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!

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!

Seat Belt Pillow...

A month or so ago, my Dad had a pacemaker put in.  He was recently released to start driving and such and found that the seat belt was uncomfortable.  I'm not comfortable with him driving with the seat belt under his arm.  So, I went on a search for a pillow to make wearing the seat belt a little more comfortable for him.  Since I sew, I wanted to make this for him.  I found this tutorial - How to Sew a Seat Belt Pillow on youtube.  It seemed easy enough to follow.  I check the cotton stash to see what was available and found something that I hope will make him smile a bit.  I changed the dimensions just slightly due to the size restriction of my fabric.  Here's the finished product:

For those who may be looking for a similar product, there are versions for sale on Etsy.  Here's one that is fairly inexpensive - Seat Belt Pillow.  This would be a great charity item to make and gift.

Happy Stitching!