Inner Pillow Form

When planning your pillows, consider the inner construction. Special forms can be purchased or made. If you wish to buy a form, you should do so before you make the covering so it will be the correct size. Forms of solid foam rubber, synthetic foam or ticking filled with down or kapok are easy to use. It is also possible to buy foam by the yard which you can shape as you wish.

If you decide to make your own form, cut fabric in the desired size and shape. Muslin can be used for the inner pillow covering but ticking or a downproof fabric must be used if the pillow is to be stuffed with feathers. Use a ^l/₂-inch plain seam to sew pieces together and leave a 3-inch opening in one seam. Stuff to desired fullness with synthetic stuffing, kapok, nylon stockings, clippings or down. Turn in raw edges of opening and sew together with close overhand stitches. If down from an old pillow is used, open one corner of the covering and pour water on the feathers. The damp feathers can be transferred to the new covering without filling the room with down. Be sure that the opening is securely stitched shut and then place the new pillow in the automatic dryer to fluff-dry the feathers. Remove the pillow as soon as it is dry. Do not let the dryer run a full cycle.

Pillows without Boxing

Pillows can be made with or without an insertion of cording or trimming between pieces. If cording is to be used, this should be made before pieces are put together. Also, if applied decoration is being used, such as smocking, quilting, or appliqué, it should be done before construction begins.

Measure pillow from seam to seam. The cover should be snug but not tight. Add ^l/₂-inch seam allowance to each edge. Join the two pieces with a plain seam. If cording or trimming is to be used as an edge finish, stitch it to one section before making the plain seam. Leave an opening wide enough to insert the pillow form. Slip-stitch the edges of the opening together after the pillow has been put in place. Or, if fabric will need to be laundered or dry-cleaned frequently, it is wise to close the opening with a zipper so that the cover can be removed easily (Fig.49).

Fig.49 Fig.50

Pillows with Boxing

Solid foam forms are easiest to use for box pillows. Measure the cushion, length and width, as well as the depth of the boxing and its circumference. Cut two identical pieces for the top and bottom and a strip of fabric for the boxing. To each edge, add ^l/₂ inch seam allowance. Pin-fit the covering fabric over the cushion and stitch as for a seat cushion (Fig.50).

If a soft filling is used, the inner pillow should be packed very tightly.

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1. How may seams be trimmed?

2. What can be used to give a decorative touch to the pillow top?

3. What inner pillow forms are easy to use?

4. What must be used if the pillow is to be stuffed with feathers?

5. What should you measure for pillows with boxing?

Exercise 2. Find the English equivalents of such words from the text:

Мереживо, прикраса, вишивка, внутрішній, піноматеріал, тік (тканина), бути наповненим, подушка (диванна).

Exercise 3. Mark each true statement T and each false one F:

1. Pillows are so difficult to make.

2. Forms of solid foam rubber, synthetic foam or ticking filled with down or kapok are easy to use.

3. Ticking must not be used if the pillow is to be stuffed with feathers.

4. If down from an old pillow is used, open one corner of the covering and transfer feathers to the new covering.

5. It is wise to close the opening with a zipper so that the cover can be removed easily.

6. If a soft filling is used, the inner pillow should be packed very tightly.

Exercise 4. Translate into English:

1. Подушка – це ефективний декоративний інструмент.

2. Якщо ти бажаєш купити внутрішню форму для подушки, тобі слід зробити це до того, як ти виготовиш напірник, щоб він був вірного розміру.

3. Якщо використовується пух зі старої подушки, відкрий один кут напірника і полий пір’я водою.

4. Подушки можуть бути зроблені зі вставками галунів чи прикрас або без них.

5. Наволочка повинна бути щільною, але не тісною.

Text B: Valances

Key Words and Phrases:

Valances – занавіски (збористі), blend – поєднувати, conceal – сховати, hardware – механічна конструкція, shaped – фігурні, firm – міцний, buckram – тонке полотно, stiff – міцно, туго, rod – карниз, figure – надавати.

Valances should blend in style and fabric with the draperies or curtains and with the room decor. They conceal drapery hardware and also help to balance the proportions of a window or to connect several windows treated as one.

The depth of the valance depends upon the height of the window. Generally, the deepest part of the valance should be from one-sixth to one-ninth the length of the curtain. You should experiment to find the best length for your window.

Fig.51