Inspiration...Christmas Pillow

 Christmas is my favorite time of the year.  I love decorating and will start the day after Thanksgiving and end around the epiphany.  This year I found this pillow cover:

This is the Nostalgic Tree Embroidered Pillow Cover from the Pottery Barn.  Price tag: $99.50.  Description: 50% cotton/27% linen/23% rayon, reverses to 100% cotton melange in solid color, zipper closure, accomodates 20-inch insert, spot clean.

I truly love the idea of making this pillow cover.  The embroidery would be a definite slow down for me because I am slow.  Here are generally instructions for creating a pillow cover:

1.  Size - I make mine the same size as the pillow insert so that the dog ears are less likely to show.  Example - this is a 20-inch pillow insert add 1-inch to the that to allow for 1/2-inch seam allowances.

2.  Decide how you want to do the zipper.  I have instructions for a lapped zipper here.  

3.  Generally instruction for how I decided on the sizes for the back are here.  

4.  How to create your piping here.

If you want to see the floor pillows that the created, do a floor pillow search.  I still have those pillow covers and forms.

Now for the embroidery, I think I would just free hand something and start embroidering.  Don't forget to locate little ornaments for the tree.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Applique Pillow

 As much as I love sewing clothing, I also do home dec from time to time.  This pillow is fantastic:

This is the Hollyhocks Embroidered Linen Cushion by Susie Watson Designs.  Price tag: L85.00 ($115-$120.00).  Details:  hand embroidered, linen, finished with pompoms, back is a dimity fabric, and feather pillow included.  Size: 40x54cm (~15 3/4-inches x ~21 1/4-inches).

This is a wonderful pillow.  It is well worth your time to check out the Susie Watson Designs website.  There is a ton of inspiration there.  Who knows maybe you will find something that you need.  

Here is my favorite way to add a zipper to a pillow.  As for the actual size of the pillow, you get to decide.  Just remember to add your seam allowance.  I prefer a 1/2-inch seam allowance for home dec items.  This is really where your creativity can shine.

Happy Stitching!

Storage Baskets and Bowls...

 Today's scrap buster project is storage baskets and bowls.  This is a tutorial for braiding scraps of fabric and creating baskets and bowls.  From experience, this might take a little bit of practice to get the bottom to stay flat but it is fun and addictive.

Hope you are inspired to use up those bits of fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Patchwork Quilt...

 This week's scrap buster is more of idea with a picture:

This is the Peyton Reversible Patchwork Quilt from Pottery Barn.  

This would be a great way to use up excess flannel scraps/yardage whatever you have.  Of course, you would need an idea of how big you want your quilt but it could be baby quilt all the way to king size quilt.  Here is a link to a chart with quilt sizes.

Personally, I think that varying the size of blocks would be more interesting but it is your quilt to do what you want with.  Generally, I use a 1/2" seam with flannel because of fraying but I am sure if you do a little research you can find the answer.  

Happy Stitching!

Ottoman Slipcover...

 The ottoman slipcover is pretty easy.  I still have the original slipcover.  That makes it just a matter of taking the time to measure the various pieces and re-creating them.  Of course, the piping has to be made and that is always not looked forward to because I do not like making bias binding.  Here is the finished result:

I did write down dimensions this time.  I looked up to see when the last time was that I made a cover for the ottoman it was almost exactly 20 years ago.  I do not have a picture but I did find one on pattern review.

Oh, happily, I was looking at the wrong side of the fabric when I was calling it denim here. 

Happy Stitching!

Slipcovers Finished....

 The procrastination has ended with the completion of the slipcover.  Here are the end results:

This is just about as good as it gets.  The fit is mostly good.  I had to do manipulating to get the last sewn piece on but that is kinda how home dec goes sometimes.  Now, my chair is a little more up to date.  The previous slipcover is somewhere around 20 years old. So, it is old for a slip.  I probably will not be making another chair slipcover anytime in the near future but it should be easier the next time.  I have no idea how long the linen will last but I suspect that it won't last 20 years.

Next on the project list is the ottoman.

Happy Stitching!

Another Project Planned...

 I have been slowly working on the slipcover for my chair.  It is definitely a learning experience.  There are two more pieces that need slipcovers made - an ottoman and a loveseat.  The ottoman will be a piece of cake.  I have made a slipcover for it in past and the hardest part with the cording.  All along, I had intended for the ottoman to be different fabric than the chair and loveseat.  I keep thinking that the chair is almost finished and I find something else to be surprised about.   I decided to go ahead and look for fabric for the ottoman and found the fabric guru website.  The prices are excellent and shipping is reasonable.  Here is the fabric that I found:

I thought this fabric would be a perfect color for the blues in my rug.  I will say that I was a little surprised when it showed up.  Instead of the nice dark blue I got this:

This color is more of a denim color.  So, I was a wee bit disappointed.  With that said, the fabric will still work for what I need done.  

With luck, the chair slipcover will be finished soon and I will still have time to make the ottoman slipcover in March.  Although, my health seems to be determined not to allow that to happen.  

If you haven't been to the fabric guru site and you like making home dec projects, go check it out.  The prices are good.  I would advice taking advantage of the swatching services so you do not end up with a surprise like I did.  My husband said he actually liked the fabric better than the one pictured.

Happy Stitching!

Home Dec Pillow Inspiration...

 Do you like to change up you decor from time to time?  This is a great pillow idea for the machine embroidery or hand embroidery.

The is the Gracre Floral Embroidered Lumbar Pillow cover from Pottery Barn.  Price tag: $79.50.  Details:  100% cotton slub front and back, zipper closure, overall size 26-inches wide x 16-inches high, machine washable.  

Recreating the pillow form is fairly easy.  I use a 1/2-inch seam allowance for home dec items.  So, just add an inch to the dimensions.  As for adding a zipper, you can follow instructions here. 

The embroidery is all up to you.  This is where you get to be creative.  If you zoom in to the picture at Pottery Barn, you can see that the picture that the embroidery actually looks like it is hand done.  

Not an embroiderer?  Pottery Barn would be happy to sell you the cover and/or the insert.

Happy Stitching!

Slipcovers Started...

 Last year sometime, I made "patterns" for the cushions on one of the items that I was going to slipcover.  Unable to locate them, I made new.  Here are the "patterns" with notes about each cushion:

 This is the back piece.

This is the seat cushion piece.

Here is the pieces cut:

Back cushion.  I had already sewn the zipper and the sides before taking the picture.

Bottom cushion.  It is ready to sew.

Piping:

I am hoping that the piping that is made will make at least one cushion.  My machine is having issues.  After sewing the items above, it kept telling me that it needed to rest.  I have not seen this message before and it was happening every two or three inches at the end of the evening of sewing.  I haven't sewn much with this machine since the last time I had it serviced.  The answer to the issue was a simple cleaning in the bobbin area.

Here are the pieces sewn:

Whew! The easy part is over.  I made my fair share of mistakes working on this.  I had to recut the cushions front/back because I forgot to add the seam allowances.  Dumb mistake but it happens with this type of work.  The cushion front/backs are being used for piping.  I am going for as little waste as possible.

Now, I need to figure out the main chair slipcover.  There is a lot of pleats that need to be figured out and a lot piping.  Hopefully, the 80 yards of piping that I purchased will be enough to complete the chair and loveseat.

Happy Stitching!

Time To Start Considering Next Projects....

 I posted a very genetic project list on January 1 this year.  Now, I am starting to really think about what I want to do.  Here are a few thoughts:

1.  I purchased linen for slipcovers about three years ago.  This is the year that they are going to be started/done.  Since I am not fast at sewing any more, this will probably take most of the year and I will most likely need to purchase additional fabric because I want to do a chair and a love seat.  Slip covers require a lot of piping which I intend to use scraps to make as much as possible.

2.  I purchased the Style Arc Corina Knit dress pattern last fall during a sell.  I wear dresses/skirts on a daily basis once the weather warms up.  I do not really need to add to my current collection of dresses but I will for this pattern.  This will probably wait till April to start.  As I would be very disappointed, if I gained/lost weight after making a muslin of the dress.  Fabric is already stashed.

3.  Another Itch to Stitch Taroko Skirt (affiliate links).  I love this skirt.  The skirt I made late last summer is a little big in the waist and slips down to my hips.  I love the khaki twill that I used.  With luck, the stash will yield something appropriate.  Again, this will probably be late March or early April project.

I think that is enough for now. I am off to locate the patterns that I made for the first slipcover.  Really, I had started this project a little over a year ago.  Then, fell and fractured my kneecap.  It was months before I could get behind a sewing machine again.

What is your method of planning projects?

Happy Stitching!

Inspirtion...Holiday Pillow

 This inspiration could be a stash buster if you are a person who keeps your small scraps.  

This is the Pottery Barn Dress Patchwork Tree Lumbar Pillow Cover.  Price tag: $ 79.50. Details:  16" x 24", 24" zipper, cotton/linen/viscose blend.

This is such a fun pillow.  It is full of small pieces of fabric with tons of embroidery.  This is so full of creativity.  

How would you make this pillow?  I would use a linen fabric and cut two pieces that are 17" x 25" or 1" larger measures than the size of your pillow form. For the zipper, this would be a good application for an invisible zipper.  Follow these directions for excellent results.  For the applique, purchase some fat quarters in christmas colors or check out the small pieces in your stash, whichever works best for you.  This is where you get creative.  Use specialty stitches on your sewing machine or attach by hand the various strips to create your trees.  This is where you just have fun.  Hope you are inspired to creative something wonderful.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Decorative Pillow

 I love throw pillows.  Here is one that is being shown in the Pottery Barn Holiday collection:

This is the Love Patchwork Lumbar Pillow Cover from Pottery Barn. Price tag: $79.50.  Details:  100% cotton linen, yarn dyed fiber, reverses to 100% cotton in natural, zipper closure, accommodates a 16-inch by 26-inch insert, machine wash.

Folks, this would be so easy to duplicate.  The only thing that you really need to decide on is the color scheme.  The applique could be hand drawn if you desired.  I would need a template.   Hope you are inspired.

Happy Stitching!

Holiday/Winter Throw...

 I just found some really cute holiday/winter fabric:

The is the Cozy Cabin Plaid 100% Cotton Waffle Knit from knitfabrics.com.  It is a 4-way knit and 55-inches wide.   

My first thought when I saw this was that it would be perfect to make a throw.  Two yards should be plenty to make a nice comfortable throw.  I think I will think on this one.  I really wanted to make some new stuff for holiday/winter decorating.

 I am an affiliate of knitfabric.com.  Some of the links above are affiliate links.  I would get a small commission should you decide to purchase through one of my links at no cost to you.

Happy Stitching!

Inspiration...Placemats and Napkins

 I recently became aware of a business selling beautiful textiles.  I am zeroing in on the placemats and napkins.  Here is an example:

This is John Robshaw Vakula Periwinkle Placemat and Napkin. Price tag: placemats $20.00 each, napkins 4 for $60.  Details:  placemat - 14-inches x 19-inches, hand printed, made in India; napkins - 22-inches x 22-inches, hand printed, set of 4, made in India.

This company has a lot of various prints and they are all beautiful. As beautiful as I think this is, I would never pay this amount of money for placemats and napkins.    Even with cotton fabric being $15 or so a yard, you could make them for far less than the $140.00 for 4 placemats and 4 napkins.  

How do you make them you ask?  

Napkins - Decide how many napkins you want to make and what size.  The 22-inch x 22-inch is large and would require one length of fabric for each napkin.  If you were making matching placemats, then the excess could go to one side of the placemat.  Basically, for each napkin it is the size plus 1/2-inch on each side for hems.  Yardage needed will varies by the width of the fabic.

Placemats - Decide how many placemats you want to make and what size. The size given is a good size.  You would cut out two pieces for each placemat.  The size plus 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch seam allowance on each side. You will also want a padding of some sort unless you are using a heavy canvas type fabric.

Happy Stitching!

Easy Sewing...

 Sometimes you just have to make little things because you can not find the item.  I have been trying to control the mess in the kitchen a bit more now that I have a little of free time.  I purchased this item:

This is a little box from Target that I thought would corral the vinegar and oil bottles that tend to sit around my counter.  My idea was that the box would make it a little easy to clean the counter by not having to pick up and move a bunch of bottles.  I think it worked:

I did put a paper towel in the bottom but realized that a better solution would be to make a fabric pad to sit everything on that could be washed from time to time.  I found this little black/white polka dot fabric in the fat quarters at Wal-mart.  This project does not require a quality fabric.  Here is the fabric:

The inside measurements of the box are 13 3/4-inches x 4-inches.  I added 1/2-inch to each measurement for the seam allowance.  Here is the finished product:

Easy peasy.  I wish all sewing was as quick and easy as this.

Happy Stitching!

Friday Update...

 This bi-weekly update does not contain a lot.  I have been reading more than usually.  

I started another room since the last update.  Not done with the bedroom yet.  I still have not decided what I want to do with furniture.  Rearrange or move to another room.  The whole moving furniture to other rooms is getting harder to do.  I also worked on a few floral decorations.

I worked on the Love Notions Allegro Bottoms.  After listening to the lesson in the Love Notions class that I am taking, I decided to stay with a size 14.  The muslin (no pictures) indicated that I needed more space.  I made minor changes to the back and added 1/2-inch to the side seams.  Click the link to hear/see more information.

Overall the last couple of weeks have not been too exciting.   I do not seem to be doing a lot lately.  These posts will move to a monthly update.  Maybe the last Friday of the month.

Happy Stitching!

Decorating Elements...

 I have been working on various little floral elements for around the house.  Here is some of it:

This is currently in the front entry.  It will most likely stay.  The mirror sitting on the floor has not found a new home yet.  

This is a little arrangement that has been put out for many years.  It moves from time to time.  No idea where I got any of the elements.

I have had this little ceramic basket for years.  I put in a few pansy stems.  It is currently in the main bathroom.

I found this little lavender bottle at Michael's online.  It is to add a little something to the kitchen.

This little birdcage cage from Michael's online.  I sat it on a couple of books to raise it up a bit.  The little blue birds were made locally about 35 to 40 years ago.  I do not know if they are still being made or not.  I thought putting the little glass kitty off to the side was funny.  I know that my cats would be sitting watching birds.  I have not decided if this will stay this way.  I really wish that I could find a little nest.

This is another I am not sure that it will stay this way.  For now, I have this birdcage (from Michael's online) sitting on a round wood serving stand from Target.  For now, I have an ivy garland wrapped around with a reddish colored candle.  This almost feels like there should be more.  

That is all the decorating changes this past week.  Here is a picture that I took at our local lake just before sunset:

Happy Stitching!

Started Decorating Another Room...

Yes, I started another room before finished the living room/family room.  It will get there.  I am still contemplating moving furniture around a bit. So that is slowing down that area.

I have moved to the primary suite and changed out the bedding. This was a Target find and suits my purposes.  It is white with 2 shades of gray florals.

My "white" furniture turned very cream with this comforter. 

I have not decided yet what other changes happening here.  This room contains the piece of furniture that I am thinking about moving to the living room/family room.  If I do move it, it will most likely mean that several other pieces of furniture will get moved around.  There is rattan chair that I purchased long ago that I would love to have in the living room/family room.  Unfortunately, the cats think is a scratching post and I would hate to be yelling at them all the time regarding something that comes natural to them.  Believe me, they get yelled at enough without adding to the situation.

I also managed to clear off and re-arrange the top of the dresser.  Somehow the top of my dresser is the dumping zone in my bedroom.  I will also be cleaning the drawers so I am positive that there are things stuffed in there that are not being used.  

I am sure that I will find other objects to fill on the top.  The geraniums have been around for  years and have always been in the front entry.  They bring a little bit of red into the room.

Off to figure out what else can be accomplished while I make decisions about furniture.

Happy Stitching! 

Still Decorating...

 Last week's post on the redecorating was just the beginning.  We ended up purchasing a new picture to put above the fireplace:

The print is 30-inches x 30-inches.  Still considering the little floral plaques that I made.  At this point, haven't decided about what will end up on the mantel.  Still thinking it through.  We're going a little French Country in the decorating style.  I do not want to repaint so I will be decorating around the colors that I have.  

I will continue updating as I figure things out.  Sometimes, it is just a matter of giving stuff new homes.  There will definitely be a lot of floral going on.  

Happy Stitching!

Not Sewing But Decorating...

 It has been about four years since I have done any major changing things up.  Oh, I done a bit of changing décor out but nothing major.  I have tried a little bit but not a lot of effort.  Last year I made a swaggy thing for the window in the family room/living room.  It is kinda plain but looks interesting with various garlands drapped over it.  I had a red berry garland hanging over it most of the winter.  Sorry, no pictures.  I was the director of most things this winter because of the fractured knee cap.  

I went shopping for flower picks and garlands for a spring/summer swag decoration.  I do not have a lot of choice here.  It is mostly Walmart and JoAnn Fabrics.  I found some lambs ear garland and some pink flowers.  Here is the results:

Sorry for the dark picture but it is about as good as I can get facing a window.  It certainly is not perfect but will do for now.  Then, I decided to clear off the fireplace area.  Here is the blank canvas:

I got everything dusted really well.  It is hard to decide what to do with this.  Here is how I started:

The florals that are in the middle on the mantel will go up on the wall.  This may or may not be staying long term.  At the very least, it will be there through summer.  This is just decorative plaques with wall paper behind.   Notice that I have a red/pink theme kinda going.   The clock will definitely stay on the mantel.  I do not know about the candle lantern.  I think it needs a pink candle in it.  The crystal candle holder I stuck a taper candle in it and I am not sure about that at all. 

Next, I cleared off the table under the TV.  Not sure what I am going to do with it at this point.  I do like that there is very little on it.  I am betting that will last one whole day.  Not sure about the ladder.  It is a very rustic piece.  I use to keep it leaned up against a wall but my cats were constantly knocking it down.  

I did hang one of the floral prints that had been above the fireplace above the antique radio.  I attempted to put the other print on the opposite side of this arch but there is not enough room.  

Honestly, this is the hardest room to decorate that I have ever had.  Rectangles are easy.  This room has three arches, two doorways, one 6-ft x 6-ft window, a fireplace, and two angles walls.  

I will post more pictures as I do further updating.  I do have furniture that can be moved around a bit along with other accessories.  The linen slipcovers will also change the look of everything in the room. I suppose I need to check and see what is in the attic storage.

Happy Stitching!