Saturday, February 14, 2015

spring fling

We are in the final stages of our Pillow Swap Four Seasons (PS4S) found on flickr. It is a fantastic group of international ladies, avid sewers, and creative geniuses! I am so happy and proud to be a part of this group! We have great support, great feedback, loads of pictures of our progress and our creative process. If you are thinking about joining a pillow swap, or a swap in general, feel free to drop by, get inspired and see how a flickr swap works. We would love to have you come join us to in the next round - Summer 2015. Signs-up start March 2nd and last until the 12th, 2015. Partners will be assigned the following Monday. You can find out more information here.

I am still not allowed to say who my partner is, nor what her dislikes/likes color preferences are, but I am allowed to show you the finished pillow case. ;-)


This was a little challenging for me, because I didn't know what she would want as a final design and left some options open. I first made kites and sewed white fabric to the sides.


After I decided on the final design of kaleidoscopes or stars, I finished the nine blocks. The trouble started when I tried to sew the middle blocks together. The points weren't matching up! I ripped the seams about four times in the center to get things right, but the points still were matching up the way I wanted them too. And what do you do, when your points don't match up? Put a button over them! It's just a pillow right?? Those buttons are ACCENT BUTTONS! ;-) I did very simple outline quilting. I didn't want to over do it. I wanted the "roundness" of the octagon center to come out but not disturb the other blocks.

And if my partner doesn't like the front, she can always turn it over and look at the backside for a while.  I made the braid using my MINI Hex N More ruler!! YAY!! Can you find the zipper? I strategically placed it behind the insert.

And of course I had some extra time, so I made a few goodies using the same fabric. I bought just one charm pack from the series Bluebird Park from Kate & Birdie for Moda Fabrics. I bought extra yardage of the "linen look" and separately, the turquoise bird in trees as well as a panel.


And to be honest, I didn't know if my swap partner was going to be happy with the pattern I picked. So, I made a second pillow in different dimensions this time. I decided on the 16 x 24 inch travel pillow size. I made some cute little butterflies from the charms, worked on a general design, picked up my fabric panel, sliced it in half and came up with this:


So, I am very confident that my partner is going to like her little "care package" if only she likes the fabric!? I used up most of all the fabric that I bought for this project including the charm pack. I was really surprised how far it went. 


Now who could be the lucky recipient of this spring pillow swap? I don't know, but they should receive their package the beginning of March!

I really had so much fun with this pillow swap!! I can't wait until the next one for summer. Oh, the possibilities! Please stop by and check out ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL CREATIONS in the Pillow Swap Four Seasons flickr pool. And don't forget to sign up if your sewing schedule is free!

Thanks for stopping by!
Karen, Swap Mama

11 comments:

  1. Karen, they are both very beautiful!

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  2. Also wenn sie dieses Swap Paket nicht mag, weiß ich auch nicht. Du hast sehr schöne Kissen genäht!
    LG
    KATRIN W.

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  3. Wow! Your partner is sure to love this package - 2 fabulous pillows, and all those extras!

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  4. Oh Karen, das ist einfach unglaublich schön!!! Ich bin noch am Nähen und Du hast schon so ein Traumpaket fertig - Wahnsinn! Da wird sich jemand ganz arg freuen!!!

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  5. Your partner is certain to love each and every item not only because you poured your love and thoughts into it, but also because they are truly beautiful! That's one lucky partner!!

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  6. Wunderschöne Kissen, vor allem so sauber genäht und gequiltet.
    Liebe Grüßle,
    Sylvia

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  7. What a lucky partner indeed - she is sure to be thrilled with these lovely creations! I am smitten with that little butterfly pincushion, as well as the pillows. Wonderful!!!

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  8. Front, back and optional are really nice creations. Congrats.

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  9. Wow- Karen!! I am sure your partner will LOVE her very generous package!! Gorgeous!!
    I am finishing up my pillow- SO MANY hand stitches- but it is a labor of love!! Hoping my house warms up so I can feel my fingers to finish it this week!
    Thanks for hosting this!!

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  10. Super Karen! Dein Swap-Paket ist traumhaft! Da wird sich jemand ganz doll freuen!!
    GLG, Deborah

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  11. Oh, wow!
    Das sind so super schöne Kissen!!
    Da kann sich deine Swap Partnerin nur freuen.
    Der leinenoptik Stoff mit den blauen Vögeln ist umwerfend!
    Toll gemacht!

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