It's still October and already I've made my parents a Christmas pillow. It's a tradition in my family that my sisters and I compete for the best Christmas card sent to my parents and last year I upped the ante by sending a Christmas pillow instead. And I've decided to do the same again this year with this Stars and Baubles Christmas Pillow.
The pillow is made using Oakshott Lipari shot cottons which are shot with black and so have lovely rich jewel tones, perfect for Christmas projects. I've mixed them with a few regular quilting cottons because the mix of Oakshotts and quilting cottons gives extra depth because of the contrasting textures. I foundation paper pieced the stars and a pattern will be following for this pillow for anyone who wants to have a go.
I used the Sizzix 1" circles die to make light work of cutting 32 perfect circles which were fused on with Steam-a-Seam. Credit where credit is due, the idea for the circles around the stars was taken from the dresden quilt Katy I'm a Ginger Monkey made for the Modern Quilts book. You can see it on the right hand side of the book cover and you can see that she added circles around her dresdens and I thought I'd do the same to the stars in this pillow. Have you started on any Christmas projects this year? And is this year going to be the year of handmade gifts in your house?
The pillow is made using Oakshott Lipari shot cottons which are shot with black and so have lovely rich jewel tones, perfect for Christmas projects. I've mixed them with a few regular quilting cottons because the mix of Oakshotts and quilting cottons gives extra depth because of the contrasting textures. I foundation paper pieced the stars and a pattern will be following for this pillow for anyone who wants to have a go.
I used the Sizzix 1" circles die to make light work of cutting 32 perfect circles which were fused on with Steam-a-Seam. Credit where credit is due, the idea for the circles around the stars was taken from the dresden quilt Katy I'm a Ginger Monkey made for the Modern Quilts book. You can see it on the right hand side of the book cover and you can see that she added circles around her dresdens and I thought I'd do the same to the stars in this pillow. Have you started on any Christmas projects this year? And is this year going to be the year of handmade gifts in your house?
That's a great looking pillow. I always make lots of Christmas gifts. But then I worry the recipients won't like them, so I buy something in addition. It's not exactly a money-saver...
ReplyDeleteFabulous cushion Lynne! You're bound to win!
ReplyDeleteBTW do you have a copy of this book? it's showing at £1,152.03 at Amazon!!! there was me thinking I'd put it on my wishlist!!
Hi Lynne! I really like the Christmas pillow you made for your parent :) The circles around the star look great...good inspiration from Katy. Isn't it fun to build off of each others work. I really enjoy making handmade gifts to give as gifts, however, I've learned that not everyone enjoys receiving them. That makes me sad because to me it has been a way to show love...not everyone seems to see it that way. Regardless, I do have some specials in my life who do like handmade so Hooray for them, and yes, they will be receiving handmade for Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteI love the fabrics you have combined and the pattern is lovely! And you are certainly a keener, I wonder what you sister will come up with.
ReplyDeleteCool, way cool - love it and I'm sure your parents will to
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and such a good idea,love the colours you have used.Love Jill xx
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!!! Looks like the sizzix is worth it just for circles!
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous. Although without some sort of machine like sizzix I'd not be attempting little circles! I have also started Christmas sewing with making my Mum a quilt. Which I managed to do when she was away so there was no chance of her seeing and WIP
ReplyDeleteyou win! hands down! love it!
ReplyDeleteSuperb - even if the book is way out of my budget ;)
ReplyDeleteNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
ReplyDeleteHow on earth can i possibly beat that??????
Damn where is my hidden talent???
That is truly a beautiful pillow - yum!!!
ReplyDeleteWho knew such a lovely pillow would send your sister in such a tailspin....hmm, maybe that was half the joy in making it.
ReplyDeleteI guess your sister didn't take to macramé *wink*
ReplyDeleteYour cushion is gorgeous, I love everything about it and think you're going to win again this year!
I still haven't started the Christmas quilt (for me) that I promised myself I'd finally start making in July (two years after starting to collect fabric)...I guess I'm not going to have it to snuggle under on Christmas Eve and will have to content myself with admiring the fabric, again!
Great cushion! I have several projects in hand for Xmas, several of them left over from last year ;-)
ReplyDeleteCushion is fabulous, shines bright!, nope not even considered the 'c' word yet!
ReplyDeleteLooks great. I am thinking of using my Oakshotts for a holiday project but am having a really hard time cutting into this stack! I want just the right idea first and a couple of things are floating around in my head--soon, I promise.
ReplyDeleteYour pillow is so pretty. I'm sure your parents will love it. Handmade Christmas this year with me? Maybe but not too sure since my work schedule this year hasn't been very good to have time to make things.
ReplyDeleteI've got two quilts started for Christmas but this is going to be a slower handmade year. Last year was a little insane… three quilts, a cowl, four fabric scarves, a set of makeup bags and pillow fight weapons. I was beyond busy so I managed to add in more stuff than I could handle and somehow it all got finished with a few days to spare. What's that saying? "If you want something done, give it to a busy woman."
ReplyDeleteYour pillow is beautiful! I have started 5 quilty Christmas presents - 1 is finished! Here's hoping!
ReplyDeleteThat is one seriously nice cushion! Lucky parents.
ReplyDeleteGreat pattern, well wrought! I may have to give this a try...
ReplyDeleteJust Gorgeous..
ReplyDeleteTotally wonderful xmas pillow, lovely gift idea.
ReplyDeleteYour pillow is great. Yesterday it was stinking hot ( in Australia ) and it had a real Christmas feel to it. Not long now.
ReplyDeleteA good opportunity to use the lemoyne star ruler!! Saves paper....!!,
ReplyDeleteOooh I love it! Reeeeeally love it... the circles, are they fused then stitched or just fused? They look so good.
ReplyDeleteLove love love th cushion
ReplyDeleteWas also very curious about the book to put on my Amazom wish list. Not sure who will buy me a copy as its price at £1152.03!!!!!!
Chris x
Outstanding Christmas Card!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I would love to give this a try with some of my Oakshotts. I've been thinking about buying the Accuquilt circle diecut--this probably clinched my decision.
ReplyDeleteLove the effect of the liparis, I'm sure you'll win the Christmas comp again ;o)
ReplyDeleteLove this! I'm sure you'll win again!
ReplyDelete