Blue Pillows

I finished the blue pillows. I am still on the fence about this first pair. I love the Federal blue color and the Brandon Mably's fish lips print underneath. So I am not sure just what it is that makes me go "eh". Maybe it's the cut outs. Or maybe just because I had so much trouble with them. The sizing was not quite right. The 16 inch pillow I had was too fluffy. I think all I need is a more solid pillow with less puff.



This second set of Federal blue pillows was fun to make. Making the overlapping kaleidoscope circles to match the kaleidoscope print underneath took quite some time, but so worth it.


The backside still needs the piece with the snap for closure. Or maybe it doesn't? I do like the clean lines. Hmmm....what do you think?

Now I just need to decide whether or not I am taking the pillow covers to the Riverside's December Holiday Art and Crafts Sale. I do not have enough inserts for all of them. Between allergies and personal preference for pillow fillers, I figure less than half of the people would need one. But still, very bulky to have sitting out. Maybe I just keep them home & put them in my shops online. Which means photo shoots. Hmmm....

Black Friday thry Cyber Monday

Simply put - I am having a sale. Free shipping worldwide from both my Etsy and Artfire shop. Now, Black Friday, through Cyber Monday. Hurry on in, because many of my pieces will be gone in December enjoying some time in a holiday craft show at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti.

Pink Hair Pieces

I did not get much sewing done this past week. Most of my time was spent reworking listing wordage and taking some more pics of home items. I did manage to finish off a couple hair pieces from some pillow leftovers though.

This first one is a headband attachment. I just wanted something simple and not too large.

The underside has a piece of velvet ribbon that the band can slide through. This way you can position the decoration anywhere you want. Plus, the velvet ribbon helps hold it in place.

This barrette is just about done. I was not sure if I wanted to add something more, but I think I will stick with the simpler is better theme. Since I still have to sew the front and back together, I do have time to change my mind. One thing I will most likely do is stuff it a bit to make it puffy.

Paler Pink Duo

More pink pillows. This time a duo. These are for 16 inch pillows. I can't wait until the inserts arrive so I can see how they look full.

I went back and forth on what to do for the decorative stitching. I like where I settled...little bursts to match the print.


The bolder pink pillow I made last had that small concern of enough fabric to cover the backside, so I added the strip of print. Well, I really liked it, so I did it again.

Once in the middle of one panel...

And the other on the edge of a panel...

Next up...blues!

Pretty in Pink

I got started on that batch of pillows slated for circular cut outs. This first one is a single. The material is a bit stretchier than the rest I have made and therefore came with a few choice words that make it even more original :P

I only had enough fabric for one pillow, but I loved the combo with this print too much to pass it by. It is also a biggie...made for an 18 inch pillow insert.


The color was difficult to capture well, but this shot shows the stitched matching bead pattern well enough. Some circles have a single stitch line around it and others are doubled. No reason, I just liked the look.

Remember I said I only had enough fabric for one pillow? Well, that was pushing it. I added a strip of the print on the backside...and loved the result. I liked it enough to make 2 strips. Which also gives me the bonus of more fabric for some hair pieces to match.

This pillow is a bit larger than the last batch of 14 inchers, but I think the snap closure piece still works well. If I were to make a super large one, I'd have to forgo the snap & go with a zipper.

Next up...more pink. Read: easier to keep going with the same thread :P

Pillow WIPs...Circle Cut Outs This Time

I have started on another batch of pillows. I loved the olive circle applique one so much that I decided to make more with the round cut out.I also varied the sizes, some as large as 20 inches. I love big pillows, so cozy.

There will be blues...

Pinks...

And olives...

I decided to use the cut outs on some of the pillows as well. In the end there will be solid pillows with print peek throughs and print pillows with solid color circles appliqued to the front. I hope. In my head it looks great...we'll see.

I'll be making the hair WIPs alongside the pillows since the machine will already be threaded with the right colors. Yes, lazy can determine the order of getting things done. But I prefer to call it efficient.

To Be Hooped

I have a bunch of embroidery pieces that I have been, well, procrastinating about. I did turn my skull piece into my purse.

And the Fruity Oaty Bar girls into a pillow (reminder: list pillow in shop).

I think I may just do the rest as wall pieces in the hoop. The crafty bunny is on a silky linen like material and the roses are on silk, which do make better pillows than hoops, but there is not quite enough fabric around the images for that. And if I hoop them, they can always be reworked into something else if someone wants the piece, but in a different form.

Now to decide how to finish them off...paint or wrap or keep the hoop bare? Back it with sewn fabric stretched across or felt or even scrapbook paper stamped & glued on the back? Or maybe a combo of each to see which I like the best :)

Hair WIPs

I have not sewn more since the last batch of pillows. But I have been prepping. And cleaning the house. Lots of that. Don't worry, I won't be showing pics of the messy house :) Instead you get to see the mess of fabric that has been slated to become hair pieces. And yes, they match all the pillows I made earlier.

Wordless Wednesday

Baker's twine from The Supply Owl ... 15% off purchases now through Nov 30th