Happy Days Applique Pillow

Happy Days Pillow Tutorial

You will need: Piece of plain fabric for embroidery 11” x 9” Scraps of fabric for applique Embroidery floss in 3 colours to tone with your fabric choices plus very dark brown and sandy orange 3 small buttons Piece of ticking or deckchair strip fabric 12” x 10” (optional) 3 pieces of dotty fabric (or pattern of your choice) 1 piece 18” x 18” square, 2 pieces 15” x 18” 18” cotton ribbon (optional) 1 cushion pad 18 x 18” square Fabric spray adhesive or Bonadweb, whichever you prefer using.

Air-fade or washable fabric marker Pinking shears © DevonBear Designs 2010

Applique Panel The pattern on the following page is given full size. As this is a relatively simple design you do not need to transfer it to your fabric.

Cut out the fabric shapes, and apply to the linen panel using either Bondaweb or spray adhesive, whichever technique you prefer. Apply the main hut shapes first, then the roof pieces and finally the doors.

When all the pieces are arranged to your satisfaction, stitch the edges with a machine zig-zag – fairly short in length, but a reasonable width. This will give your piece extra strength.

With your fabric marker pen write in the words “Happy Days” using the pattern as a guide. Also mark in the seagulls.

Stitch the apexes of the beach huts, the lintels and steps as shown in the picture using satin stitch. The steps are worked in a sandy orange to be reminiscent of the beach. The words “Happy Days” and the seagulls are worked in back stitch.

Attach the buttons for door handles using different colours of floss.

Press your work.

© DevonBear Designs 2010

Š DevonBear Designs 2010

Assemble the front panel Trim your applique panel, and if you are planning to use vertically striped fabric be very very sure that your lines are straight(!) (This is the voice of sad experience).

Leave about 0.75” around the edge of the design. I find a quilter’s square useful, but it’s not essential to do this.

Mark your cutting lines with your fabric marker and cut using pinking shears. This will help prevent excessive fraying of your panel with wear and tear.

Cut along the lines with your pinking shears.

Place your applique panel in the middle of your ticking fabric (if using). Machine stitch around the edge of the applique about 0.25” in from the edge. Then mark your ticking fabric so that about 0.75 to 1” border remains all the way round and cut along your marker lines with your pinking shears.

Place your double panel in the middle of your !8” square piece of dotty fabric (hint: find the middle by folding into four diagonally. Where the lines cross is the centre of the fabric).

Machine stitch the double panel into place.

© DevonBear Designs 2010

Prepare the reverse panels Fold over twice one long edge on each of the 15” x 18” pieces of fabric. Press the folds into place. Machine stitch one piece.

On the second piece place your cotton ribbon (if using) on the right side of the fabric about 0.25” in from the folded edge. Machine stitch into place along both edges of the ribbon. This should also have the effect of machine stitching your fabric hem too.

Assemble your pillow Make a sandwich as follows: 1.

2.

3.

Place front panel right side up.

Place reverse panel with ribbon right side down, matching the unfinished edge with one outer edge of the front panel.

Place second reverse panel right side down matching the unfinished edge with the opposite outer edge of the front panel.

You will see how the envelope opening is formed. Make sure the opening is vertical.

© DevonBear Designs 2010

Machine stitch around the edges of the cushion about 0.5” in from the edge. You may wish to stitch twice for extra strength.

Trim the seams using your pinking shears to avoid excess fraying. Cut across at the corners.

Turn right side out and insert pillow pad through the envelope opening. That’s it – you’re done!!

© DevonBear Designs 2010

Now just sit back and wait for the compliments!!

I do not mind if you sell items you personally make with this tutorial, but do not go into mass production!! This tutorial is not to be copied for resale. Thank you.

Š DevonBear Designs 2010