Leather Throw Pillow Sleeve

Materials:

pillow forms
apple green & purple pig suede
apple green & purple silk
matching silk, polyester or nylon thread
rubber stamps:
- large spiral images #2/1-138, #4/1-140
- starflower crest D31054
- '50s petals C-3234
- small design element 14084 D
pearl violet, metallic olive green, metallic bronze, super copper, black fabric paint
black feather fringe
tape measure
scissors
leather scissors
cosmetic sponges
decorative filigree punches, moon, pie, diamond, tear drop
3/16" & 5/16" drive punch
mallet & punch board
rotary cutter with wave blade
craft knife
straight edge or ruler
straight pins
stitching needle for silk
binder clips
water-based white leather adhesive
sewing machine
iron & ironing board
rubber cement

1. Using a tape measure, determine the appropriate width and length of the silk to wrap around each of the pillow forms (figure A). To compensate for forms that are very plush and full, add an inch to each measurement for the silk covers.

2. For the 18" x 22" pillow form shown, a 24" x 38" piece of silk was cut. The 9" x 20" bolster required one 21-1/2" x 29-1/2" and two 10-inch round pieces of silk.

3. For the 18" x 22" pillow form, cut a piece of suede trim 11" x 38". For the 9" x 20" bolster, cut a piece of suede trim 12" x 29-1/2".

4. For both pillow forms, fold the length in half with the right side of the fabric together. Secure the two edges of the silk length that will wrap around pillow forms together with straight pins. Using a sewing machine, sew a 4-inch seam from each end. Leave a partially open edge in which to insert the pillow form into the silk cover.

5. Connect the length's edges but leave the center of the seam open. This will be hand-stitched at a later time.

6. For the 18" x 22" pillow cover, center the seam and pin the ends to secure before machine stitching the ends of the pillow cover. Press seams open. For the bolster cover, secure a 10-inch round silk trim piece with straight pins onto the open ends of pillow cover. Machine stitch to permanently secure and press seams open.

7. Turn pillow covers right side out and insert pillow forms. Hand-stitch open edges closed.

9. Place punch board on work surface, positioning stamped suede on board. Using filigree drive punches in varying shapes (figure C) and a mallet, add perforated surface accents using the stamped images as your guide (figure D).

10. Using a straight edge and a rotary cutter with a wavy blade, cut a decorative edge lengthwise on the suede trim pieces (figure E).

11. Using the white leather adhesive, secure cut lengths of feather fringe along both wavy cut edges for each suede trim piece (figure F).

12. Machine stitch the fringe to the suede's edge using a half-inch seam allowance for a dependable assemblage.

13. Fold the length of the suede trim in half with the right sides together. Use clamps to temporarily secure in place.

14. Using a half-inch seam allowance, machine stitch the ends of the suede trim piece together. Baste the sewn edges open with contact cement.