Pillow talk!

 

I'm so excited to present my next project for Fabri-Quilt's blog ... Inspired by Fabric ... my pillow that I'm calling Mirror Mirror. I was sent fabric from the Fashionista line to work with ... all red and black and gray and white ... favorites!! You can download the directions at Inspired by Fabric .

I have to admit ... when the fabric first arrived, I had a hard time thinking about what to do with it. Bags seem so over done ... I didn't need another wall hanging ... but gee ... I sure do love pillows! When the mirror idea bounced into my head, I pulled out a little sketch pad and drew out a rough idea. I'm no artist! But generally once I 'see' something in my head, I can get it out into some tangible form.

Once I had that figured out, I drew the dimensions on jumbo graph paper ... then chose where everything should go. I knew I wanted the faces in the mirror because that's what we'd see if we were looking into one. It's all very literal for me! I liked the contrast of the red and the lipstick fabric ... all the rest dropped into place from there and I was off to slice and dice and sew!

The lipstick fabric was directional so when I cut my quarter-square triangles, I put them together like this. If you haven't sewn triangles like this very often, you sew the the two short sides first, press to the dark, then sew them into a square. I like to trim off dog ears as I go. Pin the triangles together before you head to the sewing machine in order to keep them in the right position. It's too easy to get mixed up.

Don't worry if you don't feel comfortable about blanket stitching your mirror in place ... either by machine or hand. I'm a big fan of raw edges showing and I love to stitch with random rows of straight stitching around the edge. I sort of wish I'd done one more row. I love how they criss cross over each other. Lengthen your stitches a bit. And because I'm lazy ... I left on my 1/4" foot!!

I'm not great at machine quilting either but you don't need to be an expert! I like to use the left edge of my presser foot and run it along the seam. When I did the section around the mirror, I did three rows of stitching around the outer seam ... then I began to echo the mirror. It was fun!!

Fold the bulk of the pillow top into a neat bundle while you quilt ... it will be smoother and easier to work with it that way. See how my presser foot is following along the previous row of stitching?

I love to look at the back! I used Aurifil thread to stitch and quilt ... they have a light gray 50 wt variegated thread that was perfect for on top of the shoe fabric! Great for piecing with, too.

To save on confusion for when you're doing the pillow back ... this is the first piece of the pillow back ... the second piece will have the raw edges aligning to the left and covering the first section. I like having a lot of turn under for my pillows ... it keeps them from gapping and showing the pillow form inside. Nice and neat!

Ok ... are you ready to sew? Head over to Fabri-Quilt's blog to download the pattern. And ... they're giving away a prize for some lucky winner! Follow these directions to enter the contest.

1. For one entry, become a follower of Fabri-Quilt's blog (see "Join This Site" on the righthand sidebar) or sign up to follow the blog by email (right sidebar). Leave a comment letting me know that you're a follower, and just for fun tell me which Fashionista print is your favorite. 

*If you already follow the Fabri-Quilt blog, great! Just let me know in your comment.

2. For a second entry, "like" Fabri-Quilt on Facebook. Leave a separate comment letting me know. 

*If you already have, just let me know.

You have until Thursday, March 21 at 11:59 to leave a comment.

I'd love to know what you think of Mirror Mirror, too. Good luck and happy quilting!!

Comments

[pam]

Super fun!

[Lauren aka Giddy99]

I already follow Fabri-Quilt's blog!

[Lauren aka Giddy99]

I like Fabri-Quilt on Facebook; thanks for the chance!

[Melisa]

Very creative use of the fabric collection...love it!

[Lisa Marie]

I already follow the Fabri-Quilt blog and my favorite print is the shoes! Your pillow is so clever and original -- love it! One of my best quilting buddies is a fashionista, as is my young niece so I would love these fabrics to make gifts for them.

[Gill]

I already follow the Fabri-Quilt blog!
I love the fabric with the faces!

[Bobbi]

OMG! How adorable!

[Julie B]

I already follow the Fabri-Quilt blog "Inspired by Fabric". I love the shoe fabric.

[Julie B]

I am following Fabri-Quilt on Facebook. The mirror using the face fabric was very creative.

[rosa]

Super cool!
I already follow the Fabri-Quilt blog and the shoes is my favorite print.Thanks

[Claudia]

I followed the Fabri-Quilt blog to your blog. But, sorry, I don't Facebook.

[Claudia]

PS. I'll take the red fabric. Love red.

[Marjorie nath]

I already follow the Fabric-Quilt Blog. I really like the faces, but I just love the shoes.

[Marjorie nath]

I already like Fabri-Quilt on Facebook.

[Mary]

I love your cushion! I'm a follower of Fabri-Quilt already. My fave fabric in this line is the lipsticks--too cute!

[Mary]

I like Fabri-Quilt on FB!