More pillow talk
January 13, 2011
During pillow week, I cut three pillows that I didn't get around to making. The week before Christmas, I found myself with a free hour and got around to finishing them.
This is one half of a pair of small lumbar pillows for the ticking stripe chairs. I love this fabric, but I did not love fussy cutting it. I wish the pillows were a little longer (these arer 14" x 18"), but I was intent on using pillow forms I had on hand. The piping is a solid khaki color from scraps of the pillow below.
I needed something a little plainer with all the prints going on in the room, so I used this slubby khaki cotton for this 22" square pillow. I rooted around the studio to find a trim and the only one that was the right color and I had enough of was this green velvet. I edge stitched it onto the pillow front before I sewed it together. I am really happy with the way it turned out. The textural differences make the pillow more interesting. A wider ribbon would have been perfect, but this one does the job nicely.
Here's the couch in the family room with all the pillows. I didn't fluff or plump or straighten up for this, but you get the idea. To the left of the photo are the two ticking chairs with the red pillows. The dresden plate floor pillows sit on a shelf below the coffee table. The pillows on the couch get moved around a lot and look good together in any combination. I think it is all coming together nicely, but the room still needs some work, namely a rug, lamps and a big edit of some built in bookcases. Also, I'd love a new coffee table, but I am not sure that is in the budget right now. I do have an idea to hack the one I have - I just need to put that plan into action.
Spiffing up the family room made me realize just how easy and fast it is to revamp the house with things I already have. For the cost of a few yards of fabric, I have a much more pulled together room. I want to keep moving in this direction. I'd love 2011 to be the year I focus on my home. There are quite a few projects on my to-do list and I plan on knocking them off one-by-one. I'll keep you updated as I go along.
Your pillows are such a lovely mix of color and design. Do you find yours end up all over the floor or is my situation the result of having boys ages 8 and 5? :-)
Posted by: Suzanne | January 13, 2011 at 08:33 AM
I've enjoyed your pillow series. I like the mix on the couch. One day I realized that I could use the pillow forms I have and change the pillow covers for the seasons. I made fall pillow covers and red ones for Christmas that can last thru Valentines. Now all I have to store is pillow covers. I'm havng fun thinking of what the next color and fabric will be.
Posted by: Beth | January 13, 2011 at 08:37 AM
I covered my couch cushions I already have last year. Made a huge difference. I just adore all of your mismatched pillows together!
Posted by: Amy | January 13, 2011 at 08:37 AM
My head is focusing on the same goal this year, however I have a bit of a learning curve since I have only used my sewing machine once! I'm taking your zipper pillow tutorial and going to run with it though. Thanks for the inspiration, wish me luck!
Posted by: jenny | January 13, 2011 at 08:48 AM
nice work! As soon as the wood stove is in the den I'm doing a revamp in there. Wish hubs were not diametrically opposed to decorative pillows. Sigh. They do add so much. I just found four stacked up on top of the dryer, off of the plain jane sofa. sigh.
Posted by: melissa | January 13, 2011 at 09:11 AM
looking good, erin! every year is the year of the home for me because i never finish anything and constantly dream up new projects. i think i have a problem!!
Posted by: beki | January 13, 2011 at 09:34 AM
Wow, I really like the one with the green velvet trim. And, yes, the room is totally lookin good! It'd be fun to see you enter your favorite pillow into Blogger's Pillow Party (http://www.stitchedincolor.com/p/bloggers-pillow-party.html)
Posted by: Rachel at Stitched in Color | January 13, 2011 at 09:38 AM
It looks so great Erin. I love fix-ups around the house like this. Little effort, big impact!
Posted by: blair | January 13, 2011 at 09:59 AM
if i could just have my blog friends come over and help me with the bookcases, i'd really be in business!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | January 13, 2011 at 10:50 AM
i have the same problem!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | January 13, 2011 at 10:51 AM
you can do it! good luck!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | January 13, 2011 at 10:52 AM
mine end up on the floor, too. that's kids for you!
Posted by: Erin | house on hill road | January 13, 2011 at 10:52 AM
ooh, i love both of these! i totally need to do more pillows for the couch this year. need to get some more pillow forms first though. one step at a time...
Posted by: julia | January 13, 2011 at 11:05 AM
I have been trying to focus on the same thing. Last night I started pulling out fabrics for pillows for my couch, I have everything I need already here and lots of pillow forms. My list is getting longer and longer, but it just takes baby steps, right?
Posted by: Stephanie P | January 13, 2011 at 11:16 AM
It looks great! I love all of the prints together.
I need to finish the pillows I started and abandoned during pillow week. I need some pulling together around here too.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | January 13, 2011 at 12:33 PM
I love the first one and your goal to focus on your home this year. All the best.
Posted by: Beth | January 13, 2011 at 12:38 PM
mine too! Always!
Posted by: Sarah | January 13, 2011 at 04:41 PM
looks really lovely:)
Posted by: Sarah | January 13, 2011 at 04:41 PM
I used to have a ton of time to decorate my apartment, but out of necessity of work I have gone pretty much minimalist.
If my latest company takes off I hope to sell and get back into beautifying my home. Thanks for the tips.
Posted by: Jon Dixons | January 13, 2011 at 05:29 PM
I know what you mean about making 2011 the year of focusing on home. I just recently quit my job and am realizing *just how much* has fallen through the cracks in the past couple years.
On a side note. Pillows are so fun to make! I am also suffering this mini-addiction with you. :)
Posted by: Pepper Glenn | January 13, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Man, those green on white pillows serve to remind me what a huge impact a little graphic smack can have. Nice one.
Posted by: Molly | January 13, 2011 at 10:45 PM
Your velvet trim pillow is awesome! Love that your family room is on the second floor - like being in a tree house.
Posted by: larissa | January 13, 2011 at 11:02 PM
I love the color of your walls. What a beautiful green.
Erin, I just sent you an email. Hope the address is still the same.
Happy new year,
Abbie
Posted by: ellie and abbie | January 14, 2011 at 11:00 AM
I'm glad I'm in good company!
Posted by: Suzanne | January 15, 2011 at 08:23 AM
i love all those pillows! i have great ideas now how to dress up my own couch! and pillows are so easy and inexpensive...you can swap them in and out to change the feel of the room!
Posted by: kaet | January 26, 2011 at 06:57 AM