Patchwork Pillow & Yo-Yo Towels

Step 2:

Dyeing Fabric

1.Shake all dye bottles before measuring dye. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix dye with hot water in gallon sized bags, following the recipes listed below. (Melony used recipes from the Rit Color Formula Guide.)

2.Immerse items listed in corresponding dye baths.



Muslin – 12” Squares

Orange #96 1 Tbs Sunshine Orange, 1 tsp Violet with 1 cup water
Red-Violet #136 1 tsp Fuchsia, 1 tsp Violet with 1 cup water
Purple #158 1 tsp Royal Blue, ¼ tsp Purple with 1 cup water
Brown 3 #371 2 tsp Dark Brown, 1 tsp Golden Yellow with 1 cup water



Muslin Pillow Back and Fabric Strips

3 Tbs Tan with 3 cups water

Flour Sack Towels

3 Tbs Tan with 3 cups water

Buttons

Mix 1/2 Tbs Dark Brown with ½ cup water



3. When desired color has been achieved, remove fabric pieces from dye using tongs and place on old towel. Lightly pat dry and wrap in plastic wrap, separating each color. Microwave on high for 2 minutes in plastic bowl.

4. Remove fabricpieces from microwave; allow to cool. Remove plastic and rinse in cool water until water runs clear. Then wash in warm water with mild detergent and dry. When dry, iron flat.

5. Drain buttons from dye bath and set on paper towels to dry.

Step 3:

Sewing Pillow & Making Yo-Yos

1.Cut fabric pieces to the following dimensions using rotary cutter and mat (1/4” seam allowances included). Reserve fabric scraps for tea towel yo-yos.

Purple – 9 ½” x 9”, 9 ½” x 4”
Red Violet – 4 ½” x 9”
Orange – 3 ½” x 9”
Brown – 3 ½” x 4”, 4 ½” x 4”

2.Lay pieces in patchwork pattern, as shown, and pin right sides together.

Step 4:

3.Machine stitch seams together using ¼” seam allowances. Knife pleat fabric strips into lengths to hide patchwork seams and machine stitch to pillow front. Pin right sides of pillow top and back together; machine stitch around edges, leaving an 8” opening at bottom for turning pillow right sides out. Steam seams and turn pillow right sides out. Insert pillow form and hand sew bottom opening closed using a whipstitch.

Step 5:

4.Make a 4” diameter circle template from cardboard. Trace 4” circles on wrong side of remaining tie- dyed fabric using fabric marking pen. Cut out circles with scissors. Trace six circles for each towel.

5.Thread hand sewing needle with thread. Sew a long straight stitch ¼” from edge of each circle. Pull to gather and form yo-yo, using fingers to center. Pull needle and thread from back to center front of yo yo. Sew buttons on in center. Repeat for eleven remaining yo-yos.

Step 6:

6.Fold towels into thirds lengthwise. Pin yo-yos to bottom half of towels in two lines of three. Allow space under yo-yos to write a sentiment. Then sew yo-yos in place, stitching through the holes in the buttons.

Step 8:

7.Use the disappearing fabric marking pen to write “Enjoy” and “Live Simply” (or sentiment of your choice) on bottom of each tea towel. Thread an Embroidery needle with three stands of black floss and embroider over each sentiment using the backstitch.