Thursday, August 23, 2012

Nursery Versery Pillow

When I first saw Heather Ross' new fabric line, Nursery Versery, I immediately fell in love with it (which usually goes without saying, when it comes to her fabric), but I didn't need to buy it - I'm trying to be better about buying fabric, and only buying what I absolutely need.  Trying being the key word.

But when I heard about the Nursery Versery contest that Rachel over at Stitched in Color is hosting, I finally had needed to buy it!

As far as which print to pick - it was a hard one.  I love "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", but currently, I'm singing a lot of "This Little Piggy" to Tucker, who's 6 months old, because I can't resist his little laugh at the "Wee wee wee" part.  It's just too cute.  So I went with those little pigs and the patchwork print in the yellow and gray colorway, and made this pillow.


I fussy cut each pig, and made two strips out of them along with this gold linen blend I found at Joann's, in kind of a wonky, improv style.


For the middle section, I used Yarn-Dyed Essex Linen in Black, and quilted "This little piggy..." and just left it at that.  I thought I would quilt more all over the pillow, but I liked it just the way it was.


For the back, I used both prints, and put in a hidden zipper.



I have to give a huge shout out to my mom for this pillow even happening!  Along with trying to be better about not buying fabric, I'm also trying to really stick to my "must-do" list...and it's a long one!  I'm still new at this three-kids thing, and I'm finding that my sewing time is not that often.  I cut the fabric on Monday, started piecing it on Tuesday (but only got one of those piggy strips done), and finished the whole thing yesterday, while my mom was here, watching the kids.  I could not have done it without her!

I was so proud of actually finishing something quickly and before a deadline (the contest ends this Sunday)!  You know that high you get?  Well, right after I stuffed the pillow form into the cover, I showed it to my oldest daughter, Kendall.  And that's when I felt like I got punched right in the gut.  I was explaining that the fabrics used in the pillow were designed after the nursery rhyme, and I started saying it to her while pointing to the pigs.  I said, "This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed....oh."  I realized that I put one of the pigs in the wrong order.  Not once, but twice!  I kinda felt like that last little piggy.


To say I was disappointed is an understatement!  However, Kendall assured me that it was still really beautiful, my husband said it could be a statement on post-modernism (he was being funny), and my dear friend Melissa encouraged me to use this as an example to my girls (who are showing an interest in sewing) that mistakes happen, and it's okay!  Isn't she wise?

So, I'm okay with this mistake!  At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Hope over to Rachel's blog to see the other entries in this contest!

10 comments:

  1. I love how you showcased each piggy, even if they aren't in the right order. You are right, mistakes happen! And you know what? I sort of like the idea of your little ones having to search for the right piggy!! By the way, I love how you machine embroidered the words in that sketchy style. I've tried it before with little success, yours looks so so nice!

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  2. this is really adorable! i love the layout and the stitching!

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  3. This is just perfectly darling, Kelly! Showing our kids that mistakes are part of life is a great thing to do for them -- you have a success on your hands. Such a sweet, sweet pillow!

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  4. Nice! I love the stitching, and with everyone's "Nursery Versery" stories, I find it so interesting how everyone is falling in love with a different print :) Really shows there's something for everyone.

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  5. How cute!! Love the added words. :) Great job.

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  6. Great fabric choices to compliment the Nursery Versery prints. They make the piggies stand out and it becomes a great little cushion for story telling.

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  7. I had a similar "error" pointed out by my daughter when I was using these prints for the contest. She caught it very early in the process though and convinced me to change it but I too am constantly explaining to her that it is my little (and not so little) mistakes that make the projects mine. I love your pillow - especially the embroidery.

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  8. The improved pieced piggies are my favorite part of your beautifully designed pillow! It will always remind you of this time of your life and singing "this little piggy" to your son! I sew like you; cut one night, do a little here and a little there. I finished my nursery versery project during nap time but thanks to my husband I was able to snap some pics, upload, write a blog post and link while he made dinner, fed the kids, and got them in the tub!! Thank goodness to have some help sometimes!!

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  9. I love the pillow! I think you used really cool fabrics, great colors, and the center section is just brilliant!
    I totally think you should win. :)

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  10. That's my favorite use of the piggy fabric so far. Choosing just 3 finalists is going to be so hard! I particularly like the way you scattered the pigs and the word quilting.

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