PLEATED RIBBON makes a tailored frame around a button-strewn pillow.
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This stunning 2” striped ribbon – May Arts # 365-2-10 – needed to show its decorative potential.  A pleated pillow edging makes that happen.  Of course, the ribbon could also be gathered for a softer, less formal, look.

It is important to use a reversible ribbon for this project, as both sides are visible.

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MATERIALS:

• 16” pillow form

• ½ yard fabric (fabric shown is from the French General collection by Moda)

• 6 yards 2” RIBBON  (May Arts #365-2-10)

• Basic sewing supplies

• Decorative buttons optional

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INSTRUCTIONS:

• Iron fabric and cut into 2 pieces 16” square (this will result in a 15 ½” square pillow which will fit snugly without wrinkles or empty rabbit-ear corners).

• Place one fabric square, FACE UP, on a flat surface

• Pleat the entire ribbon by making light pencil marks as shown in Illustration #2.

• Crease ribbon straight across at *’s and fold to “O”, as shown in Illustration #3.

• Pin and repeat

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• To secure pleats, baste slightly less than ¼” from ribbon’s edge.

• Pin the basted, pleated ribbon along the entire edge of the first 16” fabric square – as shown in Illustration #4.

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• Place the second 16” fabric square FACE DOWN onto the decorated square.

• Pin together, taking care not to catch any of the ribbon.

• Stitch 3 sides of the pillow using a ¼” seam allowance.

• Stitch 3” from each end of the 4th side, leaving a 10” opening.

• Turn right side out to make sure that all of the pleated ribbon is free from the stitching.

• Turn back to the inside and trim corners and make any necessary stitching repairs.

• Insert the 16” pillow form and close the opening by carefully folding the 2 raw edges under ¼” and stitching closed by hand or machine.

**Be sure to check out the first tutorial from our Throw Pillow Series:  Throw Pillow with Geometric Ribbon Appliqué!**

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Blog Posted By: Ellen Highsmith Silver