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the pom-poms where the marks intersect and pin them in place. Doubling up the thread in your needle for strength, slip stitch * each pom-pom firmly in place by hand.
    * See page 171 for an explanation of slip stitching.
    Step 7. Attach the front and back pillow panels together.
    Place the 2 pillow panels Right sides together, matching up the side raw edges, and pin them in place. Stitch a 1 / 2 ″ seam around the panels, leaving a 15″ opening in the center of one of the long side raw edges. Trim each of the corners in the seam allowance, making sure not to clip the stitching.
    Step 8. Finish the Pom-pom Pillow.
    Turn the pillow Right side out and press. Insert the muslin pillow form you made in steps 2 and 3 inside the pillow cover. Fold under the 1 / 2 ″ seam allowance in the opening and pin the opening closed. Slip stitch the opening closed by hand.
    FIGURE 4A

    FIGURE 4B

    FIGURE 4C

    FIGURE 5

CHAPTER 2
    KITCHEN Projects
    The projects that follow will bring some vintage charm to your culinary efforts Remember your grandma’s white tile and chrome kitchen? These placemats, napkins, aprons, and pot holders have all of that retro homeyness, with a little modern flair to boot. Plus, they make great gifts for new home-owners, moms, and amateur chefs alike. So awaken your inner June Cleaver and start heating up that kitchen—with style!

PLACEMATS
    FINISHED SIZE: 4 PLACEMATS: EACH 20″ WIDE × 15″ LONG
    A lovely, personal housewarming or wedding gift, these reversible placemats and large, dinner-sized reversible NAPKINS (page 43) are truly a modern heirloom to be cherished.

PLACEMATS AND NAPKINS

FABRICS
    • 2 yards (44″-wide) home-decor-weight cotton for the centers and backs of the Placemats
    • 1 / 2 yard (44″-wide) coordinating mid-weight cotton for the sides of the Placemats
    • 2 yards (22″-wide) Timtex * or similar extra-heavyweight interfacing
    * See page 172 for an explanation of Timtex.
    OTHER SUPPLIES
    • Coordinating thread
    • Yardstick
    • Chalk pencil or fabric marker
    • Scissors
    • Masking tape
    • Straight pins
    • Turning tool (such as a closed pair of scissors)
    • Hand sewing needle
    NOTES
    • All seams are 1 / 2 ″ unless otherwise stated. (The 1 / 2 ″ seam allowance is included in all cutting measurements.)
    • Preshrink your fabric by washing, drying, and pressing it before starting your project. To wash Timtex after completing your project, machine wash warm, then reshape your project and air dry. Your project will press back into shape with a steam iron. Once you steam the project, lay it flat while air drying.
    Step 1. Cut out all pieces from the fabric.
    a. Simply measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the Wrong side of your fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.
    FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE CENTERS AND BACKS
    • Cut 4 center panels: 15″ wide × 16″ long
    • Cut 4 back panels: 21″ wide × 16″ long
    FROM THE FABRIC FOR THE SIDES
    • Cut 8 side panels: 4″ wide × 16″ long
    FROM THE TIMTEX
    • Cut 4 panels: 15″ wide × 20″ long
    b. In order to keep your pieces organized, mark each piece by writing the name on a piece of masking tape and attaching it to the Wrong side of each panel as it is cut.
    Step 2. Make the front of the Placemat.
    First, with Right sides together, place one side panel onto one center panel, matching up the left side raw edge of the center panel with the right side raw edge of the first side panel, and pin it in place. Attach by stitching a 1 / 2 ″ seam down the matched side raw edges, backstitching at each end. Then, press the seam allowance toward the side panel. Repeat this step to attach another side panel onto the right side raw edge of the first center panel. ( FIGURE 2 )
    Step 3. Attach the front and back panels together.
    With Right sides together, pin the front of the Placemat and the first back panel together. Attach by stitching