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| owls for a good friend |
Well, it's official. I am a sewing fanatic. Recently I decided that I wanted to learn to sew. It is something I have always wanted to do since I was a little girl, but I never got around to learning. My mom always made our duvet covers, curtains, costumes, and party dresses growing up and I LOVED them. It has always been one of my biggest regrets, so I figured why fret when I can LEARN. :) This is very exciting for me. It was a big adjustment for me to be a beginner at something. It is not something I like very much, but you always have to start somewhere.
So, I knew my friend was selling his sewing machine (he is also in nursing school and we nursing students have zero free time) but I decided that I wanted to start spending my free time sewing and making fun projects. I bought his gently used sewing machine and immediately went to the fabric store. WHAT A DISAPPOINTING TRIP... Holy smokes. First I went to Joann's Fabric and I immediately left because they had NOTHING that I was looking for. My first project was a basic couch throw pillow cover and I wanted something nice because it was going to be in my living room. Then I went to Hancock's Fabrics which was a ton better and I outfitted myself with all of the necessities to be a pro..(sorta) However, their fabric selection was still lacking, I was shocked considering that we are in Chicago here and I'm sure I'm not the only one shopping for fabric.
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| John Deere Girly Fabric :):) |
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| More John Deere Girly Fabric :):) |
Thanks to all of the wonderful crafting blogs out there, I was recommended to Fabric.com which is amazing and has free shipping on orders over $35 and free return shipping if you don't like the fabric, that's pretty amazing in my book. What an amazing site. I ordered some fun fabric to make gifts for friends, especially some john deere fabric, pink elephantes for little Bridget, and some owl fabric for a good friend who is making me a scrapbook.. Must give back. :)
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| Pink Elephanntes for Bridget (and me) |
So I started making this pillow and it was a great learning experience. I feel like I can definitely make some reusable grocery bags now as my first wave of gifts for friends. Learning to thread the machine and sew a straight line were definitely the hardest lessons, but after sewing on scraps of muslin for 4 hours last night I have finally mastered it. I woke up this morning determined to sew this pillow cover, yeah buddy.. I love my new (used) sewing machine, we are new best friends and enemies.. hehe. but really I love him, I shall name him Stitchy
I started with this beautiful 100% cotton fabric. It has such lovely rich colors. I cut it into a "perfect" haha yeah right, 21 inch square. You must iron EVERYTHING by the way, I could not find our big iron so I used our midgy iron but it worked just as well.
Then I made the mistake of using "sateen" muslin as the backing, man that stuff was tricky.. So anyway, I cut the muslin in two pieces that were 75% of the size of the pillow because I was making an envelope back. I cut them into pieces that were 21 inches by 15 and 3/4 inches.
Then I sewed everything together, ironed it, finished it with a french seem and viola! MY VERY OWN THROW PILLOW... holy smokes I made that..:) As mom says "it's a little lumpy" Why yes, Mother, it is because this is my very FIRST project and my pillow form is 4 years old. But do not fear, I will only get better. :)
This will not be my last project, it is my very first.. Please check back in the next few days to see what I make next.. You never know, it might be for YOU... :):)
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