Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Sew Seasonal Blog Hop: Selvage Ornament Pillow





Kristy at Quiet Play and Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts are sharing 25 (FREE!) Christmas-themed block patterns!  
You can find the patterns in their Craftsy stores. They are free for the month of November. Paper pieced patterns are here and Ornamental patterns are here. Get them while you can and see what wonderful Christmas things you can create!

Being the selvage obsessed person that I am, Block 9 was the perfect pattern for me. It comes in two sizes: 5" finished and 10" finished. I wanted to make a pillow so I chose the larger size, and made a few minor changes in the pattern:

Here is what you need for the pillow front:
2 - 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" red print
1 - 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of muslin
4 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" white
1 - 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" white
2 - 1 1/2" x 3 1/4" white
2 - 1 1/2" x 10 1/2" white
1 - 1 1/2" x 3" gold
2 - 2 1/4" x 10 1/2" green dot
2 - 2 1/4" x 14" green dot

You will need this for the pillow back:
1 zipper (at least 14" long)
1 - 8" x 14" print
1 - 7" x 14" print

1 14" pillow form.


Start with your piece of muslin, or any scrap fabric--you're just using it as a base and covering it with selvages so it won't show.

I happen to have a whole bag full of Christmas-related selvages, but any selvages would look cute. I always try to add at least one that has the color registration dots.

Place a piece of scrap piece of fabric at the bottom your base, like this:

Lay out your selvages to check the spacing and order,

then just start sewing them, one at a time, close to the selvage edge, adding the next one on top, building your way up to the top until your fabric base is covered.
Turn it over and trim to 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" inches.

Next add your red print, one at the top and one at the bottom of your selvage piece. Draw a line diagonally from corner to corner on each of the 2 1/2" squares. Place a square piece at each corner, sew on the diagonal line, trim and press open so you have a square piece.
 (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of this portion after pressing the white pieces open to make a square)
Sew one  1 1/2" x 3 1/4" white piece on each side of the 1 1/2" x 3" gold piece. This is the top of your ornament. Sew it to the red piece.  Add the 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" white piece to the bottom, and then a 1 1/2" x 10 1/2" white piece to each side. Now you are ready to add the green dots. I decided I wanted a little ornament hanger so I basted a little piece of ribbon to the gold piece before I sewed on the green dots at the top.

then you can add the green dots on the top and bottom, and then on both sides. Voila! Your pillow top is complete!
I wanted an exposed zipper for my pillow back. This tutorial is great! When you have sewed your zipper to the two backing pieces, trim it to 14" inches, make sure your zipper is at least halfway open, and then sew the pillow front and pillow back together.
 Add your 14" pillow form and enjoy your pillow!

If you haven't already been to the Elven Garden yet, go check out the cute paper-pieced snowman ornament made by Jess!

Here is the full list of all the bloggers taking part--lots of inspiration!


1st November: Kristy from Quiet Play & Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts
2nd November: Marieka from Bespoke Bites & Jane from Where Jane Creates
3rd November: Susan from Patchwork N Play & Kelsey from Kelsey Sews
4th November: Janice from Better Off Thread & Erin from Missy Mac Creations
5th November: Lucy from Charm About You & Rebecca from Making Rebecca Lynn
6th November: Charlotte from Lawson and Lotti & Amy from Amy's Crafty Shenanigans
7th November: Jess from the Elven Garden & Cindy from Live a Colorful Life
8th November: Elaine from Dashasel Sews & Kelly from Jeliquilts
9th November: Beth from Plum and June & Fiona from Finding Fifth
10th November: Juliet from Tartan Kiwi & Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches
11th November: Taryn from Pixels to Patchwork & Anorina from Samelia's Mum
12th November: Megan from Jaffa Quilts & Jane from QuiltJane 
13th November: Gemma from Pretty Bobbins


Then it's your turn! Download the patterns (they'll be free for the duration of the blog hop in our Craftsy stores!)  and make one or more of the blocks to create a finished product. Anything you like, as long as it's completely, 100% finished!

Then go here on November 30th to link up your finished product to win some awesome prizes! There's also a Flickr group for the blog hop, where you can share your blocks as you finish them. Show off your progress, and be in the running for a prize there too. That's 2 different ways to win prizes! Yay prizes!
And what are these fabulous prizes?! Well, so far we have:
Awesome Launch Day giveaways - Secret Squirrels - check back November 1st for details!
+ 2 x $10 vouchers
Joy by Kate Spain - full fat quarter bundle + panel (oh yes a FULL bundle!)
2 x $25 vouchers
1 x $25 voucher
1 x $30 gift voucher
Japanese Christmas fabric - fat eighth bundle
Cherry Christmas Charm pack

Plus, are you needing some Christmas fabric supplies for the hop? Well, Chrissy from Sew Lux Fabrics has set up a special discount code on Christmas fabrics in her shop! So if you need supplies, be sure to check it out. The code is "sewseasonal10" and is for 10% off all Christmas fabric (Joy, Blitzen, and Sentiments) through November 18th. A charm pack or layer cake will work perfectly for these patterns!

24 comments:

05 08
Kristy @ Quiet Play said... #

Love this ornament Cindy! The selvages are a great touch. Makes for a beautiful and festive cushion!

Susan said... #

Great job Cindy! I love that you have made use of the selvedges! And the exposed zip is perfect!

Jane said... #

I love selvedges! This is a gorgeous touch!

Lucy | Charm About You said... #

Fabulous! The selvedges look brilliant and I like the red zip too!

Maggie said... #

Cool use of selvedges!

Annabella said... #

Fabulous! I love anything selvedgy and these blocks are so cute.

Unknown said... #

I downloaded those patterns! I love love this pillow...and Christmas. Thanks for sharing!

Amanda Rose
http://sewmuchtosay.blogspot.com

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

Super selvedges xxx

legato1958 said... #

Love your Christmas Pillow!

susie
legato1958@aol.com

Terriaw said... #

Cool project, and a great way to use selvages! And you did a zipper - good for you.

CitricSugar said... #

Okay, Cindy - that is stinkin' adorable! I actually just said out loud to anyone who would listen, "Ya gotta come see this pillow!"

Svetlana said... #

so, so PRETTY!!!!

Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts said... #

That's one awesome ornament!! I love the use of selvages!! Thanks for joining in!

Brenda said... #

So pretty! love the pillow!
hulseybg@gmail.com

Mama Pea said... #

Your ornament turned out just fantastic. I love it!

Wendy said... #

Such a lovely pillow, what a fab idea to use the selvages, it looks great!

SIMPLESEW said... #

Great idea and tip.. cute pillow

Beth said... #

So cute! Great idea to use the selveges!

giddy99 said... #

I love it! I just need more time to make some Christmas pillows, too!

tartankiwi said... #

What a great cushion! I love your use of selvages.

Bea said... #

Love everything selvage!!! Great tuto!

Unknown said... #
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Jenni said... #
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
apartment balcony Christmas decorations said... #

just love your Christmas Pillow!