Sunday, April 25, 2010

return on creativity: love bird pillows

extra pillow shams + applique + a little trim =


For some reason I had two extra pillow shams that match my bedroom duvet cover. For years they've been taking up space on my I-can't-get-rid-of-this-because-I'm-going-to-do-something-with-it-someday shelf. I'm so happy that I finally got them off the shelf. I love the results.

The idea all started with the extra shams...

My inspiration was birds. Have you noticed that birds are popping all over in decor? I love it! So I found a great bird silhouette on the Internet and traced it onto some wonder under that I fused to a dark brown fabric remnant from my bag of scraps.
I cut out the birds and fused them to my pillow tops, set my machine to the tightest zig-zag stitch, and started sewing.
The brown bird fabric had a really loose weave and my applique turned out with some threads sticking up. Normally I would have been a bit stressed, but I think it gives the pillows a sort of chunky rustic look that goes with the decor of my bedroom. I consider it a "happy accident."


Then I sewed on my favorite pillow trim. Isn't it sweet and simple?

Finally I sewed right sides of the pillow front and back together, turned everything right side out, stuffed, and hand sewed it closed. Here's the finished product.

Extra incentive to make the bed...and if hubby and I aren't getting along I can just swap the birds so they aren't facing each other. I love passive aggressive decor!!!

6 comments:

Lisa said...

How pretty! I love that you made 2 so the birds can face each other. What a cute idea!

areyoukiddingme said...

OMG! Passive aggressive decor - that is the BEST idea ever! You should totally market that.

I am opposed to decorative pillows. We were trying to put away our comforter for the summer today, and we were putting it on a shelf with fabric left over from recovering our dining room chairs (2 sets and 7 years ago). My husband took down the fabric and asked what I wanted to do with it. I said "Goodwill." He said "My mom could make some nice pillows with it." I said, "I wish I knew how to sew, so I could do that, but we don't need any pillows either. Goodwill."

ASP said...

Don't be putting birds on your blog because I will find where you live and come get them, lady! ;) I dug birds before it was cool to dig birds, so I think I should have those birds on your bed! ;) Thanks for the cool pillow idea and showing off your craftiness. I also dug that bag you made for the girl at hubby's school. Cute!

Rambler said...

I love those pillow! And genuis to make them facing each other depending on your mood. :)

Do you create quilts by any chance? Or know how I can find someone that makes them? Or a good site that could teach me (who can barely thread a needle mind you) on how?

Sorry for all the questions. :)

Unknown said...

these are amazing! simple and beautiful :)

Sewmancer said...

These are great. I really like how they turned out - and if we ever get a guest bedroom, it'll be near the top of my priority list. I don't think I could manage extra bed making on my bed!

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