Shibori Flag-Fold Pillow

 

Shibori Flag-Fold Pillow

The intricate patterns in this dyed fabric were created by folding the fabric like a flag and binding the corners with rubber bands. The folded fabric is dyed Golden Yellow first and then the corners are dipped in Teal, which creates the yellow/green patterns. It’s fun to see the effects of color mixing!

Pillow Finished Size: 14" x 14"

 

Supplies Needed

For Dyeing

  • Rit Liquid Dye: Golden Yellow & Teal
  • 1 ¼ Yd. 45” Wide Cotton Fabric
  • Rubber Bands
  • Small plastic disposable container (3 cup)
  • Glass Bowl
  • Measuring Cup
  • Large Spoon
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Plastic Table Cover

 

For Sewing

  • 14” x 14” Pillow Form
  • 2 Yds. 3/16” Cotton Cording
  • Coordinating Thread
  • Hand Needle
  • Ruler & Scissors
  • Straight Pins
  • Sewing Machine

 

 

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry fabric to remove any sizing or finishes.
  2. Cut three pieces of fabric: 18” x 22”, 16” square and 26” square. Each piece of fabric will be dyed separately.

Dyeing Pillow Top

  1. Using the 18” x 22” piece of fabric, fold fabric into thirds in the long direction. Press with an iron for crisp lines.
  2. Then flag-fold the fabric, moving the strip of fabric back and forth so the folds are on the outside of the triangle. Press with an iron for crisp lines.


     

  3. Bind off the corners of the triangle with rubber bands, placing them about 1" from tips.

     
  4. Immerse folded fabric in warm water while preparing the dyes.

Dye Preparation:

  1. Cover work surface with plastic table cover. Shake liquid dyes before measuring. Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix the dyes as follows.

    ½ Cup Golden Yellow + 4 Cups very Hot Water
    1 T. Teal + 1 Cup very Hot Water

  2. Remove tied fabric from water. Squeeze out excess water. Place in plastic dish. Pour Golden Yellow dye over flag-folded fabric. Open folds with a spoon to help dye penetrate fabric. Push down with spoon as well. Then remove folded fabric from dye and squeeze out excess dye.
  3. Dip corners in Teal dye. Place in plastic container.

     
  4. Microwave: Cover container with plastic wrap. Line microwave with paper towels. Heat set dyes in the microwave on HIGH for 1 -2 minutes. Wearing rubber gloves, 
    carefully remove dish from the microwave.
  5. Rinse in cool water and remove rubber bands. Continue rinsing until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent; rinse and dry flat.

Marble Dyeing Pillow Back & Piping

  1. Take 16” and 26” square pieces of fabric and immerse in warm water.
  2. Dye Preparation: Measure and mix ½ cup Golden Yellow dye with 1 ½ quarts hot water in glass bowl.
  3. Remove fabric and squeeze out excess water. Push into dye bath. Microwave, rinse and launder as above.

Sewing Pillow

Note: Stitch using ½” seam allowances.

  1. Cut one 15” square piece of fabric from Shibori-dyed pillow top. Cut one 15” square from marble-dyed pillow back.
  2. Make Fabric Piping: Fold Golden Yellow dyed 26” fabric square in half diagonally to locate the bias line. Cut bias strips 1 3/4” wide from fabric. Join bias strips with ¼” seams as shown:

    creating one long continuous strip that equals the perimeter of the pillow plus 4” (about 72”). Wrap wrong side of bias strip around the cotton cord, lining up raw edges. Using a zipper foot, stitch as close as possible to the cord:

    Finished piping should have ½” seam allowances.

  3. Pin piping to right side of pillow top with raw edges aligned. At corners, clip piping to line of stitching to ease it around corners. Leave longer tail of piping at one end.
  4. Machine stitch piping to pillow top, beginning 1” from pinned end. Stop stitching 2” from point where cording ends will meet. Cut long end of cording so it butts up with the other end. Trim bias fabric so it overlaps other end by 1”. Turn under raw edge ½” and wrap over the other end and finish stitching:

     
  5. Pin pillow top with piping to pillow back, right sides together. Stitch together, leaving an 8” opening centered along one side. Trim corners and turn fabric right sides out.
  6. Insert pillow form and hand stitch opening closed.

Details