Yo-Yo's

What a cute idea for using up those scraps of fabric.  I love making yo-yo's and I just taught some kids this technique this week in class.  We were coming up with ideas on what to do with them and we did not think of a pillow.  Very creative!  Visit Sew, Mama Sew for more info....

no more ears

For those who make pillows....a trick that I have stumbled across and wish I would have used sooner.  Trimming the "ears" off of your pillows.  Here is what you do (and I will be updating these instructions for my class as well). 

Cut your pillow panels the same measurement as your insert.  So if you have a 18" by 18" pillow, cut 2 at 18" by 18"....no extra for seam allowance.  I have found that the inserts usually run smaller than stated and/or are fuller in the middle and not flat.

Then fold and press the panels in half and then quarters.  Measuring 1/2" down from raw edge, draw a line to the press mark in the center and trim.  This allows the pillow to look full and not pointy with ears.  I will be using this REALLY soon to cover some pillows that have mysteriously been adorned with popsicle stains.

picture not to scale....just trying to illustrate the cut lines

Little hedgehog and a mushroom....

I love this little hedgehog and mushroom embroidery design.  Pine Mountain Designs was a booth I stopped by at Quilt Market and they had the cutest embroidery designs incorporated into quilts, pillows, wall hangings... they were adorable.  This pattern is called Little Things.  I loved this little hedgehog so much, I had to sew him up into my new pillow sample at Sew to Speak.