Pillows, Pillows and an Apron

So, I've been MIA lately. Not that many people even read this, but my apologies still. November and December were't big sewing months for me, but I've managed to get a few things sewn this month so far. Just thought I'd share! There seems to be a plethora of pillow covers, but they do make nice gifts, and we've had some friends in the hospital as of late, and I think these are a nice thing to look at amongst all the hospital white.

These first two pics are all of travel size pillows and cases (one to use, one for the wash). The Amy Butler and other flower print are for the mother (and my friend) whose adult son is in the hospital battling cancer. The other two in the photo are for the patient himself (also our friend). He's a twenty-something guy, so I tried to keep it manly. The map print is one of my faves and the grey linen is just the perfect shade.

This set is for another friend at the hospital. She's such a beautiful person and these colors just reminded me of her. I only had a half yard of this Tula Pink "Fans" print, and I used almost every scrap of it for this gift. I think I need another few yards...I just love the colors. The mint green fabric is a light, airy cotton/linen blend from JoAnn's clearance rack a few summers back. It has pretty metallic gold threads running through it, adding just the right amount of sparkle:)

This is the card I made for the second set of pillows:

And the pillow and extra case, all wrapped up in a pretty little drawstring bag:

Our living room couch has been needing new pillow covers for a long time now. I finally got to them:

I talked about getting this Lou Lou Thi fabric back in June!! Yes, that is how long it takes me sometimes to get to a project...sad, I know. Here's the backs:

I admit they are exactly what our couch needed to spruce it up. They are both quilted on both sides, so they are essentially 4 mini quilts! They took a few days to finish. There is also cording around the perimeter and invisible zips for easy washing! So glad I finally got to them!

And the other day, when I was supposed to be sewing a skirt, I got inspired to make an apron instead. I love this AMH Little Folks Voile (it's even the incredibly HTF Dobby!!). Finally, after hoarding it for a couple of years, I've cut into it, and I'm glad I did. The fit on this apron is not perfect, but not bad for how quick it came together.

I do have some pics of a skirt I sewed in December, but I'll save those for another day! Have a wonderful day!

~Ruth

Candy-colored fabrics...

To say that I LOVE sewing, would be a mistake. While I do enjoy the creative process and even sewing itself, it's FABRIC that I have a true love for! The colors, the texture, the way it drapes, the ability to mold it into anything at all...it just boggles my mind!

I sometimes dream of having yards and yards of white linen. It would not stay white, of course! (at least not most of it!) I would dye lengths of it in rich, vibrant candy-colors, then neatly fold them and place each piece on the shelf to be admired, and eventually used (maybe!). Ahh, one can dream!

It has occurred to me though, that even if I am not able to procure a 20 yard bolt of white linen for myself, a more affordable option would be white muslin. Of course, not every project would be suited to thin muslin, but the candy-colors would shine brilliantly through this medium as well! (I can also envision lovely little girls skirts in swathes and layers of lovely muslin...or womens skirts...)

Am I alone in this dream? I think perhaps not! There is another blog I like to check in on I heart linen is it's name, and the author of the blog is someone who I can sympathize with on the whole loving linen thing!

So, muslin may have to be my "poor womans' linen" for now, but I can dream, can't I?