Varsity Letter Pillow

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1/2 yd Solid flannel for pillow - color of choice
• 1/4 yd Solid flannel for letter - color of choice
• 1/4 yd Black flannel for letter outline
• Embroidery thread - black and color of flannel letter
• All-purpose thread to match pillow flannel
• 1/2 yd HeatnBond Lite
• 1/4 yd Tear away stabilizer
• 16" Pillow form
• Pencil
• Rotary ruler, cutter and mat
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine
• Iron and pressing surface
• Pressing cloth

DIRECTIONS:

1. Enlarge selected letter to 9"-10" high.
2. Working from the wrong side of the letter pattern trace the outside edge of the letter on the paper side of the HeatnBond. If there are inside shapes to the letter such as the R, Q or other letters, be sure to trace those inside lines as well. Note: The letter will appear as a mirror image but will be correct when fused to the pillow.
3. Place another piece of HeatnBond paper-side up on the paper-side up traced letter. Trace the letter again but draw the lines 1/4" in from the first tracing. The letter will be slightly smaller than the first letter.
4. Fuse the first HeatnBond letter (the larger one) on the back of the black flannel. Fuse the smaller HeatnBond letter to the back of the colored letter flannel.
5. Cut out the flannel letters. Place the colored letter on top of the black letter. There should be 1/4" black outline all around the colored letter.
6. Out of the pillow flannel, cut one piece 17"x 17" and two pieces 11"x 17". Put the two smaller pieces aside for later use.
7. Place the layered black and colored flannel letters in the center of the 17" flannel square. Measure carefully to be sure the letter is centered on the square. Fuse the letters in place using the pressing cloth and plenty of steam.
8. Pin the stabilizer to the back of the pillow top, behind the letter.
9. Set the sewing machine up for the satin stitch with a stitch width of 2.5 to 2.8, stitch length .5 and reduce the thread tension slightly. Thread the machine with the embroidery thread that matches the colored letter. Sew the satin stitch around the flannel letter. Change the embroidery thread color to black and sew the satin stitch around the black letter. Press.
10. Change to all-purpose thread, set up the machine for the straight stitch and return the thread tension to normal. Hem one long edge on each of the two 11"x 17" back pieces for the back envelop closure. Press.
11. Layer the 17"x 17" piece face up and the two back pieces face down, overlapping the hemmed edges and matching the cut edges to the square below. Pin in place.
12. Sew the four sides using a 1/2" seam allowance.
13. Turn the pillow cover inside out and press.
14. Finish by inserting the pillow form.