Drop Cloth Rosette Pillow

Rosettes have been around for some time, but I love the look and thought I would give it a try - out of drop cloth of course.  This pillow was a delight to make:

Easy + Quick + Fun = Perfect Project for Me

I found a nice size rectangular pillow at Ikea for $6.  To determine the fabric amount for the pillowcase take the pillow's width and add 2" then take its' length, double it then added an another 8".  My pillow was 15" x 24" so the fabric piece I needed was 17" x  56".

This extra 8" you add to the length will give you enough material to have a back "flap" so you can change up the pillow for a new case as the seasons (or your tastes) change.  I used these measurements when making my drop cloth ruffle pillow and it worked really well!

For each rosette, I tore a 1 1/2" wide strip to the same length as the pillowcase length (56") - the smaller rosettes were 28" long strips.  You can see how frayed drop cloth gets when it is torn, but I happen to love that texture and I think it translates well into these shabby chic rosettes!

Now there are tons of great tutorials out there for making rosettes ... I did a little of one, a little of another and it worked perfectly.  I tied a knot in one end of the drop cloth strip then did a kind of twist, wrap and hot glue dot dance around the knotted center again and again until the strip was all wound up.  Secure the end with a dap of hot glue underneath the rosette.

I think that the twisting is important because it gives the rosettes some frayed edges and some rolled "finished" edges.

Once you have the number of rosettes that you want (an uneven number looks best), lay them out on your pillowcase fabric to determine the best placement.






















Using embroidery thread (all six threads for strength) I attached each rosette to the other.  I happened to have yellow on hand but you could use any colour because you won't see it in the end.

















Attach the set of rosettes to the pillow fabric with a couple of stitches using embroidery thread.

To stitch up the case, take the length of the fabric and fold down one end about 8" or so (this will be the flap in the back).  Bring the bottom end up to meet the top of the pillowcase.  Pin the long sides together and sew down the length using about a 1 to 1 1/2" seam allowance.  

I like to sew back and forth a few times over where the flap on each side so that nothing rips when you are putting in the pillow form.  Don't forget to trim your corners (close to the stitching), then turn it right side out, wiggling the corners into points.  I think the whole project took me an hour and a half from beginning to end.  

* Don't forget to wash the drop cloth before using it so it won't be as stiff.  I also bleached it a little this time which lightened it to a nice creamy white.

- Kristin -

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