Sew a Decorator Pillow with Fringe

Decorative throw pillows are a fast and easy way to update your décor. Adding fringe will take your pillow designs to the next level! One popular type of fringe for pillow edges is “brush fringe” which is sewn into the seam to create a beautiful, plush edging. Mary Jo’s Cloth Store has a wide selection of brush fringe with a variety of sizes and styles in solid or comingled colors.

When shopping for brush fringe, you may notice that the fringe is stitched along both sides. One edge is firm and woven; this is the side that is sewn in the seam. The other edge, or cut edge, has a chain stitch to hold all the threads together. This makes sewing much easier and keeps the fringe neat and tidy. Don’t be tempted to pull the chain stitch until your project is finished – that is the last step!

Learn how to make your own pillow with brush fringe using the step-by-step instructions below.  We would love to see your finished pillows!  You can share photos on our facebook page here, or email to maryjocloth@gmail.com.

Step-by-Step:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric for the front and back of the pillow, adding 1-inch for seam allowances.  For this pillow the fabric was cut 18” x 18”.  It always looks best to center the pattern motif on at least one side of the pillow.    

2. The fabric used for this pillow frayed so the edges were serged.  If you are using a thin fabric you can add lining or a light-weight interfacing to the reverse side. 

3. Make a notch, or a mark on the center of each side of the front and back pieces.  

4. Starting in the center, at the bottom of the pillow front piece, sew the fringe to the outside edges on the face side..  Use a long stitch length (set at 3.5 to 4) and push the fringe towards the foot as you sew.  This would be a great time to use a walking foot or compensating foot on your machine. 

5. As you are sewing, curve the fringe around the corners.  Do not clip and turn at a right angle. 

6. When you have sewn all the way around the edges, cut off any excess fringe allowing for the two ends to overlap ½-inch and sew. 

7.  The front of the pillow now has the fringe sewn to all four sides.  It may look a little drawn-in, this is because the outer chain stitch has not been released yet. 

8. Pin the front piece to the back piece, face-to-face and lining up the center marks.  Pin in the center, and on each corner.  Sew together the front and back with the bottom piece underneath.  Make your stitching just to the inside of the previous stitch line.  Be sure to leave an opening along the bottom edge for turning right sides out. 

9. Turn the pillow right sides out.  Press with an iron if needed and insert a pillow form.

 

10.  Stuff with a pillow form.  (Tip: Use a form that is 1 inch larger for a tight, plump pillow).  Reach each inside and push down the seams, making sure they are all pushed in the same direction. Pin together the opening and hand stitch closed.  A zipper closure is not recommended with brush fringe unless it is inset on the back, and not in the seam.  

11. Your pillow is finished and now you can pull the chain stitch away from the edges and fluff the fringe.  

January Classes at Mary Jo's Cloth Store

Quilting Classes

	Wednesday, Jan 7 GET ORGANIZED 1: RULER CARRIER Time: 10 am – 3 pm Instructor: Kathy Dyas Fee: $30.00 each or $75 for all 3 classes
A great little accessory for your quilting needs. Whether you need a place to store your quilt rulers or transport them to your class / retreat. Multi pockets to hold a 12 1/2” square and an 8 1/2”x 24 1/2” plus a rotary cutter.
	Thursday Jan 8, 15, 22, & 29 BEGINNING QUILTING Time: 10 am – 2 pm Instructor: Daniela Hogan Fee:  $95.00 includes all 4 classes
This class will teach you all the basics for making your first quilt from start to finish. From pressing to borders you’ll learn it all. Whether you’ve never made a quilt before or you want to freshen up on the fundamentals, this class is for you.
	Thursday, Jan 8, 15, 22, & 29 BEGINNING QUILTING (NIGHT) Time: 6pm to 9pm Instructor: Cindy Jahnke Fee:  $75
This class will teach you all the basics for making your first quilt from start to finish. From pressing to borders you’ll learn it all. Whether you’ve never made a quilt before or you want to freshen up on the fundamentals, this class is for you.
	Tuesday, Jan 13th CHENILLE IT!!! Time: 10 am - 3 pm Instructor: Daniela Hogan Fee:  $35
Have you ever fallen in love with a preprinted panel but not known what to do with it? Chenille it!!! In this class you will learn this stunning technique that works on any sized panel!
	Wednesday, Jan 14 GET ORGANIZED 2: IRON CADDY Time: 10 am to 3 pm Instructor: Kathy Dyas Fee:$30.00 per class or $75 or all 3 classes
A cute little iron tote & ironing pad in one. Perfect for transporting your iron to and from quilt classes & retreats.
	Saturday, January 17th CRANBERRY CHUTNEY Time: 9 am to 2 pm Instructor: Cindy Jahnke Fee:  $35
This quilt is an amazing refresher from geometry class, but don’t worry, there will not be a quiz. Eight inch squares have never been so much fun. You will learn how to make an 8” square and placing 1” strips in each square.
	Saturday January 17th FABRIC PURSES, BASKETS & BOWLS Time: 3 pm to 5 pm Instructor: Cindy Janhke Fee:  $25
Learn to make these amazing bowls, baskets and purses from clothesline and fabric, using simple wrapping and coiling methods and zigzag stitching. You’ll make one project in class, but you’ll learn the techniques to make any project. These projects are easy and FUN to make and they make great gifts! Anyone and everyone can do this!!
	Tuesday January 20th BRIAR ROSE Time: 10am to 3pm Instructor: Daniela Hogan Fee:  $35
If you love scrappy quilts you won't want to miss this class! Do you like the look of this quilt but you don't want to sew 16 small squares together? You won't, because I've got a great technique to streamline the process.
	Wednesday, Jan 21 GET ORGANIZED 3: BEATLE BAG Time: 10 am to 3 pm Instructor: Kathy Dyas Fee:  $30.00 each or $75.00 for all 3 classes
The perfect bag to organize your life. From Quilting & Sewing supplies for classes, a first aid kit, or a travel bag for a quick weekend getaway. What a great way to showcase your favorite fabrics. Just Grab, Go, & Sew.
	4 Dates: Wednesday Jan 21st or Saturday Jan 24th, or Wed Feb 25th or Saturday Feb 28th MACHINE QUILTING BASICS (FREE-MOTION QUILTING) Time: 10am-1pm, 10:30am to 1:30pm, 10am to 1:00pm, or 2pm to 5pm Instructor: Karen Ponischil Fee:  $45 per class
Curvy, Geometric or Both? Learn what style you like best in this free-motion quilting class. You will learn the basics of free motion quilting. This is a no mark technique workshop where you will be introduced to several different free motion quilting patterns.
	Wednesday, January 21st INTRO TO THREAD PAINTING – GINKGO MINI Time: 2pm to 5pm Instructor: Karen Ponischil Fee:  $55 Pattern: $10
Learn the basics of painting with thread. In this class student will learn how to add color, shading and highlights to a flat area to give it dimension. Student will learn: -learn about stabilizers -what threads work well for thread painting -how to build color -how to add overall color, shading and highlights
	Saturday Jan 24th FRACTURED FLOWERS Time: 10am - 5pm Instructor: Cindy Jahnke Fee:  $55 Quilt size: Approx. 33.5” x 44.5”
This project works best with large print flowers patterns with a 24” repeat. The end results are stunning and admirers will wonder how you put the pattern together.

Sewing Classes

	Jan, 6, 13, 20, 27 and Feb 3 STITCH BY STITCH, LEARN TO SEW ONE PROJECT AT A TIME (5 CLASSES) Time: 6 pm to 9 pm Instructor: Pam Carter Fee: $100
Learn how to sew making 4 different projects. This class will teach you different sewing Techniques.
	Tuesday, Jan 6th from 5:00 – 8:00pm OR Wednesday, 1/7/15 from 9:00am – 12:00 SEWING CONCEPTS –1 “GETTING STARTED” Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury Fee: $30.00 per class or $100.00 all 4 classes
Learn about the Basic Concepts of Getting Started on a Project, We will discuss: Brief Sewing Machine Maintenance, Machine Tension, Marking Tools, Cutting tools, Pressing Tools, Correct needles, Using a Pattern Book, Pattern Envelope, Pattern & Fabric Layout, Adjusting Pattern Length, Fabric Selection, Interfacing, Pattern Placement Tips, Cutting Tips, Marking Tips
	Tuesday, Jan 13 from 5:00 – 8:00pm OR Wednesday, 1/14/15 from 9:00am – 12:00 SEWING CONCEPTS 2 – “STITCH IT UP” Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury Fee: $30.00 per class or $100.00 all 4 classes
Learn Concepts of starting to sew your project, you will learn: how to stitch seams (straight and curved), seam finishes, gather, make pleats, darts, tucks, under stitching, and easing.
	Tuesday, January 20th from 5:00 – 8:00pm OR Wednesday, 1/21/15 from 9:00am – 12:00 SEWING CONCEPTS 3: ZIPPERS, ZIPPERS, ZIPPERS Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury Fee: $30.00 per class or $100.00 all 4 classes
Learn how to put in a Centered (Dress) Zipper, Lapped Pants Zipper, and Invisible Zipper
	Tuesday, February 3rd from 5:00 – 8:00pm OR Wednesday, 2/4/15 from 9:00am – 12:00 SEWING CONCEPTS 4 – “FINISH IT UP” Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury Fee: $30.00 per class or $100.00 all 4 classes
In this class we will be learning how to finish your project to make it look professional. You will learn several hand hemming techniques, Top Stitching, Pressing seams – straight and curved, Button Placement, Sewing on buttons, Making Button Shanks, Closing openings – Such as on a pillow, and other “tricks of the trade”
	Wednesday, January 7th KIDS CREATE WITH MELANIE Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Fee: $20
Kids will learn needle-felting techniques using the needle felting mat and roving felt.
	Saturday January 17th MEMORY BOARD Time: 1 pm to 3 pm Instructor: Laurie Medford Fee: $30 per person
Making a unique and color-coordinated memory board is an easy and fast project to brighten up someone’s day. Join Laurie Medford as she walks through prepping the base and completing the upholstery for a one-of-a-kind memory board. Different ways to hang the memory board will be shown. Plan to join the hand’s-on class to create your very own memory board.

Home Decor

	January 15th CUSTOM DUST RUFFLES Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Skill Level: All levels Class Length: 2.5 hours Class Size: Minimum of 3 students and maximum of 12 students Instructor: Susan Woodcock Fee: $30 per person
Learn professional tips and techniques for sewing a gathered and pleated dust ruffles for your bed. After completing this class, you will have a better understanding of how to dress beds with a variety of dust ruffle styles, and the knowledge to sew your own custom dust ruffle with confidence!
	Saturday January 31st RECOVERING A REMOVABLE DINING ROOM SEAT Time: 1 pm to 3 pm Instructor: Laurie Medford Fee: $45 per person
Looking for a quick way to spruce up your dining room chairs? Is it time to recover the seats but you are not sure how to go about it? It’s easier than you think once you learn the basics of pulling fabric for professional corners. Join Laurie Medford as she walks through tearing down the existing seat, prepping the padding for the new fabric and then pulling the fabric for a perfect upholstered seat. Tips on when to change out the padding will be shared as well as three styles of corners. Join the demo session for the basics and then plan to attend the hands-on class to recover your won dining room chair seats.

Home Decor Days

	January 10th SIMPLE SLIPCOVERS FOR DINING CHAIRS Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Demo: Located in the Home Dec department Instructor: Susan Woodcock the Home Dec Gal Fee: Free
Join Susan Woodcock, AKA Home Dec Gal at Mary Jo's Cloth Store every Saturday of the month for free home decor mini workshops starting at 11am.

Clubs

	Saturday, January 10, 2015 EMBROIDERY CLUB Time: 9:00 am-10:30 am Instructor: Pam Carter Fee: $10.00 *Must sign up prior to class.
	every 3rd Saturday of the Month beginning on August 16th PARK BENCH BLOCK OF THE MONTH, MONTH 6 Time: 10 am to 1 pm Instructor: Daniela Hogan Fee: $250 includes fabrics for the top, pattern and 3 hours of instruction for 9 months.
	Class Policy:
-The class fee must be collected when you sign up for the class to guarantee your seat. Each fee is listed next to the class listing. -If you cannot attend a class for which you have registered you must let us know 7 days prior to class time. We will be happy to refund your class fee and/or register you in another class. / -If you cancel after the 7-day time allowance, up until the day of the class, your class fee is nonrefundable. -A minimum of 3 students is required for class. If this requirement is not met, usually the class will be canceled and you will be refunded your class fee. Mary Jos reserves the right to cancel classes for any reason. If this happens, you will be refunded your class fee. -There are no refunds on class fees for 'Special Event' teachers/classes within 30 days of class date unless we can fill your spot with another person. NO EXCEPTIONS!

December Classes at Mary Jo's Cloth Store

Quilting Classes

	Monday, December 1 GET IT DONE Time: 10 am – 3 pm Instructor: The Staff! Fee: $35
Need some help finishing a gift in time for the Holiday? Too many distractions at Home? Join us in Dec for some "Get it Done" classes! This class is also available Dec 8th through the 20th
	Tuesday, December 2 JOSEPHINE’S KNOT Time: 10 am – 3 pm Instructor: Daniela Hogan Fee:  $35.00
I've always been a fan of the “lovers knot” quilt block, I think the way the squares intertwine is stunning. This pattern has the same effect but on a larger scale. This beautiful pattern is great for any level of quilter
	Friday, December 5 SANTA BABY Time: 11 am – 4 pm Instructor: Aimee Griffin Fee:  $45
Whimsical quilt using the Stack and Slash Technique
	Saturday, December 6 ZIG ZAG Time: 10 am - 3 pm Instructor: Cindy Jahnke Fee:  $35
This class will show you how easy it is to make half square triangles with Triangulations. Pick out your favorite colors and follow the zigs and zags to a beautiful quilt.

Sewing Classes

	Wednesday, December 3 CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT Time: 9 am – 12 pm Instructor: Mary Sue Christenbury Fee: $30
Make a beautiful one-of-a-kind Christmas Tree Skirt. We will be using McCall's Pattern M6453. Select fabrics that will compliment your décor or make it for an early gift for Christmas.

Demos

	Tuesday, December 9 THE MANY USES OF QTOOLS
	Wednesday, December 10 BREAD BASKET
	Tuesday, December 16 TEA TOWELS

Kids Classes

	Saturday, December 13 KIDS CHRISTMAS PILLOW Time: 10 am – 1 pm Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Fee: $25
Calling all kids 9 years of age and older! Get ready for the Holidays with this fun Christmas Pillow. Kids will straight stitch and learn how to sew in a zipper using our Baby Lock Rachel Machine.
	Saturday, December 13 KIDS CHRISTMAS STOCKING Time: 2 pm – 5 pm Instructor: Melanie Stiwalt Fee: $25
Calling all kids 9 years of age and older! Impress Santa with this festive Felt and Ribbon stocking.

Clubs

	Saturday, December 6 PARK BENCH BOM Time: 2 pm to 5 pm Instructor: Aimee Griffin Fee: $250
Includes book, fabric and 3 hours each month for 9 months. Hands on Block of the month.
	Saturday, December 13 CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS DEMO Time: 11am Instructor: Susan Woodcock Fee: Free
Located in the Home Dec department.
	New Block Of The Month EL CAMINO REAL BLOCK OF THE MONTH – WE CAN ONLY TAKE 12 PEOPLE! Instructor: Daniela Hogan
From Nancy Rink, this quilt pairs her flair for color with prints inspired by California's rich history, a blend of Spanish Mexican and Native American traditions. Bright color and intricate motifs echo the decorative tile work of El Camino Real (The King's Highway) and the architecture of the region. The finished quilt measures 94 1/2" x 114". During this 12-month Block of the Month program, you will receive the pattern and fabrics needed to complete the quit top including borders and binding. There is a $30 non-refundable start-up fee and then only $25.95 per month. Save $90 and pay for the entire 12 months at once for $280! Classes start the first Saturday of February 2015 and continue the first Saturday of each month from 9-10am. Just want to buy the kit and pattern? You MUST preorder by December 1, 2014 in order to receive your kit. Kits will arrive the first week in February, 2015 and will be available for pick up or shipment. Kit price: $195