Custom Pillows

[MartySews2]

Ordinarily, I stick to sewing garments or an occasional item for our church. An acquaintance asked if I would make her some sofa pillows. I'm thinking sure that this is easy so I agreed. What she really wanted was some custom pillows complete with braid, cording and hidden zippers. She dropped off 4 down filled pillows and some yardage of fabric. There are 2 larger pillows that are 22 inches square and 2 smaller pillows that are 13.5 x 20.5 inches. I've never done custom pillows and had to learn how to do this. She claimed that she spent over $300 for fabric and supplies. The fabric for the larger pillows was about $52 per yard and she had around 3.5yds. It's a heron design and she wanted the birds centered. After studying on how to make custom pillows, I found the fabric was not quite enough to go over the very full and plush large pillows. I had to piece the sides. The smaller pillows are easy except for the very thick braid. I spent 3 weeks trying to get it to look seamless with lots of picking out stitches. Finally, I have 3 of the pillows finished and just have one more small one to do. Here are the front and back views of the large and small "pillows from hell".

Front view of larger pillow

pillow from hell.jpg (119.53 KB) Viewed 8866 times

Back view

pillow from hell back.jpg (124.62 KB) Viewed 8867 times

Small pillow front.jpg (73.49 KB) Viewed 8865 times

Small pillow back.jpg (69.56 KB) Viewed 8869 times

Marty

[sewingrandma]

You are a better person than me. I hate to make pillows and would never agree to make some no matter how long or well I knew someone. How can something so simple be so difficult and frustrating. I can never get the corners stuffed nicely and I just don't have the patience for putting cording so that it looks good. BTW, your pillows are very nice looking.

Marty, a knitting board that I visit has a member that is showing her machine embroidery skills and patterns and I think of you every time. Right now she is working on a nativity.

[MartySews2]

Brockie, that Nativity sounds interesting. When I give my word, I try to keep it and that is why I am doing the pillows to the best of my ability. Hopefully, I will have them finished tomorrow so she can pick them up.
Marty