Once you've completed stitching the design, what's next? These photos and descriptions will guide you through the steps to create a realistic miniature pillow.
Once I have finished stitching the design, I decide on the size of my pillow. I usually leave a 1/4-inch border around the design. My pillows, stitched on 46-count linen, are generally between 1 and 2 inches in both height and width. I include a 1/4-inch seam allowance on every edge, which means the pillow top and backing are each 1/2 inch larger in both dimensions than the finished pillow.
In this example, I am making a 1.5-inch square pillow. I repurposed a 2-inch clear stamping block with a grid to determine the outer edges of the pillow. I center it on the design, then lightly mark the fabric at the corners. This indicates where I will cut the pillow top.
Because the antique white linen is not entirely opaque, I choose to line it with cotton fabric. I cut a piece the size of the finished pillow or slightly smaller. I also cut another piece of fabric for the back of the pillow. This piece is the same size as the pillow top, in this case a 2-inch square.
The next step is to place the lining on the wrong side of the pillow top, centered behind the design. If the lining is smaller than the finished pillow top's dimensions, I use fusible webbing, such as Stitch Witchery, to secure the lining, following the manufacturer's directions.
I then turn under a 1/4-inch seam allowance all the way around both the pillow top and the backing. If the lining piece is the same size as the finished pillow top dimensions, I do not need to adhere it to the top. To press the 1/4-inch seam allowance, I prefer a quilter's mini iron because it is easier to maneuver around these small folds, and I've burned my fingers too many times using a large iron.
Next, I hold the pillow top and backing together with quilting clips, wrong sides facing. I've found that quilting clips work well without leaving marks on either piece of fabric. It's also easy to move the clips around to handle the tricky corners. I do not trim away the folded corner fabric because the material frays too easily.
I use a blanket stitch to join the two pieces of fabric. I start about 1/3 inch from one corner and stitch around the pillow to the point shown below, leaving about a 3/4-inch opening for stuffing. Depending on how you prefer to stitch, with the pillow top facing toward you or away from you, you'll either start at the green mark and end at the red mark or start at the red mark and end at the green mark.
Next, fill the pillow with your choice of stuffing. I use a soft wool that I have on hand for making kids' teddy bears, but polyfill, microbeads, or other fillers will work.
Finish stitching the opening closed, and your pillow is ready for display!
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