Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Daisy Janie fabric + Sew Mama Sew Pillow Contest = a great personal challenge

I mentioned that a few new projects had come my way.  Today, I will share one of those projects with you.

Several weeks ago, my good blog friend Jan of Daisy Janie and I were tweeting back and forth about great projects that could be made with her beautiful new shades of grey organic fabric.  She mentioned a pillow making contest by Sew Mama Sew and tossed out the idea that I could make a pillow using shades of grey and my woven seat belt pillow design.

My first response was that I don't consider myself a seamstress.  I don't know how to quilt and I rarely, if ever, follow pattern directions.  I'm a rogue sewer.  I've always admired quilters for their patience, technique, and meticulous eye for detail.  These are qualities I have not nurtured in the sewing arena.  I'm the queen of instant gratificationEarl of the easy way outCountess of cutting corners.  Besides, there was the added pressure of cutting and sewing Jan's beautiful new fabric

Excuses!

The seed was planted.  I stopped by Sew Mama Sew and read up on the contest and decided I was up for the challenge.  After all, I've blogged a lot about opening myself up to new opportunities and exploring possibilities.  I've seen wonderful things happen when I step out of my comfort zone and take risks.

So, without further adieu, here is my submission for the Sew Mama Sew pillow contest.  I used two of Jan's fabrics:  zipper tape and dapple dot.  During construction, I decided to use dark grey seat belt webbing for the sides.  The structure and contrast it gives is a nice addition to the pillow.  I cut out 28 strips of fabric, sewed, ironed (ironing is generally never something I do), top sticthed, wove and hand finished the pillow.  This is the end result:



Win or lose, I am so happy I took this personal challenge.  I'm grateful Jan shared the idea with me and entrusted me with her wonderful fabric (thank you, Jan).  I enjoyed the process and am completely thrilled with the result.

14 comments:

  1. THAT is TOTALLY COOOL!!! Omgosh! I L O V E it...:) Now...tutorial if you please...lol...;)

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  2. this is awesome, linda! nice work, shows off those greys perfectly and i love the added touch of the seatbelt for form on the side. nice!

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  3. 'rogue sewer' hehe - I LOVE IT - very cool Linda- you are amazing!

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  4. Love your descriptions of your sewing self as much as I love the pillow! You did an amazing job on this, Linda - the woven design and the textures blend & contrast so nicely!! (I'd like Rogue Sewer on a t-shirt asap!) Thank you so much!!!!! I'm glad we had that tweet chat a few Saturdays ago (normally I wouldn't have been home, but the ice kept me from the gym that morning...yay!!!!)

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  5. WOW! I am totally blown away. This is gorgeous!! I can't believe what you can do with fabric and seatbelts. You win!

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  6. All three materials came together beautifully - well done! (Bet it would sell well!)

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  7. just gorgeous! It is just a stunner and good for you for entering it....sadly, I'm still working on mine (past the deadline, oops).

    You talented little lass, you.

    xoxo

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  8. @Dawn

    Thanks, Dawn. I did take photos w/a tutorial in mind but we'll see if I get it together. It's a pretty big project.

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  9. @Jan | Daisy Janie

    What fun! I'm glad we tweet chatted, too.

    Seriously, you quilters intimidate me.

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  10. Thanks everyone! I'm curios to see if it makes it into the finals. You'll be the first to know!

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