A Pillow

February 15, 2012

A Pillow

I thought I would take some photos of the layout process I use when I start a project.

First I gather colors and textures I think might work or that I would like to incorporate.





I really like the embroider basket/lady piece and wanted to use it as the focal point of my pillow.
(It didn't work out in the end).




In this photo I'm laying out different textiles for the left side of the pillow.
(I didn't use the pink embroidered dollie piece).



A detailed, idea photo.



A detailed, idea photo.
(The beautiful monogrammed tea towel didn't work out in the end either).



The finished pillow.
You can see a lot of what I planned didn't make it into the final pillow.
It is good to be adaptive when you work on a project.
Sometimes things just don't go together like you wanted.



Pillow detail.



Pillow detail.

Pillow detail.

For the back of the pillow I used a bit of a new chenille bedspread.

I have two more pillow ideas in my brain but before I work them out a need to reorganize my textile stashes.

(Reorganizing is one of my most favorite things in the world)!

Cheers!

A Pillow and A Knit Pattern (By Me)

February 9, 2012

A Pillow and A Knit Pattern (By Me)

I'm so happy with how the pieces for my pillow came together.
It took forever. I should have used the foundation piecing method like you do to sew a crazy quilt.
Next time.
There are 19 different textiles in this pillow.
It was awesome fun to make.







The back.
The pillow sat on my kitchen table for three days until I found the proper backing fabric. (Thanks Jenn).





Details.

Details.

Details.

The pillows look cute on my bed but I'm not fond of throw pillows.

The pillows are looking for a home.

Maybe x-mas gifts.

Maybe I'll try Etsy again. Maybe not. Etsy hurts my brain.

I can' t wait until I finish the other leg warmer to this pair so I can rock them at the gym.

It is my own design. Nobody at my gym wears leg warmers!

Here are the instructions to the best of my writing knitting instruction abilities.

Needles: Clover 9 inch Circular Needle Shorty Size 8
Yarn: 2 skeins (1 skein for each leg warmer); Cascade 220 Heathers; 100% Peruvian Highland Wool; color# 9451

Cast on 45 stitches

Join for knitting in the round

K5

P5

*K15, P5* repeat 9 times

K 5

Cast off.



These instruction will give you a leg warmer about 30" long and 10" round.

Of course you could make them much smaller.

I like my leg warmer to be nearly thigh high

Cheers!

Scrappy Vintage Pillows

February 4, 2012

Scrappy Vintage Pillows

I've been crazy inspired using my collection of vintage textiles.
It started with a generous gift of old quilt pieces, lace and linen bits given to my by my great friend Jenn.



The quilted hearts were already cut and the idea for a pillow sham came together quickly.
I haven't hand quilted in years and it was great to pick up a needle and thimble again.




The chenille backing was a recent find at my favorite antique store Mormon Trader Antiques.http://utah.citysearch.com/profile/649964940/midvale_ut/mormon_trader_antiques.html
The baby blanket size piece was a deal at $10.





This smaller pillow sham has a down pillow form from Ikea.
They are my favorite.

The back of the pillow is new ticking fabric with fun polka dot ribbon.

The next pillow sham bits are pulled together and I'm waiting for an idea.

The focal point will be the kitty needlepoint.

I love it when people tell me 'I could make that'.

I'm sure they can.

Try to find years worth of textile collecting at reasonable prices and make it.

When the pillow is complete I'll share a photo.