That's so cool!! I've got another one for you. If your corners get dog-eared and flop over, it's because most store-bought pillow forms are overstuffed in the middle and don't have much in the corners to fill out your pillow cover. Before putting the form into your pillow cover, simple cram a handful of polyfil stuffing into each corner of the cover. Presto, nicely stuffed and perky corners.

Regarding eliminating pointy corners on a pillow,  when you're sewing up your side seams are you using a 1/4" seam allowance then you're sewing in towards a 1/2" seam allowance at the corners,  or a 5/8' seam allowance?

thanks,  

I use this same trick when sewing collars, cuffs and anything that has a square corner.  On fashion sewing (collars etc) I simple take one or two stitches across the corner depending on the weight of the fabric.  Keeps those corners from looking "stuffed".  SueD

I cannot visualize this.  Is there a related post with diagrams?  Just don't understand from these written directions.

I learned this recently from a class I took.  I agree, it's brilliant!

Seems to me your previous Stitch editor blogged about this same thing and included an illustration, but I can't find it.  I would like to see her illustration again.   thanks.  

Seems to me your previous Stitch editor blogged this same item and included an illustration, but I can't find it.  Is it possible to pull up that illustration?  

I would like to see an illustration as well. I don't even get what you mean by pointy corners!  Don't you want nice sharp corners?

I was just wondering how to solve this issue!  I've been making pincushions lately, and the shape is cute, but kind of distorted once they are plumped up.  I will have to try this!

I don't get it either...an illustration would be helpful. It's not making sense. How pointy WERE your corners to start with, I thought that was the point of a sewn square/rectangle...

I agree with the others, I just cannot for the life of me figure out what you are talking about. I have always thought pointy corners were nice in a pillow. Perhaps this is a fad to have rounded corners on angled pillows? Anyway, if there were some kind of picture or diagram of what you mean?

I, too, am confused.  Line 3 reads: "Mark in 1/2" from each corner of the pillow." On the right side of the corner? Or the left? And from which point am I drawing a line from each corner of the pillow to each side's center? An illustration would really be helpful. Thanks!

I do not get this at all. Can you be more specific?

I don't understand this at all! Please explain further.

I like to change my pillows according to season - but don't really want to have to store a dozen different pillows in between - so I make pillow "slip covers" with an easy way to change them.

I buy inexpensive men's shirts in a coordinating color (sometimes I dye them). The I use the front of the shirt as the back of the pillow cover. You button up the shirt then cut out the back of the pillow cover from the front of the shirt. The buttons and placket are the "right" side of the back fabric piece.

Once the front and back are stitched right sides together - ALL the way around (you don't need to add an opening to turn it inside out) you can slip your fingers through the placket and unbutton the shirt piece then turn it inside out. You have a clean finished opening you can insert the pillow form into.

This way when you want to change pillow covers and/or wash the cover you just unbutton the back and slip the pillow form out.

Hey ladies,

I am the one who wrote this pattern and I think I can answer some of the questions below.

@Jam.Piecemaker - I used 1/2 seam allowance only.

I think the language in the first paragraph is causing some confusion. The trick is to eliminate the "dog ear" effect that can happen when you use a pillow insert and the points of the corners aren't totally filled by the insert and end up looking odd or floppy. By tapering the corners, the insert ends up fitting the corners better.  If you click on the second picture, you can see how I shaped the corners so it is no longer a proper rectangle.  You can see in the top picture that when the two sides are sewn together, it does makes a perfect rectangle.

Krista's suggestion to fill the corners with stuffing also works really well.

I hope this helps.

Melissa

Sorry, but your explanation doesn't clear it up for me.

Melissa, this still makes no sense. An illustration might help.

I'm pretty sure what she means is the sides are slightly rounded ( See second picture and look at grids.).  The corners are cut in 1/2 inch.  So, really instead of it looking like a squished square it looks more like a puffed square. Does this help?

I think what is trying to be said here is:

Sew the pillow sides as usual and just cut the corners at a angle when you are done and before you turn it.  OR you can sew up the side till you get to the corner sew at an angle and then continue that for the other corners- at least thats the way I interpert it - Eileen

Okay, being a "little" compulsive I made up a graphic for those visual learners. It is on my Photobucket account at:

i25.photobucket.com/.../SewingPillowCovergraphic.jpg

My comment on the graphic should read "trim" not "sew"

Hope this helps

Thanks Honeylioness. I get it now :)

OK, I am a dunce.....If you use a 1/2" seam allowance but measure in 1/2 from the corner, isn't it still a 1/2 seam your sewing? And where on the corner do you measure? From the point in towards the middle of the pillow? From either edge of the fabric? awaaaaaaaaa, I don't get it.

Thank you Honeylioness for the diagram.  That is much clearer!

I am glad to see I am not alone in not being able to visualize this!  I thought I was losing it!  The photos do not enlarge when I click on them - so that did not help!

Thanks again.  This is a good trick.

That is so neat, can't wait to try it on my next cushion.

OK I get it now. Sorry I was so ditsy! Thank you  Honeylioness! You pic was the one that made my light bulb go on. For some reason I could not click on the picture either.

I would like to see a picture with the drawn lines.  Not sure exactly what you mean.  Do you draw the lines from the center to the corners or do you just draw a square.  And if you just draw a square, trim it and sew, how does that keep you from having pointy corners?

Thanks, Honeylioness! I get it now, thanks to your diagram.

Hi: You are actually redrawing the seamline so that it's a little curved at each end, rather than straight. Seam allowances remain the same--1/2"

I will upload a further illustration to clear up. But I am wowed by the interest! --Amber

Or you can look at Honeylioness' diagram. Much prettier! Also, love the tip on using men's shirting to change pillow covers.

This technique is also used by the pros to sew beautiful custom pillows.  Funny thing is that I made a pillow just last night, but I could not remember how to get rid of those too perky points on each corner of the pillow ( I call them cat or rabbit ears).  I wasn't happy with the pillow,  so  I set it aside and then I read your post today.  I should have caught up on my email before I started sewing that pillow, LOL.  I  haven't closed the pillow yet, so I can still fix it easily.  Thank you!  You always give great tips that I can use.

Thanks Gloria!

I also used this technique when I designed the pattern for "Mod Pillows" available here www.interweavestore.com/.../Mod-Pillows.html

When using a stiffer material such as felt, I prefer this technique to give the pillow a cleaner, more tailored look. I have also been know to put a curved dart in the corners just as I would for a fitted blouse if it works with the overall design.

Great tip, Cathy! Love that pillow!