Ticking Pillow Tutorial, Terrific Ticking, or perhaps Twitterpated for Ticking
So what is it that has us all twitterpated for ticking? This fabric originated as a covering for feather mattresses and pillows. But it has seemingly become the look du jour.
Perhaps it brings back precious memories of a simpler time when we were snuggled in the midst of Grandmere’s feather bed.
Its classic crispness has a simple yet lovely look and it’s durability makes it a perfect selection for use as an upholstery fabric.
Ticking is available in a variety of colors. I adore the soft pinks and green found in vintage ticking. They are rare and therefore a bit more costly than their common counterparts of red, black and navy.
In my ongoing office makeover, I am currently recovering two wing chairs and felt they needed a small kidney pillow to finish them off. The forms I found at the decorating stores were too fluffy. At IKEA I found the ANJA pillow. While others might say this 12” x 18” pillow is a bit wimpy, it made for a terrific insert and was perfectly priced at around $2.00.
I tore a long strip of ticking measuring 14” x 20” which provided me with a 1” seam allowance. I also dug through my bag of scraps and came up with some random sizes of ticking and cream colored canvas.
Tearing The Fabric
You did read the above section correctly in that I tore, rather than cut, my fabric out. I actually do this quite often. It’s quicker and assures that you have a straight section of fabric and results in a fringed edge.
For easy ruffles, tore strips that measured 3” x 50” and set my machine for a wide basting stitch that can be hand gathered quite easily.
Not knowing exactly the look I wanted, I made a few fabric covered buttons to play around with. They are very easy to do. I also like flowers as an embellishment.
You can find a fantastic tutorial for the fabric flower broach at Wisecraft. As for my remaining fabric scraps they shall be sewn into lovely lavender sachets.
In the end I opted for a covered button resting on a small doily to create a flower of sorts and a simple ruffled design.
Do you like ticking?
Laura
Lovely! I am impressed!!!
Oh my goodness, Rudi is adorable. Ha. I love the drawing as well!
Very cute! I've always loved ticking. I had two chairs slicovered in pink ticking years ago, and it wore so well. Thank you for all of this info, Laura! And I hope you know I'm in love with Rudi. He's such a handsome boy! You may not be aware of this, but dogs are shiny objects, too! Better keep a close watch on him, and if he turns up missing, you know in which magpie nest you can find him. 😉
XO,
Sheila 🙂
Laura, I love the new fresh and clean blog look! I have always loved ticking too…it somehow makes me feel, well, younger! :)I used navy ticking in my youngest sons room and love it! Fifi is impressive!
Michelle
Laura I just LOVE your posts! I love the look of ticking and it's so durable. The picture of Rudi is adorable! JenT
Great photos and tutorial!!!Thank you. Rudi is adorable:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
That picture is precious!! I have voted for you a lot. Hope you win!!! The bag that Rudi is in is just like the bag I got when I won your giveaway. I love mine!! Love & blessings from NC!
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww! You are soooooooooooooo talented Laura!! You amaze me daily!! I loveeeeeeeeeeee that painting she made too!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
I may have to copy your pillows. I bought some green ticking for shades in my living room, and I have so much leftover!
Love the ticking pillows…you are so talented!
The picture of Rudi is so cute, I do love the drawing and will certaily visit her site. Thanks for sharing!
Rondell
How precious is Rudi? I love Fifi's painting of him! Great idea to do sachets from the left overs.
Aaaaah, Laura my sweets, I looooove ticking also. It's getting harder to find though. Beautiful ways in which to use it also, honey.
xoxo,
Connie
Love the pic of Rudy…he is precious!
I adore tickking and your tutorial was wonderful…now if I could improve my sewing skills…
Enjoy!
Cathy
I love the ticking fabric. It reminds me of a farmhouse! Rudi looks quite handsome in his ensemble!!!! Cool drawing!
I do love ticking – what a fun pillow!
Very nice! I love ticking and always have. Great pinting by Fifi! I love her work!
Love that red ticking and toile bed. Is that a monogram I see? 😉 OK< I voted for you to get the Oprah show, even though I am not an Oprah fan. Lisa~
Ooh I love all of them; the little ruffled one is cute but I guess it depends on the rest of the room and on Mr. Decor's preference. I am impressed with your sewing skills! Off to vote, have an excellent journee….
Very very nice! Thanks for the lesson on ticking! I have always loved it's country down home feel. Have a great weekend! Kit
Hello my lovely friend! 🙂
I am LOVIN' your ticking pillows. I'm doing a little ticking project of my own with ticking wallpaper. 🙂 (in red!) I adore your little ruffles….and of course I'm always a sucker for covered buttons…and those big ones are a delight! LOL Looks like you're having a great time decorating away! I'm supposed to be painting right now, but you see where I am….checking out your post. I wonder if procrastination is a virtue like patience? 🙂 ….seriously doubt it…oh well!
Love you much my friend, hope to chat soon.
Missy (I've decided to just go by that since that's what everyone calls me in “real life”…I tried to be grown up with Melissa, but it just wasn't working for me cause I refuse to grow up! lol)
I adore ticking!! I'm working on a black ticking shower curtain right now. Ticking has such a homey feel, doesn't it? Loove it!
if i could only get my cat to stay still and wear a beret, we'd be in business! that artwork is precious, what a great thing to have. i can't believe he really stayed still, and with his paw on the table like that!
thank you so much for stopping by the cape on the corner, and for your comment about the little birdy print!
Most helpful tutorial video's! Lovely post, Laura!
That painting is adorable!
Many years ago my mother in law made us feather pillows with ticking. Of course, they bit the dust a long time ago. Oh, Laura, I've voted for you many times. I soooo hope you get on.
Hi Laura, I really like your ruffled ticking idea. And, of course, your Rudi is adorable! Bonjour 😉 Visiting from Show and Tell~
Hi Laura-
I love the illustration of Rudi – how special for you and him… I think he is going to be famous. So elegant, so cute and oh so French.
Diane
I love the ticking. Your is wonderful! Great ideas.
Sherry
Cute! Good luck with the Oprah thing! That sounds great. I stalked her when she came to town here. Worked out well for me since I found her and got to talk to her! haha
Oh my, what do I like more? The pillow? I actually have one of those IKEA ones in my car, great for lumbar support! Or, the drawing of Rudi? Since I'm nuts for the four-legged ones, I pick the drawing – love it and I have voted steadily and hope you have success Laura. Best to everyone…
Laura.. I have been on a 'pillow ticking fabric' search for quite some time now, and the area I live in is hopeless.. one fabric store, JoAnn's!
I'll have to drive a good distance to find others.. want to make some pillows for my living room..it's out there, I just have to find it.
I have also searched the 'thrift stores and yard sales'..oh well!
Love your ideas for this fabric!
Sandy
thewondersofdoing@blogspot.com
Thanks for commenting on my chair. It is encouraging being a newby to blogging. I absolutely love all the images on this post. I used red ticking to make pillows for my couch. I can't wait to see what your office grain sack chairs will look like.
Hello Laura, I luv the pic with the red and white bed linen. Thanks for stopping by a bit. Have a great weekend. Julian
HOW did you get Rudi to sit still for that??? Last year I searched high and low for blue ticking. Found every color but blue…I guess I was ahead of the trend 🙂 How are the audition votes coming along? I vote at least once a day!
Laura, I adore pilow ticking! It is just so american and homespun. Now that has been elevated to a chic and updated look. Your little dog is such a jaunty fellow! Adorable in his scarf and chapeau!
Very clever use of scraps! Kudos to you!
It was so nice to find you this evening, I so enjoyed my visit.
Yvonne
Love this post….had to reread it…adorable picture…
Laura, I just saw that I was not a follower- how did I miss that? Well, I took care of that!!! Now over to Oprah! Blessings!
Yvonne
laura, thank-you for stopping by today @ cottageromance.blogspot.com, i appreciate you taking the time to do so! your blog is divine and so is the ticking!
Sweet post full of charming inspiration, ticking has always hit the relaxed country mood for me. Followed your link for the creative bloggers party and really enjoyed visiting your space.
Laura, Your pillows with the ticking are so adorable! Thanks for sharing about your other restorations. Always love to hear how things can be turned into treasures. Inspiring! Your audition is GREAT! Good luck!
Angie
Annabel Lee's Flea Market Style
You have some lovely ideas, Laura! This post is loaded with ticking eye candy!
Donna
I also love ticking…especially the blue and white. Just add some ruffles and I am in heaven. Rudi is adorable and the painting of him is so cute!
xo, Sherry
I certainly have voted for you, Laura. I love the art of your pooch … he is adorable & so charming.
Have a lovely summer's eve ~
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon
Love the pillows but my favorite ticking project by far is that cute as a button Rudi in his ticking scarf! Love the chairs in the post below too and can't wait to see how they turn out. Congrats on being featured at Jenny's blog, awesome!!!
Laura,
Dang girl…those pillows are soooo CUTE!
Blessings,
Linda
I like the last pillow idea best!
And I tear fabric a lot too. best way to get the grain straight!
Ticking just says cozy and homey, doesn't it? Love it, and your pillows are awesome!