Select Technique
The technique used for embroidery depends on your sewing machine and the look you want to achieve. Computerized machines with embroidery units offer a wide variety of choices of alphabet styles and sizes. If you do not have this option, your machine’s built-in alphabet can be used for small pillows, sachets or ornaments. There is no limit to the style or size of lettering when you sew them free-motion. Satin-stitched block-letters are another option. Other embroidered motifs can be used to illustrate your saying. For example, add a kitten on a pillow that says, “I Love Cats.”
Planning Your Project
First select a saying. Choose something short—no more that 5 or 6 words works best. Seasonal greetings such as “Happy Holidays” or a saying related to a hobby for example “Golf is my Game” or something personal such as “Friends Forever” are just a few ideas.
Program message into the sewing machine.
Stitch a practice run of the design (on the actual fabric or your pillow, if possible).
Determine size of pillow based on practice stitching. Cut two rectangles of fabric to desired size including ½" seam allowances. Also cut a rectangle of stabilizer.
General Instructions
Place the stabilizer under the fabric for the pillow top. Hoop fabric and stabilizer; embroider design.
Pin the piping to the right side of the pillow top with raw edges even. Start in an inconspicuous area of the pillow. On corners, clip the raw edge of the piping almost to stitching(1). At the end, overlap the piping.
Machine-baste piping in place along the piping stitching using a zipper foot or cording foot.
Pin pillow front and backs right sides together.
Sew pillow together, stitching just to the left of the basting for the piping using a zipper foot. Leave a 4" opening for turning and stuffing.
Trim corners diagonally. Turn pillow to right side, stuff with fiber fill and slip-stitch opening closed.
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