A bit of weekend sewing | How About Orange

June 06, 2011

A bit of weekend sewing

Here's another little purse—same model as this one—made with some Outside Oslo scraps. My favorite part is the turquoise zipper, which you can't see very well in this picture.

These are just garden variety pillows. They have zippers, too, if that earns me any extra points? Maybe? (Real sewers just rolled their eyes, but I don't care. I'm comfortable with sewing mediocrity.) Speaking of real sewers, my mum is making me something else. Can't wait!

35 comments:

tifsong said...

these are lovely.
i've been dying to sew some couch pillows. but i don't even know where to start. squares. i realize they are just squares. but how many yards did it take to create those? seriously. i'm clueless.

love them.

Jessica Jones said...

Hey tifsong, I bet you could google for "envelope pillow sewing tutorial" and find something helpful. That's probably the easiest style to make. The directions will tell you how much fabric you'll need based on the size of your pillow form (the blank pillow insert you can buy at fabric stores, or you can always just re-cover something cheap and ugly). My fabric pieces were about 17" square, two pieces per pillow.

Emily said...

These look great! Guess I'm not a "real sewer" b/c I'm super impressed with your zippers. I'm still working up the courage/patience to try a zipper.

Jessica Jones said...

Emily, yeah, zippers sound scary but they're pretty easy. It's just sewing more straight lines. I learned how to put zippers on pillows in a class at The Needle Shop here in Chicago. And then I forgot again because I didn't sew anything for a long time. So I dug out a book and just followed the directions.

I have the older edition of this book, and it's very useful.

Jessica Jones said...

Also: thanks for giving me the zipper points. I will happily take those.

Kelli said...

I've been reading your blog for quite a while and thought it was time to tell you how much I like it! Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration and ideas! :) Oh and I can't sew at all so I think you're doing great!

Jessica Jones said...

Woo hoo! Thanks for the compliment!

Grandma G said...

Very NICE!! On all counts! I love your turquoise zipper, too! And yes, points for the pillow zippers. :)

Oh yeah... that "something else"... I guess I'd better get back to it... it's gonna be awhile....

Love you!
Mum

Tristin said...

I have your fabrics draped over my couch right now waiting to make pillows--I have Outside Oslo Tulip and Frond in Dawn... Can't wait!

Yours are inspiring and I am definitely impressed with the zipper thing. Shoot, I won't even pretend to be some sewing professional--I just do the best I can and pray that a "real" seamstress never looks closely at my work!

Andrea said...

Love the bags and pillows!

Blessings,
andrea

Sarah said...

Ahhh! The fabric is AMAZING. I LOVE it.
Good job sewing!

Bek said...

Count me among the impressed by zippers. For nearly a year I've been trying to work up the courage to sew a big cushion for our window seat. A rectangle. With a zipper. Rec. Tang. Le.

So, kudos!

Elaine said...

That Tulip - Dawn fabric is my fave!! I just virtual-drooled all over your gorgeous new pillow. Thankfully virtual-drool leaves no germs. Or stains. :)

Poppyprint said...

I worked on my Olso 241 Bag (by Noodlehead) this weekend, too! Just need to finish off some topstitching. It looks fab.

tinajo said...

How pretty - love the fabrics! :-)

Happy in red said...

Lovely lovely!
Esther.

Anonymous said...

I got a sewing machine for Christmas and I am terrified of it. I get it out, wind a few bobbins as I pump myself up to use it, then gingerly put it away and re-fold my fabric =/ I want some pillows!

Erin @ Brownie Bites said...

Real sewers, blahblah.. I'd be happy if I could make simple pillows like that! I just love your fabric prints!

melimba said...

Zippers totally earn you extra points! I've never been brave enough to do such a task!
I've been a long time reader and non-commenter, but I wanted to say CHEERS to you!
Love that new line of yours. It's absolutely darling.
best,
melis

Rachel said...

I found your blog three weeks ago and love it. All hail zippers. I still don't have the courage to do one but you have inspired me, maybe I will give it another shot.

Stacey said...

Okay, I'm totally inspired by this post! I'm new to the sewing world, but determined to learn how to tackle slipcovers, pillows, and now super sweet bags for me! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely LOVE the flower fabric on that pillow!!

Jessica Jones said...

Thank you! Music to a designer's ears.

JLR Designs said...

Very cute! I love the pattern contrast!

brie. said...

lovely - any chance for a pattern or tutorial for the bag?

xx

photographic backdrops said...

Zoomed the pic and I can see the turquoise zipper, it's beautiful! I also like the large floral design.

cursivearts said...

Beautiful pillows. I wish I could sew.

Becky said...

Love your fabrics1 Love your pocketbook and your pillows. I guess I'm a "real" seamstress cause people pay me but I did not roll my eyes at all. You done good.

Jessica Jones said...

Yay, an endorsement from a real sewer! Thanks, Becky. :)

Grandma G said...

HEY!!! I endorsed it, too!!!

Mum

Kaylyn said...

~ a sewer is a sewer ... we're all in progress.

I've been sewing for 43 years and am still taking on new challenges and still hating zippity zippers.

I only *hope* all my daughters and granddaughters appreciate my sewn gifts as much as you appreciate your Mum's. Kudos to you for that.

Jessica Jones said...

Kaylyn, I bet they love your gifts.

Mum, um yes, of course! But you're my mom, so it doesn't count. You're obligated to be proud of me. If I'd put that pillow together using a stapler, I bet you still would have said it was awesome. That's why I love you.

Kelly said...

These look really nice! I'm not a sewer though, but I guess I could ask my mom, she's really good at it.

Jessica said...

Yay for mediocre sewing! I'm with ya. The super lovely fabric makes up for the lack of super sewing skillz.

Jessica Jones said...

Great. That's what I'm hoping for!