For this project, you will need 3/8 yards of woven fabric, 1-1/2 yards of 3-inch wide silk ribbon, 1-1/2 yards of 1-inch wide silk ribbon, 5-inch silk rope /8 yards, Poly-Fil, sewing essentials (scissors, pins or fasteners, thread, sewing machine), and Fray Check (not shown).
Cut two 11” squares of fabric. These will be the pillows for your front and back patterns. Cut two 24" pieces of 3-inch tape and two 24" pieces of 1-inch tape.
Lay one of the 1-inch ribbons directly over one of the 3-inch pieces of ribbon. Match the side edge. Lay the ribbon on top of a pillow pattern piece, in the center of the pillow along the side edge. Pin in place then sew along the side edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Repeat for other ribbon pieces on the other side of the pillow.
Lay one pattern piece on top of the other pattern piece, right sides together. Pin around all the side edges. Make sure the tape is secure in the middle. Sew around the sides, leaving a 4-inch opening to turn to the right side.
Rotate the pillow clockwise through the 4-inch opening. Iron it.
Fill the pillow with Poly-Fil. You want the pillow to be nice and soft, not too full or too stiff.
When you are satisfied with the amount of padding, close the opening; Make sure all the raw edges are tucked inside. Whipstitch to secure.
Pin the center of the string to the center of the pillow. Use a needle and thread to secure the center of the string to the top of the pillow.
Start making the ribbon bow. Fold the two edges of the ribbon so that the ends are facing the other way along the top of the pillow.
Start wrapping one ribbon around the other.
Create a loop with the tape and return it to its place of origin. Pull gently.
Keep the loop in the center secure, and gently lift one side of the ribbon to create a loop with it. Pin down to secure.
Repeat for the other side of the tape.
Use a needle and thread to sew a couple of stitches into the ribbon loops to secure them in place with each other.
Cut a 4" piece of ribbon 1 inch wide and wrap it around the center of the bow. The entire center of the bow should be held tight on this wrapping center of ribbon. When you get to the end of the center of the ribbon, fold the edge 1" arch blank 1/4" to the inside and fasten. Whipstitch to secure.
Once again, using a needle and thread, press down the center of your bow and sew directly over the center of the pillow along the back.
Pull the needle and thread through to the other side of the center of the pillow to create a more quilted look. Do this a few times back and forth, and tie off the needle and thread to finish.
Use a pair of good sharp scissors and cut the ends of the ribbon. Fray Check the ends of the tape to prevent unraveling.
And you're done! Now you have a wonderful handmade wedding favor to cherish.
