Pet Pillow

Hello lovelies,

It's been a while! I haven't even participated in the tuesday's tallies from the One a day group, shame on me. Things are a bit busy here in Rotterdam. And I have been working on my stripy blanket and my flower tablerunner, but the progress is not of much interest to show yet. Don't worry, once it is significantly increasing in size I will share it with you! 

In the meanwhile, I have been doing a nice little sewing project. I am not a great sewer, so it is a really easy one to do, an envelope pillow. It's been on my to do list for some time now and it is finally done! 

I did this pillow with a rather boring fabric, but it matches my sofa perfectly. To pimp it up a bit, I added an image of the lovely little Puck the Jack Russel - Dachshund that you probably know very well by now. 

No zippers or buttons, which makes this a perfect beginner project! 

If you are wondering how to get a pillow with your pet on it, here is how I did it. 

1. I first measured my pillow, it was 45 x 45 cm's. 

2. I cut two pieces of fabric, one 48 x 48 cm's and one of 48 x 58 cm's. I just added 3 centimeters on each side and for the second piece I added another 10 centimers. You can use the 3 and 10 centimeters for any size of pillow. So measure your pillow, add 3 cm's (about 1 inch) to each side and another 10 centimeter (about 4 inches) to the second piece. 

3. Now cut the larger piece (48 x 58 cm) in half. 

4. Stitch the edges of the two halves. These two parts will overlap which will give the pillow an envelope shape. 

5. Stitch all the parts together (wrong side inside)

To make things a bit more clear, watch this clip on youtube. It's been such a help and is very clear and easy to understand. 

I added a picture to my pillow, this is also rather easy. I used a picture of Puck and turned in a black and white picture in photoshop. It needs to be a picture with a light background, otherwise the effect will be a bit messy. I used this picture:

And then turned it into this:

If your a bit familiar with photoshop you can do it yourself, just boost the contrast and then use the Stamp tool (it's under filter).

I printed the picture on transfer paper and ironed it on the front piece of the pillow before sewing it togeter. 

And that's it! I made it in one night while Mr. L. was watching soccer haha. 

Enjoy your day!

Hairy sewing project

Hello lovelies,

After a period of silence here in the city I return to you with a sewing project. My sewing machine was starting to collect dust and thus it was time to start using it again! And what better than a project with a purpose, namely keeping the doggy of the couch by making a dog pillow he could not resist!

 Every time he snuggles on the couch dreaming of other dogs and treats, leaving a huge amount of spiky hairs on the creamy sofa. Mostly when Mr. L. and I are not around and when we return, he looks at us with the biggest puppy eyes trying to say: “It wasn’t me” . Puck gave those exact same eyes when I put the pillow on the ground and he instantly claimed it. “Ooooh please master, can I please have it?”

 Well, I guess he likes it pretty bad haha. And the best thing is that I made it from left over fabric with little stars and some felt and wool for embroidery. It didn’t cost a dime. If you also have a dog claiming the couch here some directions of how to make it:

1. Get two pieces of fabric
2. Cut two pieces of 80 x 60 cm's, these will be the top and the bottom of the pillow.
3. Cut two pieces of 60 x 20 cm's and two pieces of 80 x 20 cm's in the other colour fabric.
4. Put the embroidery on the top. In my case I did my dog's name in cross stitches and a felt bone filled with a little stuffing. 
5. First pin and sew all the sides to the top of the pillow.
6. Now pin and sew all the sides together to form some kind of container. 
7. Pin the bottom of the pillow and sew all the sides except for one. 
8. Turn the pillow inside out.
9. Fill the pillow with what ever stuffing you like. Mine is filled with polyester stuffing. 
10. Close the pillow, you can also add a zipper but I choose not to.

As you can see, I used a embroidery hoop. I found it very helpful. I also ironed the fabric before using it. I think it turned out a bit messy in the corners (they don't precisely line up), but fortunately Puck couldn't care less. 

Have a nice weekend, lots of love from Puck and me.

xxx

Little brother

Ik heb een naaimachine! Hij werd bezorgt en gretig door mij uit de handen van de bezorger getrokken. Even zette ik de doos op tafel om er alleen maar naar te kijken. Wat zal ik maken...een tas, pannenlappen, een tafelkleed, zoveel mogelijkheden!



Uiteindelijk had ik nog even mijn reddende alwetende engel nodig, mijn moeder. Zij legde me haarfijn uit hoe ik dat gevaarte aan de praat moest krijgen.

Dol enthousiast begon ik na lang googlen aan mijn eerste projectje: een hoes voor mijn brother naaimachien. Simpel en snel klaar. Ik meette de naaimachien, knipte drie lapjes stof en begon geheel tegen mijn moeders adviezen in te naaien. Niets gespeld, niets afgetekend, gewoon uit de losse pols. Het resultaat is dan ook niet helemaal netjes recht, maar ik ben al heel tevreden en little bro staat er wel mooi stofvrij bij.