Sunday 25 September 2011

Retro Pillow Finished...

Machine quilting barely visible around flower centre and petals...

Yay!!! I've finished my Retro pillow.

When I signed up for the Retro Pillow Challenge, I had three aims:
  1. build up my sewing skills
  2. meet some new people
  3. have fun
Obvious machine quilting...


Our hosts for the challenge were Keren, from Sew La Vie! and Rikka, from Ricochet and Away! Pop on over to the Retro Pillow Challenge page to meet all the participants.

Machine quilting, machine embroidery, machine appliqué...


For the first time, I tried several new (to me) sewing techniques: hand appliqué, patchwork, machine embroidery and quilting. At the same time I improved my skills with techniques I had used before: machine  appliqué and hand stitching. I tried hand quilting, but with little success. That's a skill to learn on a new project. I love to learn new things and I certainly did that while making my pillow.


Hand stitching on two circles...

Most importantly, I had fun making my Flower Power pillow. I certainly achieved all three aims. To top it off, I'm very happy with how it turned out. Here's my finished pillow, in its new home; our guest room.




Previous Retro Pillow Challenge posts:




Pop on over to see all the pillows entered in the challenge...

40 comments:

  1. Sew It Sherry25 September 2011 at 20:28

    Pam, you have done an awesome job. I really love the purple against the dark background. It really looks fantastic :-)

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  2. Roslyn25 September 2011 at 21:17

    I love it! You have certainly nailed the brief in terms of retro with the flowers and the colours!

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  3. sascedar25 September 2011 at 23:02

    this pillow is super funky! what a great project to be involved in.

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  4. Ricochet26 September 2011 at 05:51

    This is lovely and fun. The closer you look, the more precious it becomes. I am so impressed with your dedication to details and your whole-hearted participation in this challenge. Bravo!

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  5. Unknown26 September 2011 at 06:32

    Awesome! I am very impressed that you used so many new techniques and you did excellent work. So many beautiful details!

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  6. corabeth26 September 2011 at 07:23

    New follower from Finding New Friends blog hop! Hoping you follow back!! =0)

    My Crazy Life

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  7. LakshmiRP26 September 2011 at 15:33

    It looks beautiful! So good! I still haven't started mine and hope to do it in a couple of days! fingers crossed!

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  8. Little Ladybird29 September 2011 at 06:40

    Wow, looks amazing! I like how each flower has its own unique detail, but they all tie in together to make one beautiful cushion.

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  9. ozsuzsanna3 October 2011 at 06:01

    Pam, the pillow is wonderful! I love the color, the pattern...I love every detail.
    gratulations

    suzy

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  10. Sandra Kaye3 October 2011 at 18:43

    Hello Pam, Welcome to blog land. You are going to love it. People are very kind and generous to each other. (as I have found) I'm new too, I've been blogging since July. I absolutely love your pillow. The colors are perfect. Come see me if you get a chance. Sandie

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  11. Starry3 October 2011 at 21:54

    Oh so pretty! I love the colours, I'm a lilac fan :)

    Starry
    (Small Blog Meet)

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  12. KellyS4 October 2011 at 02:20

    Love your pillow! Very cute! I love all the machine embroidery on it. You did a great job! Found you through Lily's Fresh Sewing Day!

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  13. Nicole @ Patchwork Duck Designs4 October 2011 at 13:17

    Found you from Lily's Quilts! Great pillow...keep up the blogging. :)

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  14. Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studio7 October 2011 at 05:24

    This pillow is super retro and I love all your embellishments. Thanks for adding it to Eat, Grow, Sew!

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  15. Jill10 October 2011 at 10:07

    That pillow is just beautiful Pam! Well done on all your hard work!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  16. Linda10 October 2011 at 10:51

    Hi Pam
    This pillow is gorgeous! Love the colors. I found you from Debbiedoos newbie list, I'm also a newbie.

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  17. Redfly Classroom10 October 2011 at 11:09

    Hi, I also found you from Debbiedoo's newbie list. Love the purple. Great work. You'll have to check out my site when you get a chance. http://redflycreations.blogspot.com

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  18. Gayle Page-Robak10 October 2011 at 13:12

    Hi Pam. I hope you meet all your aims. I love your retro pillow. TFS all your beautiful stitching and giving a mini tutorial on yur process. I have joined your followers list and extend an invite to you to join me as well. I also love to sew, btw. Also, I hope you will pick up my blog button when you visit. Enjoy your pillow til we meet again. Hugs, Gayle.
    http://atastefultouch.blogsot.com

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  19. Cecily10 October 2011 at 14:28

    Oh so pretty!

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  20. Mandi@MandiBeingCrafty10 October 2011 at 15:49

    I love the pillow! You did and awesome job!

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  21. Melanie10 October 2011 at 19:25

    I love your pillow! The purples are very pretty! I am now a follower. I would love it if you would check my blog out too!

    Melanie
    www.youmadethat.blogspot.com

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  22. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR11 October 2011 at 04:11

    Hi Pam! What a cute pillow you've made!! LOVE the colors!! I just saw your post over on Debbiedoo's newbie linkie party! I am a newbie, as well and your newest follower. I hope you will follow me, too! Many blessings to you!!

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  23. Melissa11 October 2011 at 06:18

    I just came over from Sew Happy Geek - I lour your pillow! It is so fun!!!

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  24. Anonymous12 October 2011 at 03:49

    Love the variety of fabrics and stitches!

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  25. Fran12 October 2011 at 04:55

    This is fab!

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  26. Kei12 October 2011 at 06:48

    Wow that is fantastic!

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  27. Tara @ Tales of a Trophy Wife13 October 2011 at 01:10

    I love it. It's retro but cool and modern too.

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  28. Anonymous13 October 2011 at 01:57

    This turned out so fun! I love it!

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  29. Lindsay13 October 2011 at 11:51

    What a fun, colorful pillow! I love how it turned out! Great job making it look so pretty! Thanks for sharing @ Show & Share!

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  30. Country Girl in the City13 October 2011 at 12:53

    This is so cute. my daughter would love the colors!

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  31. Ashley13 October 2011 at 13:13

    wow it turned out so cool! thanks for sharing:) i love it!!
    http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/

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  32. Q @ JAQS13 October 2011 at 16:16

    Love it- the details on it is FABULOUS!

    I would love if you can link it up to my weekly party @ http://www.jaqsstudio.com/2011/10/made-by-me-2-and-last-weeks-link.htmlQ

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  33. Bron15 October 2011 at 00:44

    I love that fantastic pattern and my favourite colour.

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  34. Katie15 October 2011 at 01:58

    I love this pillow! I want one! I would love for you to and share with Blog Stalking Thursday Link Party! http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-stalking-thursday-11.html

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  35. Mindie Hilton15 October 2011 at 02:20

    Very nice pillow. I would love for you to share your tallents at my weekly linky party. Fri-monday come sturt your stuff, anything goes.
    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

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  36. Unknown16 October 2011 at 05:53

    Wow, I totally love it! You did a fantastic job! The colors and the design are so appealing. It's obvious you put a lot of work and time into it. I'd love for you to link it here:

    http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/welcome-to-week-6-of-falling-for-crafts.html

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  37. creativejewishmom/sara21 October 2011 at 07:17

    love your pillow and so happy you stopped by to share it on Craft Schooling Sunday! all the best!

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  38. Shanea 6 November 2011 at 10:39

    Great pillow...the colors and detail are perfect. Thanks for sharing :)

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  39. Host12 April 2012 at 10:30

    Absolutely love this pillow!!!

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  40. ChrisW Designs29 May 2013 at 10:17

    Oh I LOVE this pillow Pam! Great job!!
    Christine
    ChrisW Designs

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