Daybed Pillow Shams

     I finished another project! I hope I can get them all completed before Christmas. I selected a chocolate brown linen fabric and pre-washed the fabric. I cut out the correct size fabric and pinned the hems and pieces together. I did the same edge detail as I did on the sofa pillows. I didn't iron the fabric, so the pillows would look casual. The long pillow inserts came with the bed when my grandmother purchased it. I sewed the all the pieces together and slipped the inserts in. They turned out well.

Plastic File Cabinet Cover

I finished another sewing project! We have an "office" in our living room with a plastic file cabinet next to the desk and the printer/scanner on top of the file cabinet. It is not a pretty site. I decided we need to cover this eyesore, but it still needed to be accessible. Wisteria, at one time carried, a burlap or linen cover that fit over a cart that housed a "liquor cabinet" underneath. The back and sides were sewn together, but the front was not sewn down and you could access the bar. This is the concept I needed to apply to my project. I used the same natural linen I used on the sofa pillows. I first washed the fabric and did not iron it. Then I cut my pattern and pinned the all hems and pieces together. I used one long piece for the sides and top and sewed the back panel on and then the front panel on. The front panel is only attached at the top and not the sides. I added a button to the front top of the cover and a loop on the front inside top of the cover. This technique is used on camping tent windows to keep the window cover rolled down. When we need to access the files, we can roll up the front panel and attach the loop to the button to keep it in place. I added these natural color ties to the top and bottom of each side of the front panel to keep the side gaps closed. I saved these ties when they bound the West Elm rug that we ordered last year. I knew I could use them for something eventually. I think the project turned out pretty well, nothing professional, but it definitely upgraded the living room office!

Sofa throw pillows

This past weekend I finally got around to one of my sewing projects I have had on the back burner for the past year. I sewed three natural linen throw pillows for our living room sofas. We have a two-seater sofa and a three-seater sofa. First, I washed and dried my grandparents old feather pillows in the washing machine and dryer.  Second, I washed and dried the cream and the natural linen fabrics to prevent shrinking if washed later. I didn't iron the fabrics, I wanted to keep it slightly wrinkled and casual looking. Then, I sewed three new pillow cases in a basic cream fabric. I cut open my grandparents old pillows and stuffed the feathers in the three new cases I made and hand sewed the stuffing opening closed to create three pillow inserts. Despite trying not to make a mess, feather were inevitably everywhere! Next, I made three natural linen pillow cases with an envelope opening in the back to slide the pillow inserts into. I think the natural linen pillows go nicely with the brown and aqua throw pillows I bought on Etsy last year.