Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com

A bedroom isn’t complete without a profusion of pillows. My first project (page 75), Serenity Sham, is so easy to make! My second project is a Pieced Shower Curtain on page 86. Brighten your morning with this pieced shower curtain topped with colorful grommets. Check it out!

Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com

Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com

Let’s start with the pillow forms (or inserts). This is what gives shape and form to a pillow. First, I never rely on the measurements printed on the bag the form comes in—they many times are wrong. I always measure both the length and width of the pillow to determine the cutting dimensions for my pillow cover (regardless of the shape of the pillow). To both the length and width measurements, I add 1 inch for the seam allowances. For example, if my pillow form measures 16 inches square, I cut my fabric 17 inches square.

To address your concern that your pillows never look square (I always refer to the curved lines as “smiles” and the resulting floppy corners as “ears.” In fact, this is a problem that all sewists experience at one time on another that there is even a template made specifically for this.

1. Place the pillow front and back (including the fleece type batting and muslin) with right sides together. Line up the see-through template with the cut edges of the fabric.
2. With a water erasable fabric marker, trace along the template’s curved corner edges. Also mark the new corner pivot point provided on the template.
3. Repeat this process at the remaining corners.
4. Cut the fabric on these marked lines through all layers (the centers of each side remain unchanged). Stitch around the pillow following the newly cut edges.

Now turn the pillow cover right side out. The cover will look odd, but once the pillow form is inserted, the pillow will appear square.

You will be smiling, and your pillow will be perfect!

Who is Home Dec Beck? Click here.

Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com

I've made my list and checked it twice. My gift of the year is here!

Spoiler alert: If you are on my gift list, don’t read any more! I’m trying to keep it a surprise.

It’s only a few days before Christmas and I am finished making my gifts. No all nighters. No “IOUs.” I can’t believe it.

I always choose a project for the gift of the year. Last year was mini wallets and key fobs. This year it is oven mitts. I loved selecting the fabric for the receiver. I chose horse fabric for my friend, Edna. Cat fabric for my pet sitter, Jo and my friend, Lonnie (even though she doesn’t cook). A music motif for my nephew, and a guitar fabric for Davey and family. I also made a few generic versions for hostess gifts. The oven mitt is just a little something-something to say “Cheers!”

The pattern I used is actually part of a new pattern I designed. It is going to be on the website the first of the year. I am offering it as a preview for my downloadable patterns that will be available soon thereafter. Many of you have never tried a downloadable pattern, so here’s the chance to see what they are all about. I love the idea since I am an instant gratification kinda girl. I see it. I want it. Now I can have it immediately.

Well, off to wrapping! Ya gotta love it.

• Cut one layer at a time. More than one layer can slip, and the result will be pieces of different sizes.
• Do not allow the fabric to hang off the edge of the work surface. It may all flow off the surface like running water! Have a chair in place to catch the spillover.
• You will probably have to adjust your thread tension when working with sheer fabrics.
• Use a throat plate with a smaller needle hole to eliminate puckering or stitched stitches.

Donna Babylon is a DIY decorating and sewing guru. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com

Cut a piece of cardboard to the length of the tassel. Wrap embroidery floss around the cardboard to achieve the desired thickness. To make the tassel head, gather the floss at one edge of the cardboard and tie it together with matching floss. Remove the cardboard and tie another piece of floss 1/2 inch to 1 inch below the knotted end. Cut the floss loops to create the tassel tails. Tip excerpted from Donna Babylon’s book, More Splash Than Cash Window Treatments

Donna Babylon is a nationally known home decorating expert. Her latest book, Decorating Sewlutions: Learn To Sew As You Decorate Your Home can be found at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com

• Set up a permanent work area for the duration of your project. You’ll lose time and momentum if you have to break down your work area after you finish each day.
• Work on as large a surface as possible. If you’re using a dining room table, extend the table to its maximum size. If all else fails, move away all the furniture and use the floor.
• Make sure you have a good light source in your work area.
• Keep all of your tools orderly and within reach.
• When sewing large volumes of fabric, keep the weight of the fabric from pulling on the needle by positioning a chair in front of and behind the sewing machine to “catch” the fabric as you sew.
• Wind three bobbins before you start a large project; you will always have a spare at your fingertips.
• Start each project with a new needle; needles become dull through use.
• Press by lifting the iron up and down. “Sweeping” the iron back and forth stretches the bias edges and seams.
• Always work with clean hands during the construction process. Avoid eating and drinking in your work area because spills and stains can be the downfall of any sewing project.

Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book, Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home is now available at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.