Feb 26, 2016

Envelope revisited

Ciao!  Spring's 'a coming. 
How you doing?  Want to be bored again?  I showed this envelope method a few years ago, doing it again for the few emails from those that missed it. 
(note to no-reply Lisa B. - the sampler is ABCD 1817 from Scarlet Letter)
When cutting the backing fabric I add about 3"extra to the length.  Cut that piece in half and fold over/press a hem either sewing or fusing to finish.  Overlap these hems to create an envelope. This time, I machine basted the flap closed before sewing the backing to the front.  Better!  Removing the stitches is very easy and it holds the fabric in position, no moving or slipping, creating a perfect close.  I overlapped the flaps a little too much, it's not necessary.  Instead of hemming the edges I use the fusible hemming tape, but don't have it in the very edge of the fold in case I want to use a decorative stitch on it.  The tape makes it harder for the needle to glide.  For some reason, my corners are always bigger.  Looking at the piece, the sewing line is perfectly square, I use the machine's guide, but they still stick out further than the edges.  Very easy to turn inside out and run a few more stitches to pull them in which I did.  After pressing the seams open, I turned the tucked side (bottom side) out to stuff, then turned the top side and finished filling.  Steamed the filling to densify (yes it's a word), and I can sew a button, decorative stitch, add trim, or safety pin the back flap.  The trick to a crisp finish is to make sure the flap is not allowed to open, even slightly.  Pull it to where the fabric would be as originally basted, so it is perfectly straight across.  Easy peasy.  Here's the boring photos.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Steamed and ready to secure the flap so it doesn't gap.



 
I have a hemostat or forceps that come in handy for filling corners.  You can grab a bit of stuffing and then clamp shut to hold it, push into corner, then unlock the clamp and pull out.  The nose end isn't sharp and can be used to pack the corners too.  Easy way to add a little to those pesky corners on small projects.
 
Too many photos! 
Just wanted to share my easy way to do smalls without the hassle of blind stitching or gluing them shut.  Easy to reopen too, when you forget to add the hanger as I did. 
 
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16 comments:

gracie said...

great instructions...thank you

cucki said...

Yayyy super great
Love and smiles x

Vickie said...

Not boring at all. Very thorough directions and pictures. I have me some hemostats too. ;)

Pondside said...

I like the envelope method for projects large and small.
Those scissors - we're all going to be trawling on Amazon!

village folk art said...

Your X-stitch choice of colors is beautiful.
Love the envelope technique too. Have tried it with success.
Thanks for sharing...

Peace to all,
Barb

Evelyne said...

I make cushions the same way and use the forceps also. It's also a great tool for stuff legs and arms of little dolls and bears.
I love the ABC cushion very much!
Have a nice weekend.
Evelyne

Unknown said...

I always appreciate your how-tos. I absolutely love the color choices you made for the sampler! Beautiful job!

Barb said...

Thank you so much for the great directions. I need those things to stuff the filling in the corners!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Great directions. Marly! Both stitching and pillow are awesome!

Del said...

Well, I'll be buttered - on both sides! I have never thought of forceps! Thank you, thank you. Now all I need is to find me a pair. I love learning from you.

Cricket-bug Corner said...

Del's comment cracked me up - but I too will be buttered because forceps is a great idea!! Thanks for the pics - I am a visual learner!!

Shelly said...

I need to find me a hemostat, stat! Your corners look great and I like how flat your pillow turned out. Not boring at all! Thank you!

Ele said...

Great tutorial, thanks
Love the backing fabric you used for the pillow, so beautiful

Lisa B. said...

Thank you for the wonderful instructions. YOU ARE NEVER BORING. I love your posts. Thank you for the pattern info. You are a sweetheart. I can't figure out the "no reply" deal. Still trying to determine how I can fix that. Thank you again.

Solstitches said...

Not boring at all. That's such a good finishing idea. Thanks for the tutorial which I don't remember seeing first time around.
Loved the little stitched design you used too.
Margaret

Maggee said...

That's a great tutorial! Not boring at all!

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