Arabian Nights Pillow Project from Fragrant Delights Magazine

Presented by RNK Distributing
Supplies Needed:
  • FREE design Opulence (by Jenny Haskins Designs)
    click here     to download free design.
  • 50cm x 114cm (1/2yd x 45in) napped peach silk for pillow top
  • 50cm x 114cm (1/2yd x 45in) napped golden green silk for pillow top and backing
  • 9cm (3 1/2in) diameter circular motif for centre of pillow
  • 152cm x 7.5cm (60in x 3in) peach and golden green bobble trim
  • One roll Quilt Magic light weight fusible batting by RNK
  • Web Magic double sided fusible web by RNK to back bobble trim
  • Hoop Magic self-adhesive tear-away stabiliser by RNK for embroidery
  • Machine needle: Microtex 80
  • Machine feet: embroideryt, open toe and 1/4in quilting
  • Threads: Robison-Anton thread: Pistachio 2250, Cypress 2545, Pro Cinnamon and Salmon 2299
  • Construction thread
  • Fine pre-wound bobbins
  • Water-soluble fabric marking pen
  • Rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat and quilting ruler
  • Heat activated crystals and heating wand
  • Vellum tracing paper
  • 33cm (13in) cushion insert
  • Heavy duty spray starch
  • General sewing requiremen

Reversing out embroidery colours to that of fabric is an uncomplicated technique yet the results are spectacular!

One can imagine this pillow is taken directly from a Sultan's tent. The Arabian Nights pillow reflects the lavish décor we fantasize the interior of such a tent would look like. Using sultry silk fabrics embellished with designing embroidery, sumptuous trims and finished with glittering crystals, can you not picture the 'Sultan' in your family (or a member of his 'harem') reclining on such a pillow - well maybe not; however it is stunning to look at and so straight forward to make.

PREPARATION

NOTE: When cutting nap fabric it is important that when the pillow is constructed the nap of the fabric runs in the same direction for all sections of the pillow.
1. Use the rotary cutter, self-healing cutting mat and quilting ruler to cut from:
Napped peach silk and Quilt Magic:
-two, 20cm (8in) squares for pillow top (silk only)
-two, 7.5cm x 35.5cm (3in x 14in) for pillow border strips
-two, 7.5cm x 50cm (3in x 19 1/2in) for pillow border strips
Iron batting to back of border strips
Golden green silk:
-two, 20cm (8in) squares for pillow top
-two, 49.5cm x 30.5cm (19 1/2in x 12in) rectangles for pillow backing
Quilt Magic light weight fusible web:
-one, 40.6cm (16in) square to back pieced pillow top
2. Download the FREE embroidery design Opulence and then transfer it to the machine. Also print one design template on vellum.
Click here to download free design.
3. Use the 1/4in quilting foot and construction thread to sew the four 20cm (8in) squares together so that two matching fabric colours are opposite and then press the seams flat.
4. Iron the 40.6cm (16in) square of Quilt Magic, to the back of the 20cm (8in) square pillow top.
5. Use several coats of heavy duty spray starch, ironing between coats, to stabilise the top for embroidery.
6. Use the fabric-marking pen and quilting ruler to divide the top with diagonal lines that intersect through the centre of the pieced top; (each line should pass through the point at which the four squares meet).
7. From the centre of the top on each diagonal line measure out 10cm (4in) and mark, and then draw horizontal lines through these points. These intersecting lines are the placement positions for embroidery design Opulence. Also on the diagonal lines, measure out from the centre, 2.5cm (1in) and mark; this marks the position that the base of the embroidery motif (bottom of the loop) sits.
EMBROIDERY
8. All embroidery uses the Hoop Magic stabiliser in the hoop, the embroidery foot, a pre-wound, RA threads in the size 80 Microtex needle.
9. Use the Opulence design template centred over the horizontal 10cm (4in) marked line using the 2.5cm (1in) mark on the same line to confirm the design placement.
10. Refer to Diagram No 1 on the pattern for the thread stops and colour sequence for this design and then embroider all four designs referring to the photo as a guide.
11. Clip the jump threads, remove excess stabiliser and then press the embroidery and use a spray bottle and water to remove the fabric marking pen lines. Square the pillow top to 35.5cm (14in).
12. Attach the 9cm (3 1/2in) diameter motif to the centre of the pillow.
CONSTRUCTION
13. Use the 1/4in patchwork/quilting foot to join the 7.5cm (3in) border strips to the pillow top. Complete the pillow in your usual way using the two 49.5cm x 30.5cm (19 1/2in x 12in) golden green backing fabric strips. Stitch-in-the-ditch in the seamline around the centre square of the pillow then top stitch the outside edge of the pillow 6mm (1/4in) from the turned edge.
14. Iron 13mm (1/2in) strips of Web Magic to the back of the bobble trim header, then press it in place around the embroidered centre square of the pillow and stitch it down on both sides of the header.
15. Use the heating wand and heat activated crystals to embellish the centre motif and embroidery designs, and then place the insert in the pillow and let your creative imagination fly!