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:

  1. tifsongJune 6, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    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.

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  2. Jessica JonesJune 6, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    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.

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  3. EmilyJune 6, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    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.

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  4. Jessica JonesJune 6, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    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.

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  5. Jessica JonesJune 6, 2011 at 5:14 PM

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

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  6. KelliJune 6, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    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!

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  7. Jessica JonesJune 6, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    Woo hoo! Thanks for the compliment!

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  8. Grandma GJune 6, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    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

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  9. TristinJune 6, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    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!

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  10. AndreaJune 6, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Love the bags and pillows!

    Blessings,
    andrea

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  11. SarahJune 6, 2011 at 7:45 PM

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

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  12. BekJune 6, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    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!

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  13. ElaineJune 6, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    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. :)

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  14. PoppyprintJune 7, 2011 at 12:24 AM

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

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  15. tinajoJune 7, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    How pretty - love the fabrics! :-)

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  16. Happy in redJune 7, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Lovely lovely!
    Esther.

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  17. AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    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!

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  18. Erin @ Brownie BitesJune 7, 2011 at 8:58 AM

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

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  19. melimbaJune 7, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    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

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  20. RachelJune 7, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    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.

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  21. StaceyJune 7, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    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!

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  22. AnonymousJune 7, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    I absolutely LOVE the flower fabric on that pillow!!

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  23. Jessica JonesJune 7, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Thank you! Music to a designer's ears.

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  24. JLR DesignsJune 7, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Very cute! I love the pattern contrast!

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  25. brie.June 8, 2011 at 6:13 AM

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

    xx

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  26. photographic backdropsJune 8, 2011 at 8:04 AM

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

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  27. cursiveartsJune 8, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Beautiful pillows. I wish I could sew.

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  28. BeckyJune 8, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    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.

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  29. Jessica JonesJune 8, 2011 at 5:56 PM

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

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  30. Grandma GJune 8, 2011 at 6:08 PM

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

    Mum

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  31. KaylynJune 8, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    ~ 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.

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  32. Jessica JonesJune 8, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    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.

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  33. KellyJune 13, 2011 at 3:36 AM

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

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  34. JessicaJune 15, 2011 at 5:06 PM

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

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  35. Jessica JonesJune 15, 2011 at 5:19 PM

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

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