If you compare two knife-edge throw pillows — one with welted (a.k.a. corded) trim and one without — you’ll most likely think the welted version looks more finished, polished, professional, maybe even more expensive. This extra touch definitely conveys a look of quality and design oomph. But must it always be used to elevate the humble knife-edge?
Actually, in some circles the opinion is that welting looks formal and dated. It can add to the cost of a pillow without necessarily adding much else in the way of style. And from a sewist’s point of view, the addition of welting can be a pain (and added labor cost). So how about some other options! Here are a few of my favorites:
Skip the welting and create some attention-getting piecing in the center. Welting is great if you have a ho-hum fabric or you want to use a contrasting solid to go with a multi-colored print. But the clever use of piecing and ribbon trim creates a pillow cover which needs no further embellishment. Case in point, the lovely linen pillow shown above. The lumbar pillow features plain slubbey linen ends, with a bold graphic print pieced in the center. The seam is trimmed with ribbon and little mother of pearl buttons. In this instance, piping would be overkill. Although I just love that powerful graphic print of the partridge, what elevates this pillow to “designer status” is the simple ribbon strip with the buttons. Such a simple extra touch, with so much impact!
Flanges. I’m not a flange fan when it comes to large throw pillows (e.g., over 18×18″). But I think they create a crisp, tailored look on pillows such as lumbar shapes or squares of cute, eye-catching fabric. They can be made using the primary pillow fabric, or crafted from a contrasting material. For extra pizzazz, make the flange twice the dimensions of the pillow, run a basting stitch along the raw edge, and gather. Voila … you’ve got a ruffle. Instead of gathering, structured pleats can control the fullness and create a nice edging effect with very little effort.
Prairie Points. Anyone with a quilting background knows about prairie points. When made with sweet retro or vintage fabrics they give a pillow a definite touch of charm. But PP borders can also be as crisp as a shark bite when a pillow is made from linen or wool, or raw silk. Just the right touch for contemporary settings.
The basic prairie point is made from a square of fabric folded into a triangular shape. A series of triangles is then lined up, slightly overlapping each other, and basted close to the raw edge. After that, the strip is inserted the same way you’d insert a ruffled or a flanged trim.
The type of effect you’re looking for is achieved by choosing random fabrics (for a fun, eclectic look), two alternating, contrasty fabrics for a dramatic effect, or a slightly different shade of the same color for a subtle, contemporary effect.
Rose Petal Edge – Primarily used as an edging treatment for ready to wear (e.g., children’s clothing, or elegant evening garb), a rose petal edge also can add dimension and contrast to the border of a basic pillow. The rose petal edge begins with a bias strip folded horizontally and then gathered. Unlike a ruffle which is on the flouncy side, the rose petal edge is short, usually no more than a a half to three-quarters inch high. You want just a hint of it peeking up above the edge of the pillow.
Once it is stitched down and flipped to the outside, you use a needle and matching thread to pierce through the ruffles every half inch or so, tighten the thread, repeat the stitching a few more times in the same spot, and then knot the fabric. By moving along the edge and using varying amounts of fabric within the stitching, you create a petal-like effect.
Although it is described in this tutorial link from the Colette blog as “a really feminine little detail,” I think a dark charcoal or deep slate gray wool flannel pillow would look incredible with a trim made from ice blue or lime georgette or chiffon. A totally unexpected pairing like this would surely look right at home in any living room.