Thursday, February 9, 2012

Pillow Talk . . . .

Look what I made, PILLOWS!!


Some Countdown to Christmas pillows to go with my Countdown to Christmas quilt and Countdown to Christmas wall hanging.

I've been wanting to make some pillows to go with some of my quilts ever since I picked up this book. (still available, click here)

This is "Shams with Style" by Heather Mulder Peterson and Deb Mulder. I bought this book almost two years ago; and every time I finish a quilt I think, "I need to make some matching pillows". But I'm usually in a hurry to move on to the next project on my To Do list and tell myself, "I'll make them after I get the top quilted" or "I'll make them when I'm ready to put the quilt on the bed". Well that has yet to happen so this time I decided to make the pillows now, so when Christmas rolls around and I get my quilt out, I'll have the pillows ready to go.

I recommend the book, it has several patterns (no zippers required, yeah!), provides different size requirements for different bed sizes, and the instructions are well written with great illustrations.

I decided to go with 3 pillows to stretch across the headboard. Several of the techniques required to make the pillows were new to me so I decided to make one pillow start to finish, then tackle the other two pillows.

I had a free afternoon and figured I could whip out one pillow in a couple of hours.

hahaha


This was the first time I had ever quilted anything bigger than a mug rug, and only the second time I had ever attached binding to a project.


I did use this foot for the first time and it worked great. See that guide in the middle of that foot? All I had to do was line up that foot on my quilt pattern and sew. It took 2 hours to quilt both sides of the pillow!! Who knew machine quilting was so time consuming!!


Here's a closeup of the quilting and the ties.

I used white quilting thread on one side of the pillow and red on the other. I made all three pillows that way. I'm not sure which side I prefer, but it gives me the option to go all white, all red, two white one red, or one red two white.



Yes, ties! no zipper required.


It took me over 3 days to make these three pillows but I think it was well worth the time.

Not counting the shopping, decorating, cooking, and partying that comes with Christmas, I'm all ready!



23 comments:

  1. Thelma, I haven't been a pillow person 'till now...they are wonderful! They look fantastic on the bed. You should be very proud!

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  2. adorable! They look great with the quilt !!!! I have been saying the same thing
    I should make a few pillows.
    will look into the book, thanks!
    Kathie

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  3. I've never made a pillow either. I've seen several online that use the envelope method that looked interesting. I have quilted my own small projects before and it always takes about 4 times the amount of time that I think it's going to take. Your pillows look wonderful!

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  4. Fantastic! Your pillows look great with the quilt!

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  5. The pillows are fun. I've toyed with getting that book myself. Now I think I will. I follow Heather's blog, and she is very creative - she has some very fun quilt patterns and books.

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  6. I have that book and have made matching pillow shams for my daughter's quilt for her bed. I haven't made any others yet but I will. Yours are fantastic. You are so ready for Christmas now!

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  7. They look great Thelma!! Especially all made up on the bed with your quilt!! ... And what a clever design idea! I'll have to keep an eye out for the book - Thanks!!

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  8. Love your pillows, and I'm so impressed that you are ready for Christmas! Imagine what you will have finished by December!

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  9. You are such a prolific quiltmaker that I was surprised to read that you haven't done much binding. That is my favorite part...stitching down the binding and admiring the quilt, and being so excited that it is almost done! Your bed looks so amazing!

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  10. Well who does the binding on all your quilts...your husband???

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  11. They are wonderful and really make a finished look! see machine quilting isn't that bad!!! keep practicing!

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  12. Wow, Thelma, they are beautiful. Looks like a must have book.

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  13. Those pillows are just perfect to complete your bed for Christmas ! Great Job !

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  14. Fantastic Thelma! I love them! I need more pillows too~ I always buy a little extra fabric thinking I'll make pillows to go with a quilt, but I never seem to do it. I need to put this book on my list!

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  15. I love those pillows...and the no zipper part a big plus for me!!!! Great job. I definitely will be getting that book.

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  16. Your pillows are awesome. I have that book and have made a couple of different styles myself.

    Haven't done anything with ties yet but after seeing yours, I think it is my turn! Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Love those pillows Thelma! It really sets off the quilt and it looks gorgeous together...very, very nice!

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  18. Great project and a wonderful finishing touch to your fabulous quilt! I will be on the lookout for the book.

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  19. Okay, you inspire me. I hope that book still in print, because I need to do the same thing. Especially at Christmastime, we are in such a rush, but so wise to take a wintery day and finish it all off. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Elizabeth E.
    opquilt.com

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  20. The pillows look great and so does your quilt! Thanks for blogging about the book and I can tell you from experience, that the next ones will go quicker ;-) Nice job

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