Laurie + Denyse = New Pillows

Do you love Laurie Wisbrun’s fun and preppy designs?  Of course I had to get some of her bee and cardinal fabrics.  I didn’t have a plan in mind when I got the fabric, which is nice sometimes, but other times can be frustrating not to have enough fabric once a decision has been made to finally use it.

The horizontal lines of cardinals made it easy to make fast 2.5” strip pillow covers.  I just cut all my strips 2.5” and then spent a lot of time arranging and rearranging all the strips into different combinations.  In the end I settled on green & blue for one, and red & blue for the other.

I’ve always made envelope closures for the back, but this time I thought I’d give zippers a try.  I only had two on hand, one red and one cream, but I kind of like the way the red really pops on the back. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be.  I think the zippers add a professional touch, but next time I’ll try to make them hidden zippers.  Now that I’ve given zippers a try I’m not as intimidated. 

Here’s a pic of how I fashioned the front of the pillows.  I just cut 2.5” strips from my fabric and pieced them together, pressing all the seams open.  I used the seam lines for a guide and I straight-line quilted evenly through each strip to finish the fronts before sewing the back to the pillow.

The pillows are so refreshing in my living room, I thought it was time for a couch facelift, so I got a slipcover for it!  I think the lighter color, after 13 years of a green couch, has brightened up the room considerably.  While I’m not a fan of the slipcover fit or quality of fabric, it is the third one we tried and we are going to live with it until the kids are a little older.  The nice thing is I can just pop it in the washing machine when needed.

So, I’m {finally!!!!} on my way to having my own handmade pillow collection.  Have a wonderful day!

Thanks, Nemo!

I was able to do a little daytime sewing today thanks to Nemo.  Got these bee blocks ready to mail out for Stash Bee.

I’m going to be honest, at first I didn’t “feel” the color scheme for this block with the black centers, but after seeing my blocks grouped together, I am loving it! 

I couldn’t resist including the sweet vintage iron print from Laundry Day.  A good rule to follow if you’re in a bee is to use the best fabrics you can, which I do.  Everyone’s tastes aren’t the same, but a good rule of thumb is don’t use your ugliest fabrics just to get rid of them.  Not nice!   The pink floral is original Flea Market Fancy.  I think the color is slightly different than the reprints or maybe not included, but I’m not sure.  Either way, it’s Denyse which is always good!

In this block I was really just going to vibrant, bright pinks.  I did fussy cut the Dena Designs Kumari Garden in the bottom left corner so the medallion would be in the center.  My oldest daughter actually said to me, “Mom, I really like this block the best.  I like how the white colors make it pop and how you put that circle in the middle.”  I am not making that up!  She is going to be an amazing quilter one day!

This is my favorite block.  I love the chickens, and the aqua floral is Alexander Henry Farmdale, my all time favorite fabric line, EVER!  A little thing about color I have learned…now the old Jamie would have picked any old aqua color to go on the outside of the black cross.  But after so much trial and error, the more experienced Jamie knew this time to pick something that would contrast with the aqua floral print.  This nearly blue teal print fit the bill and contrasts enough so that all the parts of the x and + stand out.  Just my two cents!

And of course bee blocks wouldn’t be complete without a “bee block.” The bees are Laurie Wisbrun and came in blue and gray too.  And more original Denyse Schmidt—the orange basketweave from her popular Katie Jump Rope line.  That yellow/lime Chicopee print is really versatile, too.  I’ve used it for lots of different bee blocks and love how it looks in everything.

It seems like a lot of quilters have feline assistants judging from all the cat-on-a-quilt photos I see on blogs.  It is no different at my house!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Two Turkeys Kissing

My daughter said, “Look, two turkeys kissing!” when she saw these pillows.

They measure 18”x18” and are made from Laurie Wisbrun’s  “Olive the Ostrich” (not turkey) line of fabric and various scraps.

I did straight line quilting about 1/8” from the seam lines with charcoal thread.  Then I did a bunch of lines around the ostriches to help frame them.

I used leftover fabric from other projects for the backs.  The closures are envelope style.  I haven’t got up the courage to do a zipper back yet.  Soon…

It feels good to have these done before Valentine’s Day.  Linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes.