experienced sewers help needed please!

Psykicpup

My favorite feather pillow ripped again the other day & I assumed the seam had gone again, but when I went to to sew it up today:money: I found it was the actual fabric!:mad:
Ive managed a temporary repair but I guess the fabric is so old now - it was my nana's pillow ! that I'm going to have to replace the ticking.:eek:

Now I can cope with basic jobs like this but I was wondering if you wonderful lot have any tips for making the perfect feather pillow ....things like french seams? etc (& how to do them - its been far too many years since I tried anything like this

Thank guys :beer: I won't be attempting it until Payday so any advise on fabric (I know its pillow ticking but is there more than one type?), thread, stitches & anything else I may need to buy/learn would be SOOOO helpful.
Not sure I can manage this one without you! -May have to see if I can get the camera to work & post pics if I feel brave...thats NOT a promise lol

Uniscots97

Can you not darn the fabric?

purpleivy

A very closely woven fabric, Use a small stitch.

tanith

Sewing a pillow is one of the easy ones... not sure about the material but what you suggest will be fine... strong linen thread will do the job...

You don't have to be perfect with the stitching as you will be covering it with a 'pretty pillow case'.

Cut your material to size and then machine stitch three sides with the right side outside with a 1/4 inch seam.. turn it inside out and stitch the same three sides again with a little wider turn so that when you then turn it inside out all the edges will be hidden by the new seam.. stuff with the feathers you already have.. I'd just put the end of the old pillow inside the new one and carefully transfer them... then just double stitch the open end... VOILA!!:T

tanith

Just wonder if anyone has a good method for cleaning a feather pillow , I use one I have had for ages but I just air it outside on a nice sunny day , I don't know if they can be washed?

Uniscots97

tanith wrote: »

Just wonder if anyone has a good method for cleaning a feather pillow , I use one I have had for ages but I just air it outside on a nice sunny day , I don't know if they can be washed?

I've washed my OH's puffa (sp?) jacket which is feather and it came out ok. As it dries give it a good shake to puff up the feather again.

tanith

unixgirluk wrote: »

I've washed my OH's puffa (sp?) jacket which is feather and it came out ok. As it dries give it a good shake to puff up the feather again.

Did you wash by hand or in a machine... ? if in a machine did you use fabric softener?

linzibean

I used to wash feather duvets and pillows in the bath at home, with handwash powder, no conditioner, then dry them on the line. They are all still doing well as far as I know, don't know if anyone hand washes them now I've moved out though!

csarina

Make sure when you buy the fabric, its featherproof, in other words that the feathers will not work their way through the tickiing in time. Do an internet search......John Lewis used to sell it........

Charlton_King

Experienced sewers? Rats!

Psykicpup

unixgirluk wrote: »

Can you not darn the fabric?

Thanks Unixgirl Yes I have done but the fabric is so old & getting thin now I know it will just rip again soon