

 

 

PROCEDURE:

 

 

I started by washing my fabric then drying in the dryer, I did this step so I would be able to machine wash my bedding when necessary.

Then next step is to determine the size I need my shams to be.  I have a queen size bed so I used pillow forms that would look good on my bed, 27″ by 19.5″.

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I want my shams to have a 2″ flange around the perimeter of the sham.

I will be making both shams so my first cut was the front section of the sham. They will be cut 30″ by 22.5″.

 

 

 

 

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I have decided to have the envelope backing on my shams, so the next cuts will be four cut at 16.75″. I cut these this size to allow for a 5.5″ overlap on each section.

 

 

 

 

 

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Take all the cut pieces and serge the raw edges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Take two of the back sections and add a two inch hem. This will be the outside flap of the backing.

Measure and pin.

 

 

 

 

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Now take to the sewing machine and straight stitch the hem down as shown in the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

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Next I decided that I wanted my flange to be stiff so I added batting to the sham.

I cut two sections of batting the size of the sham front for each sham.

 

 

 

 

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Now is the time to assemble the pillow sham. As you can see in the photo, lay the batting down first, next add the front piece face up on top of the batting. Now layer the back of the sham on top of the front. Place the hemmed back piece next, making sure to start by pinning the side to the front section face down. Next place the other back section  face down pinning  at opposite edge from the hemmed section.

 

 

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Now take your sham and stitch around the perimeter using a half inch seam.

 

 

 

 

 

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Turn the pillow sham right side out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The last step is to create the 2″ flange around the perimeter of the pillow. To do this you will need to either pin two inches away from the edge of your sham or mark with a disappearing marker. I have chosen to pin as shown in the photo. Once you have pinned the sham around the perimeter take it to the sewing machine and straight stitch at you mark.

 

 

 

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Now you know how to makes these beautiful shams to match your bedding!

 

Happy sewing until next time!