Here’s the thing about sewing. You can decide to make a pattern, buy the fabric, and have a finished object all in one day.
It’s a pillow/mini-ottoman!
While knitting will always be my first love, I have to admit that sewing is beginning to be a serious competitor for my affections. Yesterday I went fabric shopping with my sewing sensei Tricia and saw the Gum Drop Pillow pattern by Amy Butler. On a bit of an impulse I decided to make it…that day.
This is a great pattern and didn’t take too long–I love Amy Butler’s pattern instructions. Very intuitive and clear. Making the pillow was interesting and fun–the only part I would prefer to not do again was stuffing the pillow. If anyone has any tips on how to stuff a pillow evenly please feel free to share them with me. Stuffing took forEVER. It is not stuffed perfectly but in the end I just had to call it close enough.
Side View
I promise there is knitting going on too. All in all, January was a very crafty start to 2009. As for sewing, I have enough fabric to make 4 pairs of lounge pants, one skirt, and a kimono robe. Making stuff is fun.
let’s clarify that when you say “You” in the 2nd sentence, that you really do in fact mean YOU…YOU, Erin, creator extraordinairre.
LOVE IT.
Make me one, will you?
You’re totally a seamstress! I LOVE that pillow. I MUST buy a sewing maching and get working
. Nope, must master knitting first.
VERY cute. I wonder how it would look in some extra skull and crossbones fabric I have….
I totally understand what you’re saying. I love knitting ~ but sewing can feel lik instant gratification when it comes to finishing an object in far less time.
Amy Butler fabrics and patterns are the best. Your pillow looks amazing!
great job on the pillow!! I love Amy B.’s patterns too! Glad you enjoyed that one!
yay! so glad you are sewing! what a great looking pillow! love it!
If you can find the stuffing that’s made out of little pellets instead of big clumps, it will change your life.
That said, your pillow looks awesome! I always eye these and think maybe sometime I’ll make a few.
You must be so thrilled with that pillow. It’s darling!
Amy Butler is awesome! I made that pillow for my younger daughter – I actually used it as a sewing lesson for the older daughter because the instructions are so clear. I can’t seem to tear myself away from the knitting and spinning for long, though…
i need to make this too! thanks for sharing! i’m always wishing i had an ottoman.
love the fabric choice!
So darling! And it’s even in some of my fav colors . . . just saying. You’re amazing. Have a fabulous week!
What?! What?! A whole new project? Erin, I can’t believe that you just sewed some furniture. And the craziest part is that I had no idea it was coming. It is so fab. Can’t wait to see it, oh, next week!
I love those gumdrop pillows too! Isn’t sewing infectious? Btw, your lounge pants inspired me to draft my own lounge pant pattern. Now I just have to find the perfect fabric (it’s got to be the right shade of ocean blue in a soft cotton) and get sewing!
You are amazing. No words for the amount of craftiness you have in you.
How fun! I love this!
What a great pillow! I envy your sewing skills. You must be making all sorts of great things for your apartment!
That is awesome! I need to get my sewing mojo back.
I know, whenever I sew an article of clothing I marvel at how much faster it is to make when you don’t have to make the material too
the pillow looks great!
What a fun pillow! I really want to learn how to sew.
That is great!! Too cute, and scary how inspirational you are.
You crafty, crafty lady. So cute!
I miss you like crazy, btw.
Making stuff is *so* much fun! Great pillow, its truly fantastic. Love the fabric that you picked out, srsly if I ever walk into a fabric store that carries Amy Butler’s fabric I will fall down hard.
I don’t know if this tip will help with the gumdrop pillows shape, but it will work on square or rectangular pillows. Use some quilt batting and cut two pieces to the size of the pillow. Line the inside of the pillow with the batting, one on the top and the other on the bottom. Stuff the fiberfill in between. There will be no of those annoying lumps!
I hate to stuff pillows too, it looks like your pillow is nice and even.
I like sewing for its ‘instant gratification’ as well. Cute pillow! I was wondering about your thoughts on how comfortable it is to use as a pillow as well as mini-ottoman?
Love it! Your mother must be so proud! Who knew you had all this craftiness inside? I can’t wait to see the lounge pants, skirt and kimono robe!
i have been wanting to make a gumdrop pillow for a long time. my kids would love them, too!
yours looks fantastic!
maybe the push i needed.
I feel the same way, sewing could edge out knitting if I allowed it to. Love the pillow – looks so cute! and easy
Good job on the ottoman! Love the fabrics.
I love the fabric. I like how sewing is much quicker than knitting. Super cute!
I am going to recycle denim jeans with this pattern, suggestion in stuffing to use some sort of bean bag filling? Stuffing material makes all the difference! Enjoy…