Instructions

1. Using the copy machine or scanner, enlarge the pattern located at the end of these instructions so that it is 10"×10" and transfer the enlarged pattern onto the center of the white linen twill fabric.
2. Starting with the top left section of the design, hoop a portion of the fabric. Because this design is much larger than the hoop, you will need to work in sections, unscrewing the hoop and rehooping as you complete an area.
3. Embroider the outline of the design using Split Stitch.
4. Embroider the rest of the design, using colors and stitches as indicated in the pattern diagram. For this design, wrap the thread around the needle four times for each French Knot Stalk.
5. Block your finished crewelwork.
6. Trim 2" (5 cm) from each side of your embroidery, leaving a 1" (2.5 cm) border on all sides. The linen fabric with finished crewelwork should now measure 20" (51 cm) square.

Adding the Backing

7. Lay your crewelwork face down on a flat surface. Place the piece of 20" (51 cm) square lining fabric on top of your crewelwork. Pin the two pieces of fabric together and baste with the sewing thread and hand sewing needle, using a series of long, 1" to 2" (2.5 to 5 cm) straight stitches in diagonal rows spaced about 3" (7.5 cm) apart (figure 6). Don’t make these stitches too tight, since you’ll remove them later.
    
   
8. Using sewing thread and hand sewing needle, and working on the front side of your crewelwork, make a line of Back Stitch parallel and very close to the outer edge of the Split Stitch crewel outline (figure 7). Set aside.
    
   
9. Lay one of the 16" x 20" (40.5 x 51 cm) pillow back pieces of fabric face down on a flat surface. Place one of the 16" x 20" inch (40.5 x 51 cm) pieces of lining fabric on top of the pillow back fabric. Pin together and baste as described above. Repeat for the second piece of pillow back and lining fabric.
    
   
10. For each pillow back piece, fold one long edge 2" (5 cm) in toward the lining. Press with a hot iron, or form a crease by rubbing your fingers along the fold. Fold again another 2" (5 cm), press or crease with fingers, and pin along the folded edge (figure 8).
     
    
11. Using sewing thread, run a line of Blanket Stitch along the inside folded edge on each of the pieces (figure 9). Remove the pins. You should now have two 12" x 20" (30.5 x 51 cm) pieces of basted, lined, and hemmed fabric that will be used to make the backing for your pillow.
     
    

Assembling the Pieces

12. Lay your basted and lined crewelwork face up on a flat surface. Lay one of the small pieces face down on top of the crewelwork, with the fold in the middle and the left side edges lining up (figure 10). Pin the left side edges together. Lay the other small piece in the same manner, matched to the right side edge of the crewelwork, and pin the right side edges. The two folded and hemmed edges now overlap in the center (figure 11).
     
    
     
    
13. Pin the top and bottom edges, and place a few pins through the center, where the two smaller pieces overlap. Flip your work so that the lining side of the crewelwork is facing up.
14. Using sewing thread and Back Stitch, and following the line of Back Stitch you made in step 12, sew the three pieces together in a seam around all four edges, sewing right on top of the first row of Back Stitch.

Finishing Steps

15. Remove all of the pins.
16. Trim the seam allowances to 1⁄2" (1.3 cm).
17. Trim the corners, being careful not to cut through the stitching (figure 12).
     
    
18. Remove the basting stitches.
19. Turn the pillow right side out.
20. Using the end of a blunt scissors, knitting needle, or chopstick, gently push out the corners. Be careful not to push too hard, or you’ll poke a hole in your work.
21. With the fabric pen, mark a spot in the center of the back of the pillow on the folded edge where a button will go. Stitch the button in place. If desired, add two more buttons, each about 4" (10 cm) equidistant from the first.
22. Fold a piece of ribbon in half and pin to the inside of the upper pillow flap with just enough hanging out to loop around the button (figure 13). Stitch in place. If you’ve used additional buttons, add ribbon loops for those as well.
     
    
23. Slip your pillow into the opening of your pillow cover, adjust, and button up.
     
    

Variations

Pattern Template