Hello, Summer! Amy Butler Pillows

Doesn't this fabric scream summer? Our family room was in need of a summer infusion. This winter, the room was painted - transforming it from cold builder-beige to warm tan. The new color warms the room so much, but it was feeling a little like fall with all the tan and brown furniture. I have orange and green accents in the room, so this fabric worked perfectly. I received the main fabric (Amy Butler Gothic Rose) in a scrap pack ordered from etsy. The cut was only a 14 inch cut, so to fit my 20 inch pillow form, I added the border (Amy Butler Olive Seeds). By the way, if you need pillow inserts, I found that IKEA is a good source. These 20 inch feather-filled inserts were only $6.99 each.

I like how the floral pattern mimics the brown vine pattern on the adjacent slipper chairs.

Rather than add a zipper, I opted for a simple envelope design and used a coordinating stripe (Amy Butler Oxford Stripe).

I would like to try the patchwork pillow on the cover of the latest Stitch magazine. I've never done patchwork or quilting, so this might be a good introduction.

Maggie's new duds

Meet Maggie. She was my daughter's first babydoll, a gift from my mom soon after my daughter's birth. After nearly four years with us, Maggie's original clothes are looking a little worn. I planned to make her a new outfit last Christmas, but didn't get to it. So, this week, I whipped up a summer dress and bloomers from some scraps in my stash. It was a quick and easy project....just a simple halter top connected to a gathered skirt. It is sort of a pain to sew such teeny-tiny seams. I got lazy toward the end and just zig-zagged along the hem of the dress and bloomers. I'll see how that holds up after washing and add a proper hem if necessary.

My daughter wanted to make Maggie a leotard. This was totally unprompted by me, so it was fun to see her interest. I gave her a few scraps and she started cutting and glueing! You can see got the shape pretty accurate, complete with shoulder straps and a skirt. The "finished' leotard wasn't exactly functional but it was fun to watch my daughter's creative process!

Sewers block?

For awhile, I just couldn't sew. Maybe my head is too full of ideas and desired projects or maybe I am discouraged by some of the machine issues I have encountered....not sure. Or maybe the sunny warm weather is calling me outside rather than into my sewing room.

Nevertheless, I have a few things in the works. First, I am almost finished on a summer dress for myself....made without a pattern! I just used a shirt that I like and drafted a pattern for the bodice. I am happy how it is coming together. The bodice is complete and I just need to add the skirt. The fabric is lightweight so I am adding a muslin lining to the skirt. I was ready to complete the skirt, but realized I had not washed/dried the muslin. I would be so sad if I completed the dress only to have the lining shrink up and ruin the look and fit.

I am also ready to make some new pillow covers for our family room sofa and our sewing/creative room loveseat with the fabrics above. Both rooms need a little summer update. Maybe I'll make some coordinating coasters, too. *Surprisingly* I had fabric onhand for both sets and did not have to make a purchase.