Hey everyone, I thought I would share with you some of the pillows I have created over the years. I have been sewing since I was 12, got my first sewing machine when I was 13 and I haven't stopped since. It is the kind of skill that comes in really handy. If you can sew a straight line, do you know how much money you can save yourself?? You can make pillows and basic drapes. It really isn't rocket science-that's what I tell everyone! So without further ado here is some of my pillows:
This Pillow was created with many different fabrics and add ons. I am a firm believer in reusing, so parts of the pillow are a white shirt that had a hole in it (white waffle fabric). The fabrics used are a seersucker plaid fabric, a waffle weave fabric from a shirt, some linen and a vintage embroidered tablecloth bought at a garage sale. I so wish I had more of that plaid fabric, it has such great colours in it-so fresh and fun. I also embellished with some little green buttons that I got from a friend. She gave me 3 large Ziploc bags full of buttons many years ago. They used to belong to an Aunt and she thought I may be able to do something with them- well she was right, could I? I also applied some Rickrack. I LOVE me some Rickrack. In fact I think I am slightly obsessed about it. I love all kinds- white, colourful, chenille-you name it I love it!!
Here is a closeup of the pillow and the embroidered fabric. The embroidery came from a vintage tablecloth. Now don't get too excited- Normally I wouldn't chop up such a beauty but there were quite a few rust marks that I would not be able to remove. But I saw the beauty that she was and knew I would be able to do something with her! So off I went and began cutting her up.
This of course is the back view. Quite often I like to make pillows with an "envelope" opening. This allows me to be creative even with the back. I used Vintage buttons and added additional Rickrack. It is such a little thing that adds so much!
A closeup of the back. Rickrack is very easy to apply. You just have to take your time and sew right down the center of it. Just takes a little practice is all!
This little pillow was made with fabric I bought at Fabricland. The back is chartruesey linen (is that a word I just made up?) . Lip Cord has been added to the edge. It has a very simple envelope back-nothing special. I wanted the front fabric to be the star. I just wanted to make something simple with a special fabric. When sewing Lip cord in the seam of the edge, the key to getting great corners is to pull all the lip cord towards you in the corner, insert your needle at the corner, then pivot. ALWAYS pivot! NEVER sew around the corner. You will not get a nice sharp corner if you do.
This little guy- well not so little at 22" square, was a lesson for me in precision. I bought this stripe fabric with the idea that I was going to do this. The key is to buy a great striped fabric, cut 4 triangles and then sew them together like so: Sew 2 triangles together, sew the other 2 together then sew the 2 bigger triangles you have made together to make a square. The key is to make sure that all of your stripes are lining up. Thank goodness it turned out. I HATE ripping seams out to redo them- but I do since I like well sewn seams! Anyways, I have always wanted to try this with striped fabric. I think it worked out really well. The key is to take your time and check that the stripes are lined up- you have to do it often. It is worth it if you take your time. The other key is to use many, many pins, if you are at all unsure of your accuracy-this will really help. You could always baste it 1st to help with your accuracy as well. Basting is temporary stitching that will be taken out after you have stitched the seams together securely.
This little lovely is one of my favourites that I have ever created. I think it has to do with the sunny, fun, happy colours that are in it. In this pillow, I used the same embroidered tablecloth I mentioned before, some white linen I had from so long ago, a yellow pillowcase fabric for the back, Rickrack and Vintage buttons.
The Checkered fabric is one of my all time favourite fabrics. It just makes my heart sing to look at it! I especially like the embroidery on this pillow. The tablecloth had 2 different but similar embroideries on it. I also had the idea of adding the Rickrack to the edging in the seam. Adding Rickrack here is slightly more challenging that just adding a piping edging. You have to constantly be checking in your seam as you sew to make sure that you are sewing down the center of the Rickrack. It takes a little time but I think it is sooooo worth it. Again, use many pins and check that seam often!
The last pillow I am sharing with you today is this Fuchsia beauty. That's 3 pinkish pillows on this posting. Think I may have to use them in my office- that means I'll have to repaint- but hey I see a theme brewing..........
Anyways, I picked up the Fuchsia fabric the same time as I picked up the striped fabric I used for my 'challenge". I believe that both were a Liz Claiborne fabric. If I could get a hold of more of this fuchsia fabric I would love to make drapes with it. It has delicate little flowers embroidered on the fabric with white and green- it is so lovely! Again, I used Rickrack in the seam as an edging. I also made covered buttons with the embroidered part of the fabric. That is another thing that I am mildly obsessed with- Covered Buttons!! I just love them. I especially love them when velvet is involved. Velvet covered buttons are so.... I can't fully describe it. It's a small luxury, a little jewel-just love them. I also used a satin type fabric in a chartreuse colour for the backing. I really like the combo of Fuchsia and Chartreuse- very juicy!!
Well that's just a few of the pillows I wanted to share with you today. Hope this gave a little inspiration or an idea or two. Hope you enjoyed!
Have a great day everyone.
Megan
This little pillow was made with fabric I bought at Fabricland. The back is chartruesey linen (is that a word I just made up?) . Lip Cord has been added to the edge. It has a very simple envelope back-nothing special. I wanted the front fabric to be the star. I just wanted to make something simple with a special fabric. When sewing Lip cord in the seam of the edge, the key to getting great corners is to pull all the lip cord towards you in the corner, insert your needle at the corner, then pivot. ALWAYS pivot! NEVER sew around the corner. You will not get a nice sharp corner if you do.
The Checkered fabric is one of my all time favourite fabrics. It just makes my heart sing to look at it! I especially like the embroidery on this pillow. The tablecloth had 2 different but similar embroideries on it. I also had the idea of adding the Rickrack to the edging in the seam. Adding Rickrack here is slightly more challenging that just adding a piping edging. You have to constantly be checking in your seam as you sew to make sure that you are sewing down the center of the Rickrack. It takes a little time but I think it is sooooo worth it. Again, use many pins and check that seam often!
The last pillow I am sharing with you today is this Fuchsia beauty. That's 3 pinkish pillows on this posting. Think I may have to use them in my office- that means I'll have to repaint- but hey I see a theme brewing..........
Anyways, I picked up the Fuchsia fabric the same time as I picked up the striped fabric I used for my 'challenge". I believe that both were a Liz Claiborne fabric. If I could get a hold of more of this fuchsia fabric I would love to make drapes with it. It has delicate little flowers embroidered on the fabric with white and green- it is so lovely! Again, I used Rickrack in the seam as an edging. I also made covered buttons with the embroidered part of the fabric. That is another thing that I am mildly obsessed with- Covered Buttons!! I just love them. I especially love them when velvet is involved. Velvet covered buttons are so.... I can't fully describe it. It's a small luxury, a little jewel-just love them. I also used a satin type fabric in a chartreuse colour for the backing. I really like the combo of Fuchsia and Chartreuse- very juicy!!
Well that's just a few of the pillows I wanted to share with you today. Hope this gave a little inspiration or an idea or two. Hope you enjoyed!
Have a great day everyone.
Megan
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