Do I have your attention now? Ha! Free anything right now really peaks my interest. Many Canadians are feeling the pinch and those of us who create need to spend even more time releasing the stress of it all by creating even more, yet that often means spending more money. It's a conundrum for sure.
There are times where we want to spend the money on a pattern and want to buy very specific fabric for it, but other times we just want a free pattern that can utilize some scraps and supplies we have on hand already. Solution, check out the INSPIRE tab on Janome.CA!
Please note, the above is a screen capture, there are no active links in the photo.
Janome Canada has a large collection of free projects for you on our Inspire Tab! We even have free embroidery files! Yes, FREEEE!!!
Please note, the above is a screen capture, there are no active links in the photo.
Recently, I decided I wanted to tackle the Oh! Canada Cushion by Canadian designer, Tamara Kate. I love a good paper pieced project and pillow sized means it won't take me 3 years to finish. I have so many partially finished quilts at the moment. Opps!
The pattern has great, easy to follow instructions and even gives you the name of all the fabrics used. However, any time we use a pattern, we often find that we do things a little differently and I thought I would give you a little run down of my approach to this project.
Made it scrappy:
- Before you go to the store by buy more fabric for this project, take a look at your scrap pile.
- In the materials list, all the fabrics used besides the background fabric require 1/8 yard. Typically, when writing a pattern, the designer gives fabrics in amounts that you may be able to purchase. If you were making this pattern and had zero fabric already you may be able to purchase 1/8 yard cuts, although I find 1/4 yard is the smallest most stores offer. If you already have fabric you really only need a piece a bit larger than paper section it needs to cover.
I had cut required fabric when I could have just used scraps
Add in Seam Allowances:
- The way the Foundation Paper template has been made is you cut it apart, then add in seam allowances while trimming.
- The benefit of this is it is easier to take the papers out after you finish sewing.
- I sometimes struggle with lack of seam allowances because I cut things too short or I find it hard to get things lined up properly when sewing sections together.
- To deal with this, I cut apart all the sections, glued them onto more paper and traced the required seam allowances, then cut these out to use as my templates.
Print pages at 100%
Tape pieces together
Cut out all units
Glue onto more paper
Drew in 1/4" seam allowance
Cut units out
Use HP Foot and HP Needle Plate if your machine is compatible:
- In the pattern, Tamara Kate uses the Janome Satin Stitch foot (F), which is one of my favourite presser feet. You can easily see through it and is perfect for Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP). It is definitely the foot I use when I don't have access to the Janome Professional Grade HP foot and HP Needle Plate.
- The HP foot has long toes which leave the perfect space for the line you are following on the paper. For me, this helps me stay on track the whole length of the line and I feel like I can be more relaxed as I sew. It is immediately obvious when you go off track!
Added Piping:
- Piping elevates pillows to the next level and although it may seem like a tricky technique, it really isn't.
- You can make the piping to blend in with your project or to stand out. Don't you love that burst of contrast red fabric?! Techniques such as this makes your project unique.
- Watch the video below to see the Janome Piping foot (I) in action. Also check out the A to Z with Janome Instagram LIVE series, which has been uploaded to the Janome HQ You Tube channel for more about how to use many Janome presser feet, including the Janome Piping foot (I).
Envelope closure:
- I didn't have the right sized zipper as stated in the pattern, so I decided to make the back of the pillow an envelope closure, which mean they overlap in the back.
- Envelope closures are super easy!
- Cut 2 pieces of backing the width of the pillow and long enough that they overlap by at least 3" (plus a hem allowance)
I chose to overlap my closure at the bottom of the pillow, but you could do so down the middle instead, if you wish.
- Hem the edges which will overlap.
- With right sides of the pillow top facing up, line up one of the back pieces at the top edge and the other at the bottom edge with the fabrics right side together.
- Pin/clip in place and sew around the edge using the appropriate groove in the Janome Piping Foot (I) to stitch close to the piping.
- Flip right side out and enjoy your masterpiece!
Our Inspire tab projects are there to inspire you; to get you sewing and to make the most of your Janome machines, presser feet and accessories. You can make your version of the project exactly as written, or make a few changes to make it your own. You do you!
Do you have a favourite project from our Inspire tab? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Stitch On!
~ AmandaBee
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