Seat Cushion Covers

So this is what I have been working on lately: 8 seat cushion covers!

My customer chose the fabric and sent me the measurements.

I think they turned out great!  The butterfly pillow, below, is a nice addition.

The cushions have a long zipper that wraps around 2 corners for easy on and off.

When applying the piping, be sure and clip the corners so it will bend around.  This shows the piping being attached to one top piece.  I used a regular foot here and then used a zipper foot for the final sewing so the stitches will be less likely to show.

To join the piping, I clipped the inside cord so it would just meet.  The tan fabric is longer so the raw edges of one side can be turned under for a neat finish.

 

Just in time to enjoy the beautiful weather!

 

Recently Spotted on My Sewing Room Table

Stamping supplies, and a dictionary.  I always wanted to have a craft room available for my kids with lots of supplies.  Some days we are all in here together doing homework and artwork.  I am happy, even if there is no room to sew!

Here is a recent project I did for a customer.  She brings me the most interesting things to work on.  This pillow is from one of her many travels and she had a framed Indian embroidery that

she wanted sewn on top.  Why? you may ask. 

The pillow had an odd center- very plain, yet surrounded by beautiful gold and pearls. 

 The embroidery was on organza so I backed it with a lavendar wool scrap I had.   

Patchwork Pillows

I love using what I have on hand- its like getting it for free (almost).  So I already had these upholstery scraps and trim pieces.

I simply combined the odds and ends together.  The backs are all overlapping- no zippers, with removable 12"x16" forms.  I am slowly using up my stash (to make room for more fabric!).

Shhh- Don't Tell the Cat: Bird Appliqued Pillows

I recently finished these pillows- 16"x16".  They have an overlapped back, with a removable pillow form.  I received a lovely songbird datebook as a gift and it has been inspiring me to do something with birds.  I traced the outline of a Northern Mockingbird (the datebook has photos of birds each week).  Then used the tracing as a pattern for the raw edge applique. 

I free motion stitched around the birds.

Feline Friday- I mean Saturday!

I could give you a whole list of excuses on why I am a day late, but suffice it to say, its summer, and I was out of town.

Since this is Saturday (not Friday), here is a picture of raccoons (not cats), that my daughter Grace and I sewed from an American Girl Kit.  We were having a mother/daughter afternoon.  The kit was fun to make, easy and contained everything we needed.

I sewed the mama raccoon and she sewed the daughter one.

Meow.

Feline Friday- Stuffed Cat

I sewed this Color Me Cat close to 10 years ago and I've made a bunch since then as gifts.  This one's ears have seen better days.  It is plain broadcloth or muslin, stuffed, about 18" tall.  I always include Crayola washable markers because they are the most reliable for washing out.  My kids love drawing on their cats and then sending them through the washer so they can do it again!  Color Me Cat is great for 2-10 year olds for playing with and drawing on; then as teenagers they can use permanent markers and get all their friends' autographs.

I sewed Color Me Cat, Jr. this morning.  He is 10" tall.  I made more pronounced ears on him too.  I just free-handed the shape- I think it adds character.  Remember to add seam allowance.  Stitch around twice to reinforce the seam.  Clip the curves to the stitching before turning.  Stuff and sew the opening shut. 

Pillow Case Class

The past few weeks, I have been teaching an afterschool sewing class.

Here are students showing off their pillow cases. 

They have been bitten by the sewing bug.

Good work ladies, keep on sewing!

New Seat Cushions!

 I am on a roll fixing up the house!  I love quick, easy projects with impact.  The kids and husband complained the chairs were uncomfortable and hard.  I sewed 4 seat cushions for our kitchen table from fabric and ribbon I got off the free table at a Sewing Guild meeting.  Love the Free Table!   Basically just a pillow with ribbon on 2 corners.  I boxed the front 2 corners.

I stuffed them with several layers (3 maybe) of leftover batting.  The print will hopefully hide food stains.  Now no one can complain about sitting at the table to eat!

New Pattern- Cabin Pillow and Quilt

I just finished up a new pattern- Cabin Pillow and Quilt
You get 8 pages of photos and instructions explaining how to make this great pillow and quilt. Instructions are in English and come straight to your e-mail so shipping is free!

I call this a Cabin design because it is based on a log cabin block. Easy to sew. Use up your scraps!

These would be great as a matching set or, like my examples, separates destined for different houses. I actually made a pair of pillows to sell but my family liked them so much I had to keep them!       

A Really Neat Fundraiser

A few years ago, my kids' school did a funraiser that involved putting their artwork on a variety of items.  Mugs, pillow cases, boxes etc. were all choices as well as fabric squares.  I ordered the fabric and finally got around to finishing them.  Part of the reason it took me so long is I was waiting for the school to do it again, so I would have more squares to work with!

Well, it became apparent that this was it.  So I asked the kids to pick out fabric from my stash that they would like me to use to frame their art.  I sewed them separately in case they wanted to hang it in their rooms.  I pieced the borders and then sewed, right sides together, around the edges.  No interior stitching so I can actually stuff each one and make them pillows later on, if they want to.

Pillows from a Rug

A customer brought me this gorgeous, embroidered wool rug and wanted 2 pillows made from it.  I cut it in half and picked the heavy canvas backing off.

The back has a really interesting texture.

She wanted removable inserts.  I sewed 2 stuffed pillow forms.  For the back of  the pillows, I used 2 pieces of muslin, overlapped, to form a zipper-free closure.

Here is the finished back.

The 2 finished pillows.  I love the colors!

Quilters Need Massages and Summer Sewing Classes!

I just got back from having a fabulous massage with my FREE gift certificate that I won during Quilting Adventures' Quiltathon.  Dena over at Health First Chiropractic, Glen Allen, VA really knows her stuff.  Thank you again!

I have several classes coming up at Quilting Adventures.  Wed.June 30,10a.m. is a beginner class for 8years and older to make letter pillows.  Easy and fun, spell out initials, a name, or a word.

Tues.June 29,10a.m. is a cell phone bag class.  Simple and can hold all kinds of things!

Donated More Cat Beds

Just got back from donating 4 more cat and dog beds to the SPCA. They are really easy to make. Here are instructions: http://catsongstitchery.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-make-pet-pillow.html The kids love seeing the animals enjoying the beds. It uses scraps and old rags that would be thrown away otherwise.

Kids Sewing Projects

On a recent weekend, my kids decided they wanted to sew something. My daughter, 10, designed the owl. She is fully capable of sewing it herself, but she ran out of steam so I assembled the pieces.

My son, 7, drew the griffins on fabric and then I sewed around them. He helped stuff. I try not to pressure my kids into sewing. I wait until they are ready to work on a project. Hopefully this approach will lead them to view sewing as a fun hobby (not something Mom made them do!).

Easy to Sew Letter Pillows

I made these for my niece, but I've also taught classes to kids on sewing letters. They are fun and easy. You can choose a mixed look or use all the same fabric. It is a great gift for young kids just learning how to spell their names. Older kids like them as decoration for their rooms.

One thing to keep in mind, cut the letters larger than you want them. They will end up smaller due to seam allowance, stuffing. For letters with a hole (a,b,d etc.) I applique the "hole" before stitching together.

Valentine's Day Tree Ornaments

We decorate our ficus tree every year for Valentine's Day. Some hearts are from years ago, my husband's and my first Valentine's Day together!

This year I sewed a bunch of small pillows with ribbon, lace and ricrac scraps. Lots of fun!

My kids made pipecleaner and pony bead hearts last year.

Heart shaped paper doilies too.

This one I made 20 years ago out of scraps from my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses. It is cheerful to look at and easy to do!

Stuffed Fabric Gnome

My son loves gnomes, so we were very excited to see gnome fabric at Quilting Adventures! www.quiltingadventures.com We sewed the front and back together, stuffed it and now he sleeps with it every night!

This is the back view before it was sewn. Pre-printed panels are a really easy sewing project for beginners or children who just want a quick, fun activity that won't take forever to finish.

Donated More Cat Beds

During the last week of Dec., I delivered 4 more pet beds to our local SPCA. I make these using scraps left over from other projects. The top two are worn out and stained t-shirts (turned inside out to hide the stains) stuffed with scraps. I keep a pillow by my sewing machine and just toss any scraps straight in. When it is full, I sew it shut.

Winter Solstice Ornaments

Here are ornaments made from a pre-printed panel. Super easy, just cut, sew, turn, stuff. My 7 year old helped and then I added buttons and bows. The backs are the same.
Happy Winter Solstice!

Sew an Alien

My son loved the alien I made him last year, so he wanted a friend for his alien this year! These are fun to make. I use whatever scraps I've got- wool felt for the "belt" and eyes. The one on the left has flannel on the bottom and corduroy up top. I applique the felt parts first. With right sides together, I stitch around the shape once and then again, because space travel can really knock the stuffing out of you! Clip all your curves before turning right side out. Big simple shapes are the easiest to work with, especially with heavy weight fabric like the corduroy and the checked drapery fabric. I can't wait to see these rocketing through the house!