MAKING EURO SHAMS

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What's a girl to do when she wants a pair of euro shams to match the curtains she just made?

Make them herself... of course! And that is just what I did!

If you can sew a straight line, you can make pillow shams. And I'll show you how...

Making a patterned euro sham is just a little trickier than a solid one.  BUT you can do it... I did! And believe me I am not a seasoned seamstress!

Here are a couple of things you will need to think about when making a patterned euro sham.

Each pair of pillow shams uses 2 ~ 30 x 30 inch pieces of fabric and 4 ~ 17 x 30 inch pieces of fabric.

You will need to buy more fabric than that because you will want the pattern of your fabric to be centered on your sham and you will want them to match.

 You will also have to "match" the patterns on the back of the sham with the opening. There was quite a bit of fabric waste on my pillow shams as the repeat of the motif was 27 inches!

BUT, it is so worth it! I have a set of designer euro shams that match my curtains!

Let's get started...

StoneGable Euro Sham Tutorial

This makes ONE 28 inch square Euro Sham. Double the instructions to make 2 euro shams.

Cut 1 piece of fabric 30 x 30. Make sure to center the design in the middle of the material.

Cut 1 piece of fabric 30 x 17 . If you are working with a pattern, make sure the pattern is where you want it on the pillow.

 Fold over the 30 inch center edge 1/2 inch and 1/2 inch again and sew to secure. 

Cut another piece of fabric 30 x 17 matching the pattern on the fabric to the other 30 x 17 inch piece.

 Pin it to make sure it lines up properly.  Just to double check, I pin the pillow top together with the pillow back panels before going any further.

If everything lines up perfectly, sew the inside seam of this 30 x 17 inch piece.

Fold over 1/2 inch and 1/2 inch again. Sew to secure.

Now it's time to sew your pillow together.  Repin your pillow back center seams together matching the pattern, making sure your pillow back measures 30 x 30.

Lay the pinned pillow back RIGHT SIDE UP on a flat surface. Lay the pillow front WRONG SIDE UP on top of the pillow back. Pin together.

I am not a fan of what I call French Bulldog Corners (however I love real French Bulldogs!). Some homemade pillows have corners that spike up like the ears of a French Bulldog! They are a tale-tell sign of  a novice seamstress. And they are so easy to fix!

With just a few measurements and a couple of drawn lines you can have professional tapered corners!

Here's how...

1 ~2. This is to be done on all corners... measure and mark 3 inches on each side of a corner

3~4 Measure and mark 1 inch one each side of a corner

5. Draw a live between the 3 inch mark on one side to the 1 inch  mark of the other side.

6. Do the same with the remaining two marks. 

Measure and mark all 4 corners.

7. This will be your sewing guide. 

 Using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, sew up the outside edges of the euro sham. When you get to the corners follow the lines you marked.

8. Cut off excess and clip corners.

Look at these pretty corners!!! Easy!

I just found out that you can also purchase a little template that will make tapered corners on your pillows. Just thought you should know!

Press seams and iron the pillow sham.  With right sides out, sew a 1 inch seam around the outside of the euro sham. This will make the flange.  

Iron the sham and stuff them with a Euro Pillow insert. I recommend POTTERY BARN PILLOW INSERTS. They are rather inexpensive and are wonderfully pouffy!

Here is a tiny glimpse at the Gable Room...  The curtains and the pillow shams add a splash of subtle color and warmth to this antique feminine room.

Come back on Saturday and I will tell you about the Gable Room Bed!

OPEN HOUSE at No Minimalist Here

FEATHER YOUR NEST FRIDAY at French Country Cottage
INSPIRATIONAL FRIDAYS At The Picket Fence