Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Sunday, August 7, 2011

A Pillow Finish

I did a little bit of finishing today. After choosing a simple checkered border on my little crow-on-a-pumpkin design I got busy with another project and set it aside! I got it back out before the weekend and finished it off and decided if I didn't finish-finish it soon it might go undone. Can't have that. THAT pile is already big enough, let me tell you.

Design ~ Gather A Harvest (portion)
Designer ~ Lizzie*Kate
Fabric ~ 28 count Monaco
 Fiber ~ DMC

Try as I might I could not get decent photos today. 


I love my new Autumn pillow. This summer has been dreadful with heat and little rain. I am definitely ready for fall!

I had a question recently about how I get such neat corners. Are they? I suppose my sewing skills are improving, as this finish went together without a hitch. I am still no sewing expert! So, my inexpert tips are: I always use iron-on interfacing, if for no other reason but to stop fiber-fill from squiggling out. I sew each side straight up, not turning corners, overlapping to make a + at each corner. I trim the points off the corners, careful not to cut through the seams. On larger things like this I sew the bottom leaving a gap and use a blind stitch to close after stuffing. On smaller items I will leave the entire bottom open for easier turning and stuffing. Some things I over-stuff until it's rock-hard, others I will lightly stuff. This Autumn pillow was lightly stuffed.

Who likes giveaways? I'm thinking of having one soon. If you would answer my poll at the top right...

Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox 

77 comments:

Carrie said...

What a cute pillow. I just love that fabric!

Chris said...

I love this finish! The fabric is so perfect :)
I love fall patterns and this time of year I have fall on my mind since it is so hot.
Have a great week!

Unknown said...

Great finish and finishing tips! I love the fabric you chose.

Unknown said...

I left my comment, and then realized that I hadn't voted so I read the question, and I couldn't vote. My entering giveaways is haphazard at best, so I felt I wasn't a good example. I would like any of the giveaways.

Lana said...

So cute!

Lesleyanne said...

A gorgeous finish - love the fabric.

butterfly said...

Love your Autumn pillow, and you have made a great job of putting it together.

Carissa said...

Sharon, your pillow looks fantastic! What a great tip for sewing the edges - I've only made a small pin pillow and I had a heck of a time with it. The next time I make a pillow, I'll try you're suggestion.

Oh, and I answered your poll!

Cindy's Stitching said...

I love the fabric on this one. What a nice piece. I love the summer and fall reminds me of winter coming. Its good to have seasons.

CalamityJr said...

That's a great fabric for your pumpkin finish - not strictly Halloween, but good for all of fall. Thanks for the finishing tips, too!

Shebafudge said...

What a gorgeous finish - congratulations. I love the fabric you chose to make it up with, it looks really effective.

Deborah said...

Love the pillow! The fabric is beautiful and perfect for the design.

Joanna said...

I love you little pumpkin pillow, and seeing it makes me realize that it is a nice time to begin making something for the autumn.

Debbie said...

Great job! Love the colors on your Autum pillow.

If you wouldn't mind, plese send some of the heat and we will send you some of the cooler temperatures and rain!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I've always wondered how much to stuff. I have one stuffed ornie in progress and it's seeming to be well stuff. I think I sewed it as you directed. I need to finish it up soon. It's good to see your finishes and hear your tips as it's very encouraging.

Catherine said...

Love your pillow finish!! That fabric is awesome!! It was hard to pick just one answer on your poll!! :)

P.J. said...

Absolutely love the argyle finish on the crow and pumpkin! Too cool.

Lainey said...

Love your finish Sharon, the fabric is just perfect!

Margaret said...

Love your pillow -- so cute! I've voted on your poll too. :D

gracie said...

Very nice...I like your choice of fabric too.

Myra said...

What a cute pillow! I love that finishing fabric - perfect.

katica said...

I love the way your pillow turned out! I just love the fabric you used for it!

It's lovely, and your corners are fantastic!

Lisa V said...

Gorgeous pillow finish Sharon.
Hugs
LISA V

Rita E in AZ said...

What a cute pillow! Your cross stitch border and the fabric choice are perfect choices.
Rita E in AZ

Faye said...

The fabric is PERFECT for this cute design....You couldn't have found any better.... And, yes, I voted because your giveaways rock!! Take care, Faye

Ellen said...

Beautiful pillow! I especially love the fabric!

Hugs,

P.J. said...

Love the argyle! Ready for fall weather.

Sue said...

The fabric you chose was absolutely perfect! It really finishes off your lovely stitching.

diamondc said...

I really like the material you picked it is so cute.
Nice finish.
Catherine
diamondc

Anonymous said...

So cute! The finishing fabric is just perfect.

Jan said...

The fabric you used is perfect. I love it!

Lynn said...

Ooh, I love this little taste of Fall! The fabric is adorable and looks fantastic with the stitching. Very cute!

Cole said...

LOVE the pillow finish, the fabric is awesome!!

Gabi said...

What a cute little pillow. Congrats on the finish.

Carol said...

What a cute fall finish, Sharon--love the fabric that you've finished the little pillow with. It's a perfect complement to your stitching!

I've heard about those horrid temperatures down your way--hope you get a break from the heat very soon!

Rachel said...

Your pillow is very cute! And looking at it makes me feel good, I am ready for a break in this heat! Bring on Autumn!! :)

Cross Stitch Queen said...

The pillow is lovely! I took part in the poll on your blog.

Giveaways are fun aren't they?

Have a great week!
CSQ

mdgtjulie said...

Very cute pillow Daffy. I love the little border you chose/made too. It looks great!!!

~*Sharee*~ said...

I would love to win this beautiful pillow..:) Fall is my favorite time of the year..

Hugs, Shar

Karen said...

Love the little pillow! Excellent finishing and fabric choice!

valerie said...

Cute finish! The fabric totally sets off that stitched border. Cute!

P. G. said...

Love this pillow! Awesome finish!

Pam

Stitching Noni said...

Hi Sharon! What a lovely finish... the fabric that you have used with the pumpkin is gorgeous - love the orange colour!

From what I have been reading a lot of you in the US have been suffering with the heat... down under it is winter (what winter we have here that is!) and we have had rain.. yippee at long last.... Hope your weather cools off soon..

Giveaways are great!

http://firefliescatsinthegarden.blogspot.com/

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

Great finish!! I am ready for Fall to get here!

Mouse said...

oooo I love your pillow and you have finished beautifully :) sometimes I take a thread out where I want the seam to be on all sides and use that as a guide line :) depends on the weave of the fabric as to whether I use iron on interfacing :) love mouse xxxxx

Christine said...

Your autumn pillow is adorable, and the fabric is just a perfect match. I've been sewing for years and never thought about using seperate seams to get sharp corners, I've always just pivotted at the corners. I'll have to give your method a try

Brigitte said...

Oh great, the first autumn stitches are appearing on the blogs. As we have been having cool and rainy weather for the last few weeks I already feel very autumn-ish myself, lol.
A geat little pillow!

Tatkis said...

Wonderful and very cosy autumn pillow!

Best wishes,
Tatyana

Bekca said...

I love this little finish! The fabric you chose is perfect for the design. I've registered my vote on your poll :)
Best wishes and happy stitching to you.

Unknown said...

Love your finish and the fabric is just lovely.

Susan said...

Great finish. The fabric is perfect!! Great tip about stitching the corners, will definitely keep that in mind.

Rike said...

Hi,
what a great finish! And the border and the fabric of the pillow are a perfect match!
Congratulation
Rike

Patty C. said...

Your pillow is wonderful - Great Finish !!!

Unknown said...

I love your little pillow and your corners are awesome!!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

That crow is just too cute! I love how the pillow turned out. I'm ready for cooler weather too.

Erica said...

What a lovely pillow! I think your sewing skills are pretty amazing. I have trouble sewing straight lines. :-)

What is it about that little crow that is *so* adorable? I'm not usually attracted to crows, but that one has got me. Must go hunt down that chart now.

I hope fall doesn't come too soon - it seems like it took *forever* for summer to get here - I'm not in any rush to see it go. But maybe I'm strange. :-)

Jenny said...

Your finishing skills look fantastic to me!
I love the fabric you picked - your pillow turned out adorable.

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Lovely finish:)

Annette said...

What a beautifull pillow!!
Love the colors!!!

Kay said...

Love your choice of fabric! The whole thing is adorable. Maybe it will be motivation to start some finishing of my own!

Joysze said...

Aww, this is darling. :D

Karen said...

So cute Sharon....thanks for the tips too!

Unknown said...

HI just in time for the fall season!!!! what a pretty pillow.us

Kerri said...

Congratulations on a lovely finish! With 8 straight days of 100+ weather I need fall to hurry up and get here.

I am putting that pattern on my wish list, it is so darn cute! Thanks for the inspiration!

Christine said...

Love love love the way you finished the pillow!

Joy said...

Great Job!!! That is such a cute finish. Love your choice of fabric.

Melanie said...

Love it! It totally rocks. :)

Anna van Schurman said...

Cute fabric!

Sandra said...

Love it!!! The border is perfect and that fabric is so unusual! Congrats.

I do most of the things you say, seems the "right way" to sew. I'm not an expert either but I've found it requires more common sense than skills...

Julie said...

Super pillow, the fabric is devine and it looks amazing. Thanks for the tip about seperate seams in the corners, will remember that when i next have the machine out

Sally said...

A beautiful finish. Thank you for the tips. I can never get my corners neat.

Pumpkin said...

Okay, that is THE perfect border with THE perfect fabric for the pillow. I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love this pillow. I wish I could sew too. I have a machine but I just havent learned yet

Carmen said...

i love both,the stitching design and the pillow fbric, al match so fine, perfect.

Meari said...

Your autumn pillow is cute-cute-cute!

Meari said...

P.S. I'm going to have to try the interfacing. I do everything else the same. Thanks for sharing!

Sun City Stitcher said...

I have fallen behind in my blog reading. I love your pillow!