Shirred Accent Pillow

by JoAnn Fabric

DIRECTIONS FOR SHIRRED ACCENT PILLOW:
1. Cut 1 fabric square 22"x22". Cut 2 fabric squares 15"x15".
2. Hand wind the elastic thread onto a machine bobbin and insert in the machine just like a regularly threaded bobbin.
3. Find the center of the 22" square. Stitch a 2" square in the center. To create the square, stitch 2" and with the needle in the down position, raise the presser foot. Turn 90˚, lower the foot, stitch 2" and repeat until reaching the starting point. Continue stitching for one more inch, raise the foot, pivot and repeat to create a larger square. Do not remove the fabric from the sewing machine. Instead, continue to stitch concentric squares. It is not necessary to measure or mark. Estimating the placement is accurate enough. As stitching progresses, the elastic bobbin thread will pull the fabric into gathers. Place one hand behind the presser foot, and one in front, pulling fabric taut to keep it flat while stitching. Continue until the stitching is within 1/2" of any side. Remove from machine.
4. The 22" square will now be 12-15" square when relaxed with gathers. Center this piece wrong side down on one 15" square. Pin at corners. Stretch the gathered sides to partially flatten and fit the 15" square below it. Pin.
5. Set the sewing machine to a zigzag stitch, width and length at 2. Zigzag the layers together by sewing over the outer row of elastic stitching. Stitch over the outer 3-4 rows in this manner. Remove from machine.
6. Place the shirred square flat on the work surface. Pin corners of the inner elastic stitched squares to the fabric below. Zigzag over the remaining elastic stitched row as in Step 5.
7. Getting closer to the center of the fabric, use your fingers to manipulate the puffed up gathered squares. Pin where necessary, to even out the fullness. Zigzag over selected rows of stitching to hold the center fullness in place.
8. Place the fabric on the work surface again. Use scissors to trim the gathered top layer to the size of the bottom layer, approx. 15". Place the remaining 15" square on the shirred square, right sides together. Pin edges of pillow, pulling and flattening the shirred square to fit the unstitched square.
9. Stitch the pillow layers together 1/2" from the edge, leaving about 8" on one side to turn.
10. Turn right side out. Insert the pillow insert through the unstitched opening. Pull the form into the corners of the fabric, so the fit is as even as possible. Pin the opening closed. Slipstitch pillow to finish. Print free pillow instructions.