Pillow Talk

I like making throw pillows. There are so many options for shape, trims, colors. I always make my own piping and I have been known to make 50 (yes, fifty!) yards of piping at a time. Most of the time when I make that much piping, though, it's for cushions. But it's not that difficult to make and adds another dimension or accent to the pillows. Take a look at these!

My latest project: down-filled throw pillows!

Bright coral linen fabric, almost a burlap woven texture

Close-up of the fringe I used. Most of the top "tape" portion was sewn inside with just the fringe and tassels showing 

Floral throw pillow;  the striped and dot fabrics behind it were for the window valances.  

The paisley pillows have a cord edging on them

Reversible cushions with coordinating reversible pillows

More pillows with cord edging

The blue pillows are a silk shantung and the gold are a velour with a cheetah design cut in the fabric.

Orange linen pillows

Brown/cream check pillows in back; blue tapestry/scroll design fabric pillows with piping made from brown/cream check fabric

Wrapped Up in Memories

This is my busy season, more-so than Christmas. Graduation! I guess that's my excuse for not posting much lately. I'm good at multitasking but working and writing at the same time...well, it gets complicated. As if my life isn't complicated enough!
So, to explain my title. It has a double meaning. You can get wrapped up thinking about fun times, hard times, friendships and family, and accomplishments. I've always loved scrapbooking, digging out photos and remembering the occasion. I confess I'm photo-crazy. I love taking photos, looking at them, giving them away, and keeping them for my scrapbooks. I've always been that sentimental, collecting ticket stubs, napkins, souvenirs. I started doing scrapbooks while I was still in school, before the huge craze it is now! When a good friend of mine showed me a photo of a t-shirt quilt and asked me to make one for her son I said "why not!". I've never been afraid to sew something I've never made before. I can look at a photo of something and copy it easily.

High school football theme t-shirt quilt

Quilt close-up showing the grey fleece back

High school, vacation, sports memories

College fraternity quilt

So, back to the t-shirt quilt. They're squares of memories you can snuggle under. I make mine with a micro-fleece backing instead of muslin. It's super-soft and warm, comes in tons of colors, and eliminates the need for that bulky batting. This time of year I get a lot of orders for graduation gifts. I just love to see what they pick as favorite t-shirts to put on the quilts. It's something different every quilt and each shirt has a special story, a special meaning. This is something they will always treasure. That's why I love making them.