We love a throw: to add a little color to our living room, to keep us warm on the still chilly evenings when our heat is enthusiastic but ineffective, to cozy up under when we're watching our Netflix. A good one is hard to find in the right color and at the right price. If you can sew a straight line, by hand or with a machine, why not consider making your own? It's a straightforward project that, with a little practice, also makes a great gift. Basic how-tos after the jump...
DIY: Make A Simple Throw
Take two pieces of fabric, good sides facing each other, batting on top. Stitch completely around three sides and partially around the fourth. Leave enough room -- about four to five inches -- through which to pull everything inside out. Finish the remaining few inches by hand or by machine. Then topstitch all around to make a clean and neat edge. Try a woolly fabric exterior and a silky interior; ultrasuede backed by teddy bear chenille; or, cool cotton with thick terrycloth. Jazz it up with pompom trim or rickrack or leave it plain, then grab the remote and settle in.
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That picture is a little misleading, to say the least. You picture a true throw---with terrific fringe. I'm an accomplished seamstress and continued reading just to find our how that fringe was created. Then, the instructions describe making a duvet cover. Great project. But, again, not what is pictured.
view LauraE's profile
Batting is a separate thing, isn't it? Don't hand stitch with batting, as it will pull all over. And you really do need to have both sides have nearly equal weight, or else they'll pull askew (heavy cotton with light cotton isn't that easy to keep straight).
And I agree about that hand-rolled fringe-- I'm sure not doing that at night after a glass of wine.
view Palmetto's profile
I completely agree with the above comments. Handmade throws never look great. I'm cringing thinking of a patterned fleece blanket with little yarn ties.
The photo was completely misleading. And throws aren't that expensive if you're into bargain hunting at discount stores.
But I've bought enough throws to figure out that you usually get what you pay for.
view st@cy's profile
I also wanted to know how the fringe was done. Heck, I was wondering how I'd be able to create the throws in the pictures with my simple sewing machine. It's a great picture, but a bit of a let down.
view squidlette's profile
Ditto LauraE.
view shinypenny's profile
Yes, that picture was misleading.
view a.meyer's profile
Can someone just give me those pashminas? I'll happily wear them or toss them over the back of my couch, whatever...you know, color looks good either on me or on my furniture. When it comes to DIY projects, it's either BIG projects (I'm going to make a pair of pants with gorgeous tweed bought on ebay!), or it's a refurbishment project (let's buff up that cute patio table I bought on craigslist).
I'm convinced that good design and good home decorating is sometimes about knowing when to make it yourself (and it can be done!), and when to cough up the dough and just buy what you want.
view artnerd's profile