Go For the Gold! This is a great message for children and athletes all over. Use this pillow to support your team during major games, or to inspire everyone to go for it! Erin Schlosser from Schlosser Designs has shared this project with Janome that uses an easy to learn technique of writing with sequins.
Janome Supplies Required
- Janome sewing machine (Erin uses the Horizon Memory Craft 15000)
- Sequin/Ribbon Foot
- AcuFeed Flex Single unit with VD Foot
- Artistic Gold Metallic Thread
- Red Tip Needle
Fabric and Notions Required
Other Fabric and Notions Required:
Fabric:
- 1/2 yard linen for pillow front (Cut to 17″ x 31″)
- 1/2 yard coordinating print for pillow back (Cut to 17″ x 31″)
Notions:
- (2) 17″ x 31″ rectangles of cotton batting or fusible fleece
- 5 yards of 1/4″ gold sequin trim
- 3 yards of coordinating ball fringe
- Fabric Marking Pen
Instructions
Sewing Instructions:
- Print out lettering template here and tape together. It will look similar to this when taped together.
- Center template underneath front fabric and trace lettering using the fabric marking pen. (Using a light table or taping to an exterior window will make this process much easier.)
- Set the machine up for sewing by choosing the Utility Stitch #9 (Middle zig-zag stitch). Set the width to 7 and the length to 4. The Ribbon/Sequin foot has 4 different places that you can feed the ribbon or sequins through. We’ll be using the top one shown here:
- Start feeding the sequin trim through and stitching slowly. The sequin trim will look like this when correctly inserted into the foot:
- Follow the line you traced with the sequin trim.
A few tips for working with the sequin trim and specialty foot:
-Make certain that the sequins are laying in a direction where each sequin won’t get caught on the foot. They should all be laying the same way, going in the direction that they’ll be sewn onto the pillow front.
-Go slow, and remember that it’s ok to pivot multiple times on each curve. On the tighter curves of some of the letters I’d only make 1-2 stitches before pivoting. This helped the curves flow better. (Make it even easier to pivot by using the Foot Up Key found along the top of the stitch screen!)
-Be sure you lock each stitch stop and start. This will ensure that the sequins stay in place.
It should look like this when completed:
- Baste batting pieces to the front and back pillow pieces.
- Switch out the specialty foot for the Dual Feed Foot VD. Use Utility Stitch #1 (straight stitch) set with the width at 4.5 and the length at 5.0. Baste the ball fringe to the front piece around all edges.
- Place pillow front and back, right sides together, on the table and pin well. Continue using the Dual Feed Foot VD. Set the straight stitch to a width of 0 and length of 3.0. Stitch around all edges, leaving a generous opening on the bottom side.
- (We’re leaving a larger than normal opening so that the sequin side has ample room for turning right sides out.) Turn right sides out, stuff, hand sew the opening shut, and enjoy!