DIY Pillow Cover - with Sophie

Hey everyone, my name is Sophie, and I run the sewing and interior design blog, iDesigns by Sophie! I love Just Pepperminty and I'm so excited to be doing a guest post here! The first thing I sewed by myself was a pillow cover, so that's what I'll be sharing with you today.

Here's what you'll need:

• Pillow insert (for this tutorial, I used a 12 x 16 inch insert)                            
• 1/4-1/2 yard of fabric, depending on your pillow size
• Thread 
• Sewing scissors
• Rotary cutter (optional)
• Thread snips (optional)
• Pins
• Needle

(note from Juli) If you guys are looking for a place to buy a pillow insert then you should check out PillowCubes! They're currently offering a discount for Just Pepperminty readers, so go find something you like and check out with the code: 10JustPepperminty and you'll receive 10% off your order!

Step 1: Wash and iron the fabric. It's important to wash the fabric because it softens it a little but, and also rinses off whatever weird coating or chemicals that could be on it from the manufacturer. I would recommend running a quick zig-zag stitch around the edges before doing this so that the fabric doesn't fray.

Step 2: Cut the fabric to size, taking a 5/8 seam allowance into consideration on every side. So, since I was using a 12 inch x 16 inch pillow insert, I cut the fabric into two 13.25 inch x 17.25 inch pieces.

Step 3: Lay the fabric pieces on top of each other with the right sides touching each other in the middle. Then pin 3 of the 4 sides. I don't usually use too many pins; just use as many as you need!

Step 4: You've probably thinking, what about the 4th side? Since we have to insert the pillow into the cover, we can't sew all the way around. First, find the center (for this size, it was at 8.625 inches) and mark it with a pin or light pencil mark. Then, measure 5 or 6 inches out on either side of that mark, and mark those with two pins right next to each other. This is to remind you when to stop sewing!

Step 5: Sew around the cover using your sewing machine! Make sure not to use a basting stitch, it won't hold together well. When you're finished, use the thread snips to cut off the excess thread. If you don't have thread snips, scissors will work too!

Step 6: Snip the corners so that they will be sharper when you turn the cover it right side out. Then, go ahead and turn it right side out! Next, carefully insert the pillow form into the cover.

Step 7: The last step is to hand-stitch the open end using thread that matches your fabric. For this fabric, I chose white, so it wouldn't stand out. Tie it off and use the thread snips or scissors to cut off the excess thread. 

And that's it! I did this project for the first time without any sewing experience, so you can too!

Connect with me on social media: Facebook // Pinterest // Website // Blog // Etsy 

Huge thanks to Sophie for a wonderful post! Stay tuned and you'll see me popping over on her blog!

Stay Minty,

-Juli

Double DIY- Hand Warmers & Heating Pack

Double DIY
Hand Warmers & Heating Pack
Hello everyone! Today I have two lovely little DIYs for you! 

I don't know where you all live, but where I live it is cold. 

I walk my dog everyday, and it tends to be coldest whenever I go! We're talking -20 degrees here guys. 
Brr...
So you could probably imagine how cold my hands can get haha. Gloves just don't always do the trick! So I made myself some nice little hand warmers. After I did that I decided I could also make myself a bigger version- heating pack! It's lovely for when it's a bit chilly in your house. Or you're not feeling well, or you have a sore neck, etc. Anything you like really!

Before I get started though, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for the views/comments on my last post. Those made me SO excited, it all means so much to me! 
Now on with the DIYs!! 
First up: 
Hand warmers-

These little guys are super easy but also super helpful! 
And you can just use any fabric/scrap fabric you might have lying around.
Here's what you need:
Fabric, rice (or beans!), a needle and thread OR a sewing machine.

Step one: Cut TWO pieces of 8in x 4in fabric.
I just used this leftover from a skirt my sister made!

Step Two: Place the two pieces with both right sides (more colorful sides) facing upward, almost so they are already one piece of fabric. Then fold them in half(so the dull sides are on top), sewing along like shown above.

Step Three: When you sew, make sure to do a few back stitches on both sides and leave that small gap!

Step Four: Fill it up! I used about 1/3 cup of rice I think. But you just use what you can fit! If you need to you can use a funnel to pour it in, but I just asked someone to hold it open for me.

Step Five: Sew it up! Again, remember to back stitch. I purposely used black string so you all could see what I sewed! And it's simple as that. You're all done. Make a pair and throw them in the microwave for 25-30 seconds and there you go!


And now, the heating pack!
My, this post is going to be long hehe.

This pretty much the same premise as the hand warmers- just bigger! 
What's cool about this, is you can just use an old pair of jeans you have lying around. 

Step One: So first you need to lay your jeans out on a flat surface and smooth them out.

Step Two: Cut it on the seam so when it's unfolded it's about 8.5 x 11in. This is just the size I wanted mine- it can really be what ever size you like though!  

Step Three: fold and sew it with right sides (front/more colorful) together. Make sure you leave the gap and back stitch, then flip it inside out and fill it up with rice! 
Mine actually took almost the whole bag of rice(I used left over from the hand warmers), but my mom got the rice on discount and (it's not very expensive anyway really) for my projects, so she didn't mind my using it all up!

Step Four: This is probably the hardest part. You need to sew up the gap without spilling the beans- er I mean rice;). I removed the front piece of the sewing machine to make more room.
I had to sew over mine about three times before I closed up the gap all the way. Again-make sure you back stitch!
Then you're done! Easy peasy :)
Throw it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes depending on how hot you'd like it to be!

Sooo, I hope this can be helpful to those of you who aren't on the other side of the world in burning up Summers right now! 
I'm hoping to start posting more regularly, as I've got quite a few ideas up in my head, and a few already done! 
Plus I've been given a bit of a decorating job. More on that later though heheh. 
Hope you're all well!

Stay minty,
-Juli