Monday, April 2, 2012


Altered Dresden

The unPillow 


I have this fat eighth collection that my friend Carol (mamacjt) shared with me just before I fled Wisconsin. 


Fat eighths make me think small project(s).  But there seems to be a lot more to a fat eighth than meets the eye.  A while back I made a couple of small projects with these and then decided to challenge myself to how many quiltie things I can make with the collection.  My flickr group of projects is here

I pulled out the predominantly pink pieces for this quiltie project.  I used my little Easy Dresden ruler to cut the wedges.  I stitched in a center circle and then satin stitched a spiral inside.


The spiral felt off centered (even though it wasn't), so I did a straight stitch following the spiral.  It still felt off.  Then the stitched-in center piece looked way less than perfect, so I cut and fused a ring to cover that ugly seam and it all came into a better perspective for me.  Plus I really like the way that light colored fabric ring looks.

 

I loved how this looked the entire time I worked on it. 


With the fixes to the center, it took on a whimsical look so I added a pink "stick".  I was SO happy with it.

Then I put the pillow form inside and my spirits took a spiraling dive!  It just doesn't look right as a pillow.  I hate that!


I think the design gets too distorted.  So, now what?  Well, I think maybe I'll try putting a thin foam piece inside and try it as a chair back cushion.  I'll just have to wait until it inspires me to know exactly what it should be.  But dang it all, I wanted it as a pillow!

There were some scraps left after cutting the wedges and the inside of the fabric ring was left as well.  I put them into the back.


This means I'm still on pillow #4.  So, I'll be back...

Annie

27 comments:

  1. I love it! LOVE! You So need to come to SoCal and teach me to sew...LOL..I was going to make a smart alec remark about how you could send it to me and I would be happy to love it...and then I went to the Flickr. Girl, you are SO talented. I love them all!

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  2. See....did you read the comment above???? Hello!!! I told you it probably wasn't as bad as you thought and I was RIGHT (like always!!) I think it's darling and I think the only reason you're not crazy about it is because it poofs out where you didn't expect it to poof out. Maybe put it away for a few weeks and look at it again with fresh eyes. I bet then it will look totally better to you!

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  3. I love your work, and have always done. This is beautiful as whatever you decide to use it for. So just you relax!

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  4. this looks lovely! I like the pillow but it's cuter as a flat wall hanging maybe, or the way you took the picture. don't get me wrong the pillow is still CUTE! keep it, you'll learn to love it!

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  5. very pretty I really like the colours

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  6. Aw, the pillow is just do darn cute! Are you totally convinced that you don't like it? May "live with it" for a bit before giving up on it! I think it's fantastic.

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  7. Oh, Annie, I love it as a pillow and as a wall hanging. I wish you could give me just a little tiny bit of your creativity! Your design gene is overflowing...love the Flickr pics. A fat eight really does go far!

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  8. I love it... your pillows have all been so creative.

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  9. I do love it but I can see what you mean about the design getting distorted by the shape. I love the whimsy design though!

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  10. I was going to say the same thing Bea said...that I like it just as it as a wall hanging.

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  11. Absolutely adorable. I think the dresden ruler will be my next Joann coupon purchase. And what is this about fleeing Wisconsin? That is my neighboring state and so pretty!

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  12. This is the best pillow that I have seen in a very long time. I love the colors, the fabrics and your wonderful whimsical design! Blissful!!!

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  13. It looks different "pillowed" than in its flat state, but different is not necessarily a bad thing. I love it both ways. It is truly beautiful. Embrace the pillowing Annie...embrace the pillowing...

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  14. wow this design is fabulous! a placemat will be great with it! imagine.. in the middle of your garden table... with a bottle of strawberries limonade... sunglass and a very good book in your hands... (Ok... maybe winter is to long for me... miss my flowers and tired of wearing coat!)
    nice day to you

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  15. The pillow form makes it look three dimensional maybe that's throwing you. I think it's fabulous either way. Where would you put the pillow? Put it there and move on if you don't like it in a week change it.

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  16. If you hadn't said anything I would have thought the pillow was fabulous and very unusual, but it does also look very good as a flat mini quilt with the flower flaunting itself. I love your idea of seeing how many things you can make with a small collection of fabrics.

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  17. As the bball guys would say, you hit a tri-fectah!! LOL Gorgeous fabrics and a fabulous pillow and a lovely, whimsical wallhanging. Chin up, girl, you are rocking those prints like nobody's business! Love it!

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  18. OOOH, just love this! It has a candy feeling ~ it's so sweet!

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  19. That is super cute! I love the little swirl you sewed in the middle too!

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  20. I totally love this pillow - and wish I could flee Wisconsin at times too :)

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  21. Adorable use of the fabric. Love the spiral...and the way you set if off-center.

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  22. That is so adorable...love the colors...

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  23. Oh wow I love this...sew darn unique

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  24. Hi Annie
    This pillow have you worked really wonderful - the colors are excellent, with the pattern. A great idea!
    Even your last works inspire me again.
    "Happy stiching" I wish you continued -
    because I'm the same - a few days - on vacation :-)
    ♥ڿڰۣ♥ಌڿڰۣ«ಌ♥ڿڰۣ«ಌ♥ڿڰۣ«ಌ
    See You
    ♥☼♥Barbara♥☼♥

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  25. What an amazing piece! The spiral center was inspired. Blessings, Marlene

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