Summer DIY's

This year I am re-doing my classroom.  I took down all my boards, boarders etc... and I did a little shopping.  I have a whole new color scheme planned--I can't wait to start re-decorating.  But, since we can't get into our rooms until August I needed to do some other things so spruce up my room. So I decided to get crazy and sew up some new pillows for my classroom.  Last year, I bought some mats for the kids to sit on from Wal-Mart.  You know the red and blue ones that fold out into 4 sections. Anyway, with 18 students, kids were always wanting a turn, and I didn't have enough.  
     
So I decided to give my sewing skills some practice.  I bought 3 yards of inexpensive fabric from, you guessed it--Wal-Mart.  I also got a package of 4 foam inserts (16x16x1).  The 3 yards perfectly fit the four cushions!  Yeah!  So I cut, and ironed and sewed, and sewed and sewed some more. I have one of those mini-hand-held sewing thing-a-ma-jigs.  Well, either mine is defective or they all work rather poorly. For some reason the battery compartment doesn't connect correctly. So I had to squeeze it with all my hand-strength (which is not that much) in order for it to go.  Then, my hands would give out and I had to stop. Needless to say  I started pricing sewing machines, as my fingers were getting tired. In the long run, a needle and thread is just as effective. I am pretty proud of myself though.  They came out super cute and I only spent about $10.00 for the whole project.  Plus I sewed them so I can take them off like pillow cases and wash them every now and again.

First Iron it, then fold in half and leave a little extra at the top for the flap. The pretty side of the fabric is not showing so afterwards you will have a nice seam on the outside of your pillow.

After you sew each side, turn it inside out and Iron the hems  of the flap to make it easier to keep it straight.

I cut fabric off from the top flap to add ties.  I cut it into four thin strips and sewed them to the flap and mid-pillow.

See how it flaps over and ties on each side.  You can untie it and remove the insert to wash it.

Here's a close-up.

Hope you can use these ideas. Let me know if you get a chance to try it out.
Jessica j