Monday 30 July 2012

Petal Pocket Pillow...


This month I've joined in the 2 in 1 Sewing Challenge, hosted by Rikka, from Ricochet and Away. The theme of this challenge, is to sew something that can be transformed into a new look or a new item.

I've made a cushion that doubles up as storage space for a few teddies, toys or special treasures. Take the toys out of the fully lined, quilted pocket and you have a comfortable cushion.


To make my cushion, I've used the Pillow Pocket and Petal Pocket pattern by Nova, from A Cuppa and a Catch Up. I purchased the pattern last year, with the intention of making both versions included in the pattern for Christmas. Needless to say, the cushions weren't made for Christmas as intended, but I did actually start on this one. Once I could see I didn't have enough time, I packed the pieces away and thought... maybe next Christmas.

As soon as Rikka announced the 2 in 1 Sewing Challenge, the Pocket Pillow sprang to mind. Even so, I left it till the last week to begin. I think I work better under pressure and with a deadline to meet. 


First up was to make the petals and sew them to the cushion. I sewed the petals by machine and then hand appliquéd them to the front of the cushion. The pattern gives instructions to appliqué by both hand or machine.

Next up was the pocket. All smooth sailing to begin with. As you can see, I've machine quilted the front of the pocket using straight lines. Again, I hand appliquéd the finished pocket to the cushion. 

As the pocket would see a fair amount of wear and tear, I thought I'd better machine stitch as well. I did this with the batting and backing fabric attached. This took my Bernina to the limit!!! At one point, I couldn't even turn the handwheel by hand. I was already using a denim needle, but changed to a new one. The new needle allowed me to sew the pocket on, but the machine struggled. The pattern quite clearly stated to trim the batting in the pocket to reduce bulk. I did trim it, but not close to the seam. My machine was sewing through three layers of batting, plus fabric!!! Next time, I'll trim as the pattern said. I could also sew the pocket to the cushion front, before attaching the cushion batting and backing fabric.


Time to make a mini quilt with the front of the cushion. Having finishing my first quilt earlier this month, I was keen to try some more quilting, but on a much smaller scale. First I did a row of hand stitching, a simple running stitch, just outside the petals. Following the line of the hand stitching, I did rows of quilting, using the walking foot on my machine. I love the effect this creates!!!

The cushion has a simple envelope closure on the back. I've used the same mauve fabric as on the pocket, but I didn't quilt it. I just used two thicknesses of fabric.

Last step was to attach the binding. It's not the conventional way, but I've sandwiched the cushion between the binding and have done a decorative stitch to sew all layers together.

I'm thrilled with how my cushion has turned out!!! I'm tempted to keep it and not give it as a present. This would have to be one of my favourite projects!!!

Once my cushion was finished, the first thing that sprang to mind, was the rhyme, Ten in the Bed...

There were ten in the bed and the little one said,
Roll over, roll over.
So they all rolled over and one fell out.

There were nine in the bed and the little one said,
Roll over, roll over.
So they all rolled over and one fell out.

and so on until there are none in the bed.

Well, perhaps this little bed isn't big enough for ten, but I'm sure we'll squeeze five in the bed and have lots of fun having the toys fall out.

I just grabbed toys and a book from the shelf for the purposes of taking photos. As I was taking photos, I thought I must tell you about the book in case you haven't come across it. Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge, one of our favourites, is written by Australian author, Mem Fox, and has been published in Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and French. In fact, we love all of Mem's books!!!

If you are looking for literature related activities to share with your children, check out Integrating Literature and Cooking, based on another Mem Fox book; Possum Magic. And just in time for the Olympics, Koala Lou Scavenger Hunt, based on another of Mem's books.

In case you're wondering, I'm not being paid to endorse Mem's books. It's just the teacher in me. Instilling a love of reading in your children is one of the most important things you can do.

When this cushion makes its way to its new home, there will be a book tucked away inside the pocket.

2-in-1 Challenge Homepage

This is my sixth challenge with Rikka. Not long after I began blogging, I entered my first online sewing challenge with Rikka and Keren, from Ricochet and Away and Sew la Vie! I created a Retro Flower Power Pillow.





Do the colours look familiar? Yes, I've used some of the same fabric for this challenge. I had no idea what I was doing and bought so much fabric, that I still have lots of mauves and purples left... LOL!!!

I'm aiming to make the boy version of the Pocket Pillow before Christmas this year.

Thanks, Rikka, for hosting yet another fun challenge!!! I'm looking forward to the next one.

I'm linking my Petal Pocket Pillow up to our Pillows and Cushions link party.

... Pam



Edited to add:  Voting has begun for the 2 in 1 Challenge, so head on over and vote for your favourite project.

52 comments:

  1. Wow Pam, I can see why this is your favourite project. I would find it hard to part with too. We have that book too, it's a great one!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, I think you have outdone yourself! I know the little recipient (as I won't let you keep it, lol) is going to love it! And as well as it being a little pocket to hold toys and books I think there are going to be some letters left in there to be opened and read in the morning :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh...this is so adorable! Beautiful quilting work and love those cute prints on the petals!! She's a lucky girl and I'm sure she'll cherish it for a very long time... =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Awesome! I love all of the little details.

    Mrs. Delightful
    www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pam it looks great!! How funny that we both ended up doing pillows again!:) Great minds and all that@ I love the pocket, what a great idea for all the little stuffies.:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. The pocket pillow is FABULOUS! And your stitching lines are perfect. Well done, Pam.:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. looks great, Pam and the pocket is so fun!! i think I might have to make something like this for my boys. I can imagine the fun they'd have with it. I love that rhyme!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Супер! я в восторге!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That looks fantastic and very clever. I only just learned about Rikka and her challenges and then I read your post. Isn't it funny how things go like that sometimes?!?! Cheers, Karen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Pam, just started following your blog recently. This is adorable I must say. I have a little girl across the street that would just love this. Thanks for a great pillow, also liked the bluejeans boxes. I will have to check out Rikka...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. Rikka runs a new challenge every 2nd month. Definitely worth checking out.

      Delete
  11. LOVE your pocket pillow! Such an awesome idea. Definitely going to remember this when I'm trying to come up with kids Christmas gifts this year. Thanks for sharing at Etcetorize this week!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Its lovely . I love all shades of purple so i feel your lucky to have so many lavender on your stash!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gorgeous cushion Pam - and the perfect entry to this month's challenge!


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

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love this cushion Pam. It looks fantastic and the colours and fabrics go so perfectly together!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your cushion is gorgeous Pam, good luck in the challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is gorgeous, it looks so bright and I love that really lush purple.
    Crafty Chic

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! This is seriously too stinking adorable! I just love it! Hope you stop by and share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2012/07/pink-hippo-party-89.html
    Oh and I am your newest follower.. happy 600!
    xoxo
    Amie @ Pinkapotamus

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow! What a cute pillow Pam, I just love it! Thanks for sharing.
    Quilting at the River Linky Party Tuesday

    ReplyDelete
  19. SEW clever! A fantastic job on details as well. Some little girl is going to put that to good use. enJOYed!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your pillow is just too cute! I love the design and the colors. The recipient of the pillow and the book is so lucky!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love both the pocket pillow and the retro pillow! Too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gorgeous pillows, I think an adult Mom version for a good book and iPod would be perfect for me! I should make one for myself!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Pam this is so adorable!! Oh my goodness I love the texture from the seams all lined up. And your hand stitching is just impeccable! This is truly fabulous!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh my gosh I love it! I love the quilting and the petals, and I love the second pillow as well! Thanks so much for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a great idea, and you have used such lovely fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is so lovely, I can't believe I missed your post, I came over from a blog party! I can't leave comments on blogs that have embedded comments, I can only reply to someone else's comment!

      Delete
  26. What a great idea! And it's super cute too! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. how cute is that? love the pocket for a favorite toy or something.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi,
    I came here through rikka's blog. Your work is awesome. Stitches look so perfect.

    Best wishes

    ReplyDelete
  29. A fun idea for a little girl!

    Noreen
    http://craftyjournal.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow Pam.... That's just gorgeous! I love the little pocket, and the petals and well, everything!!! hehehe.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love this!! SO stinking cute. And so much work went into making it, well done! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Gorgeous cushion & what a great idea :)
    x

    ReplyDelete
  33. That's the sweetest idea and you did such a beautiful job! The details are perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Gorgeous!....and your stitching is PERFECT! lovely love3ly blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for linking up to last week's Tuesday Confessional link party. You've been featured so head on over and check it out! I hope to see you at tomorrow's Tuesday Confessional.
    http://www.craftyconfessions.com/2012/08/tuesday-confessional-features.html
    ~Macy

    ReplyDelete
  36. It's party time over at Debt Free Mommy Blog! Please come by and link up your spaces with Making Space Mondays link party #10. I hope to see you there at www.debtfreemommyblog.blogspot.com! -Tabitha

    ReplyDelete
  37. Love the Pillows. So many curved edges....that had to be difficult. Great work.

    ReplyDelete
  38. So gorgeous! I LOVE your quilting :) Thanks so much for the lovely feedback about my pattern x

    ReplyDelete
  39. What an amazingly PERFECT pillow!! I love the colors, the stitching, EVERYTHING about it!

    Thanks for sharing @'Sew Cute Tuesday. I'll be featuring you tomorrow, so be sure to stop by and grab a 'featured' button!

    ReplyDelete
  40. The reverse applique and quilting on your pillow are lovely Pam!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Great project Pam, and so well done! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thats so cute.........Thanks for linking up @ CountryMommaCooks link and greet party.....hope to see you again tomorrow : )

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you or sharing at last weeks craft, create and inspire linky party

    Yo are featured this week !!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your pillow is sooo adorable! You do such good work...
    Great detailing...

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a lovely idea!
    http://www.lighttrigger.net/2012/08/diy-almofada.html

    ReplyDelete
  46. My daughter has petal pillow too-made by her godmother. I love your version. Just beautiful. We have her favourite bedtime bear in it but now I'm off to stuff more toys in it so we can sing 'ten in the bed'. 'Sleepy bears' is our favourite of Mem story...along with Possum Magic, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Loads of significant data can be taken from your article about a dozing pad. I'm happy that you have conferred exceptional information to us, It is a productive article for us. Grateful to you for sharing an article like this.Hybrid Foam Mattress

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! I love reading your comments and try to reply to all of them via email. If you don't receive an email reply from me, check back here.