yes, yes, i finally made something. You’ve probably been wondering why the blog is called “mostly sewing” when I’m mostly talking about other topics. well, here’s what I’ve been up to today.
*pics taken on my iphone… I have no idea where my camera is right now. And my house is really dark so sometimes it’s just difficult to take good pics*
A few weeks ago, my mom and I ran into a Restoration Hardware store and fell in love with these pillows. Unfortunately, they were $69 for the pillow cover (which my mom was ready to pay for, but I convinced her there was a cheaper way).
First, we went an antique store in our town that sells upholstery fabrics and other unique fabrics and chose some blue and whites. Then we went to Joann’s and bought some other types (yay memorial day sale!). Mom also wanted to buy a pattern, but I told her that I could sew a box easily. We looked through this book for some tips.
This was really helpful on the back of the pillow, but I’ve really only included this picture to display the awful 80s fabric… and to show that I didn’t come up with this all on my own. Here’s my version of the same thing:
Then I sewed 3/8 around the edges and turned inside out. Ironed (not my favorite thing to do).
Then I cheated: instead of measuring 20″ around and making a perfect square (which never works for me), I just pinned the original pillow cover to the new one and sewed around it.
Pull over the pillow insert and you’re done! I only needed 50 minutes to make one, including ironing a synthetic fabric at a low temp :p The first couple pillows had trouble with the closure actually aligning…. i just added fabric to the overlap for the rest of them.
They look so nice on the couches!
This is the pillow I made from the antique store fabric. Not sure if it really goes with the others, but I like it anyway.
So that’s what I’ve been working on for most of the day. I think they look as nice as the Restoration Hardware pillows, but they were definitely cheaper!
For next time: don’t get the navy fabric at Joann’s. This one was a synthetic woven fabric that left threads everywhere and was difficult to work with. Cotton or linen next time. The dark navy and white pattern was my favorite.
