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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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How-to: Awesomely Easy Living Room Accessories

July 6, 2011 Leave a Comment

It’s been just about two months since the hubs and I moved to Chicago from Lansing, MI. For most of that time, we’ve been doing a lot of … begrudging living in our living room. Brown wood floors, brown area rug, brown shelves, brown blinds, and a dark orange couch were the source of all of the begrudgery. I decided that some complementary, un-neutral colors were very much in order.

I found some nice fabric at JoAnn’s that was actually inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. This isn’t the exact fabric I used, but it’s close. Bonus: JoAnn’s had all home decor fabric 50% off this weekend. There were two ugly old pillows and a bit of foam lying around my craft room, so I thought I’d use them to create pillows and a bench cushion.

The go-to pattern I use when making pillows, dog beds, duvet covers, and basically anything rectangular and relatively flat is this: Measure your form’s length and width. Double each measurement and add 4-5 inches to ONE of the measurements and 1 inch to the other. Cut your fabric to this size. If you’ve got a 16×16″ pillow, you would cut a 36×33″ rectangle. The 4-5 inches allows your fabric to overlap and form a no-closure opening through which your pillow form (or other rectangular object) can fit inside the cover. The 1 inch provides seam allowance for the sides of the pillow. If you want a looser pillow or have a really fat pillow, you can always add more allowance to both measurements.

Sew a rolled hem along the shorter side of your fabric. Lay your hemmed fabric wrong side down on a work surface. Using your rectangular object/pillow form as a gauge, fold your fabric over like you’d fold a piece of paper before stuffing it in an envelope. Pin in place. If you cut your fabric with the selvage on one side, you can sew it so it’s hidden. Check out the pics to see how I used the selvage to my advantage. 

Sew along each side, and you’re done! Just turn the piece inside out and stuff your rectangular form inside it.  Seriously – memorize the pattern I used here, especially if you’re like me and not an experienced sewer. I was able to improve my blah living room in like 45 minutes. 

 

Filed Under: Home Decor, How-to Tagged With: colonial wiliamsburg, cushion, diy, foam, home decor, pattern, pets, Sewing

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « How-to: Fireworks Cookies & Edible Sparklers
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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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handsoccupied

Craft book author & pattern designer ❤️💛💙
knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé
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Please email for pattern support. 🧶

Heidi Gustad 🧶✂️
Working on a sample for some upcoming videos. It’s an overcast day with intermittent sunshine & I have a scruffy little sidecar. 🐶 Can’t complain! 
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What’s on your needles this week? 
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Yarn: @debbieblissknits Cashmerino Aran 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #knittinglife
Peg boards and craft room organization go together Peg boards and craft room organization go together like peanut butter and jelly. So, as you can see, do latch hook tools and screwdriver organizers! 🪛 
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I think this trick translates to any tool with a thick handle, so leather working tools, punch needles, print making tools, etc. should work! What other tools am I, a needlecrafter, blanking on right now? 
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#craftorganization #handsoccupied #latchhook #latchhooking
Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies Pegboard storage is my favorite for craft supplies, so getting a few hung in my new studio has been a priority. Here’s my first attempt. 🔨 
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Details: This pegboard panel is for organizing my knitting needles, latch hook tools, sewing thread, etc. It doesn’t need to hold much weight, so I didn’t anchor this into a stud - just used basic drywall anchors. I’ve also got a set of two 2’x4’ panels for another spot in my studio, and those will need a stud/more than 3 drywall anchors. Wish me luck! 
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[description: video features a woman hanging a panel of pegboard using a square dowel and drill]
It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year It’s time for the annual Hands Occupied new year update, and for the first time in years, I feel like I have some clarity about what I’m doing next. ❤️ Head to the blog to read all about it, the 1ink is where you’d think. 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #creativeburnout
June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is thi June’s face is giving, “What fresh heck is this?” 😆
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June’s big ears can get cold in winter, so I’m improvising a doggie ear warmer/hood for her. What are the odds she tries to shred it immediately when it’s done? 
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#knitting #knittingfordogs #handsoccupied #schneagle #wipwednesday #wip
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