- 1). Cut the end round pieces for the bolster to the size of the form, adding 1 inch to the diameter of the circle to allow for 1/2=inch seam allowances.
- 2). Calculate the length of the fabric required for the bolster body by multiplying the diameter of the end of the bolster, not including seam allowances, by 3.14 and adding 1 inch for seam allowances. For example, if the diameter of the end of the bolster is to be 8 inches, the bolster piece must be (8 times 3.14 equals 25 1/4 inches, plus 1 inch for seam allowances) 26 1/4 inches.
- 3). Cut the bolster body fabric width equal to the width of the bolster filler plus 1 inch for seam allowances and the length equal to the measurement required to go around the end piece, including seam allowances. In your example, this is 26 1/4 inches.
- 4). Mark the 26 1/4 inch edges of the bolster body, on the wrong side of the fabric, with an “E” to indicate the placement of that edge to the end round. Indicate alignment marks on this edge, on the wrong side of the fabric, of 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 of the length, starting the marks 1/2 inch from the end. These marks will be used to align the round end of the bolster to the body section prior to sewing. Mark both ends of the bolster body fabric.
- 5). Align the width edges of the bolster body and sew together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving the center 6 inches unsewn to allow for turning the bolster when done.
- 6). Fold the end rounds in half length-wise and then in half width-wise to create a quarter circle shape. Press the edges of the round at the fold lines. Place an alignment mark on the outside edge at each of these fold lines on the wrong side of the fabric. These are the alignment marks that will line up to those on the “E” edge of the bolster body.
- 7). Place right sides of the one “E” edge of the body piece and one end round together, using the alignment marks to correctly position the pieces. Pin every 1/2 inch around the perimeter of the end round. Sew 1/2 inch from the outside edge of the round. Sew with the body portion on the underside, against the machine bed, the wrong side of the round facing up.
- 8). Clip the seam allowance, every inch, from the raw edge in toward the seam 1/3 inch.
- 9). Turn the bolster right side out. Insert the form and hand sew the opening closed.
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