Dreamscape

Borders

To paint the borders, place the three 11" x 91" fabric strips on a hard, flat surface; moisten. Using the large, flat brush and Shimmer Pearl, paint the entire length of each strip in long, loose strokes--don't try to completely cover the surface.

Without cleaning the brush, and beginning along one lengthwise edge, paint Shimmer Brick Red over the pearl color with long brush strokes. Repeat to apply the Shimmer Oriental Red, Shimmer Chocolate and Shimmer Wine in a loose fashion, working from one edge to the other and creating a light-to-dark blend (3). Allow the panels to dry; press from the wrong side.

Assemble the Duvet Cover

With right sides facing and using 1/2" seam allowances, stitch a border strip to each long edge of the center panel, trimming the excess length even with the panel. Stitch the remaining border strip to a remaining side to create the lower end, trimming the excess length even with the side border edges (4).

Cut a 91" square from the backing fabric or queen sheet. With right sides facing, stitch the backing fabric to the assembled top at the sides and lower edges, leaving the upper edge open to insert the duvet. Press the seams open as far as possible into the corners. Turn the cover right side out, and press the edges flat. Turn under the opening edges with a 1/2" doubled hem and topstitch to secure.

Cut eighteen 12" lengths of ribbon. Attach the ribbon in nine pairs to the turned-under edges of the opening (5). Stitch a pair 5" from each side edge, and space the remaining pairs 10" apart. Insert the duvet and tie the ribbons to close.

From the October 2005 issue of Sew News magazine.