NEST PILLOW

Out of the three projects described yesterday, I decided to make a NEST PILLOW first.  The first step is to put the design onto a word document.  You'll want to fit as much as you can onto the document - so think ahead to future projects.  This transfer paper (TAP) runs about $2.50 a sheet so you want to make the best use of every inch.  I got enough on my sheet to make 2 Nest Pillows, 2 crowns for the collage idea on the bird pillow, and 2 labels for identifying the Brown Thrasher.  

REMEMBER TO REVERSE YOUR LETTERS 

or it will iron on in reverse and you will have wasted a whole sheet.  

I know.  I've done it.  

Here's what I sent to my printer:

I know it's small, but I wanted to show how you can fit everything onto one sheet.  So - you get the idea . . .

I used a font called "The King and Queen".  I downloaded it free from here.  It's a great font - big and swirly, and a little funky, with great capital letters that have all sorts of big curls.  After it's printed out, cut the pieces you want to use really close to the design - and remember - it's been printed in reverse so it'll iron on correctly.  The closer you can get to just the design area when you cut, the less chance for any of the plain, unused transfer paper to show on your fabric - since the plain areas can have a bit of shine, especially if you're using a darker cloth.

 

After it's ironed on, then you put it together like any pillow - right sides together, sew about 5/8" all around leaving about a 5" opening on the bottom seam for stuffing.  After it's stuffed, just hand sew the opening closed.  Since I am filling this with fiberfill, instead of a pillow form, there's no need for a closure of any kind. 

 The nest and bird are from the Graphics Fairy.  You could scroll through her graphics for hours - it's never-ending!

I worked on about four other pillows which aren't sewn together yet - so those will be for another day.

But, here is just a little peek at another hare pillow.  After talking to my mom this afternoon (who is a great fan of hares in every shape and form) I knew she needed a European Hare Pillow of her own. I thought the burlap might be a little too nubby and casual for her home - so hers is on a very pale blue handkerchief linen.  

(If you'd rather have burlap, mom, I could make that!)

But, for now, it's getting late . . . and I'm tired.

Tomorrow's another day!

(It's also going to be a day for a bag with burlap roses!)

MAKE A FELTED ROSE AND NEST TOPPED PILLOW

The work of Ronel Jordaan, a textile designer from South Africa,

is so unique and beautiful.

But her pillows are soooo expensive (almost $200)!

So, I set out with my best friend and crafting companion, to

try to design our own "Ronel Jordaan style" pillow! We had as much fun

rounding up the supplies (off to Goodwill for 100% wool sweaters that we brought

home to wash and "felt") as we did making the pillow tops.

Just look for 100% wool in the colors you love, wash them in

hot water, and throw them in the dryer. Then cut them up as needed.

Then choose your colors of wool roving, purchase your felting needle tool (Joann Fabrics),

and you're ready to begin!

               

Using a felting tool, punch in a winding vine of wool roving onto a rectangle of felted wool.  Cut out some leaves from another color of felted wool.  We washed and dried some old wool sweaters to use for the roses and nest on the pillow.  Just cut out a circle from the wool, then cut it into a spiral.  Starting on the outside of the spiral, roll your felt around and around making a beautiful, textured rose.
We LOVE our finished products - our own version of a

textured, felted wool pillow top!

SAVINGS - $175
Frugal at its best!


I linked up with Saturday Soiree at A Little Lovely, Freckled Laundry, and Frugal Friday over at The Shabby Nest, for this one!