Thursday, August 24, 2017

A Whole Month!

 I cannot believe a whole month has passed since I posted! I have not been ill or dealing with a family crisis or anything that would explain my absence; it is only back to school time which leaves me super busy at work and exhausted and unmotivated when I get home. 

My football quilt is still under construction. I have not gotten my quilt back from the quilter I took over at the beginning of June. I am almost done with a door banner from my classroom, but I dropped everything last night to make one of my favorite school secretaries a reading pillow. She has taken a promotion to central office and will be leaving the school she has pretty much run for 19 years! She loves to read, so a reading pillow made a lot of sense. Plus, I could stock the pocket with essentials for her new job--vodka, chocolate, and a book to help her escape reality as needed. I parted with some of Bonnie and Camille stash.  I used this free tutorial I found on Pinterest:

The tutorial is really frugal with the fabric--it only takes three fat quarters for an 18 inch square pillow. The tutorial also uses piping on the perimeter of the pillow and I did sew it with the piping at first, but I don't have a piping foot for my machine and I kept catching it in my seams. I was not willing to rip it all out especially after I tried sew it correctly multiple times and batting too. With my deadline of today looming at 8:00pm last night, I just sewed a wider seam and hid the messy piping. Of course no one but me and you guys will know, it is not how it was supposed to be. Who cares? I got it done in time for today's surprise party and she loved it. Plus, next time I will save the $2+ and not buy any piping at all!
I think the back is as cute as the front! This was a different take on the envelope backing and used much less fabric--just  a fat quarter with a 2.5 inch strip from the front fabric. The ribbon tie and handle added a whimsical touch. If I had not appliquéd the "L" on the pocket, I would have just given her the vodka, chocolate, and book and kept it for myself! This will definitely be a tutorial and project I will make again---maybe next time for myself!

I hope to get my sewing mojo back and get some more things posted soon!

15 comments:

  1. That is darling. I would love to see a tutorial when you have time--but I understand about the start of the school year, so no pressure!

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  2. Sweet gift! Great to see you're back!! Missed you!!

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  3. Love the reading pillow, it is a beautiful gift.

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  4. What a lovely gift. Hope you can find some time to make one for yourself soon.

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  5. What a lovely gift. Hope you can find some time to make one for yourself soon.

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  6. That is so cute, Tanya, and such a perfect gift! I'm going to go check out thr tutorial for a birthday gift for a friend. Hope school is starting off smoothly for you. I know exactly how you're feeling!

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  7. Tanya your gifts are always so creative and thoughtful...this one topping the list! ENjoy your new year.

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  8. Embrace the natural flow of creativity!! This time of year is very hard. There's a lot going on. You will be sewing like crazy once winter comes.

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  9. Wonderful Tanya, and I might just have to make this pillow to go with the quilt I have planned for a former accountant secretary from my school where I used to teach. She's a very dear friend and FINALLY retired (she's only 58 lol) in June, so she is experiencing her first few days of freedom when she'd normally be back organizing for us teachers (they start Thursday I think--what do I know? I don't have to know anymore woo hoo). :-) Thanks for linking up to my DrEAMi!

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  10. What a lovely gift! And secret, hidden piping, too! I've read that book myself!

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  11. What a fantastic gift! Love how this turned out and cute fabrics too. Nice goodies in side the pocket too!

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  12. This is a gorgeous gift. Very thoughtful of you.
    I remember how crazy the start of the school year always seems to be. Hope it settles soon for you and you can return to your stitching.

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  13. It turned out beautifully! What a great idea and of course she loved it :)

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  14. It's a fabulous gift - any reader would love that pillow!

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  15. What a great gift. It was a very thoughtful gift. Thanks for linking up with TGIFF.

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