Farm House Pillowcases

In the middle of a lot of orders from last week, I took some time to make these farm house style pillowcases. Atleast, that's what they make me think of:  a farm house out in the country filled with vintage goods and burlap and these pretty pillowcases stacked on each bed, in all different colors and patterns. 

I found the calico fabrics and pompom trim at Joanns. I used a standard pillowcase I already had on hand and used it as the template. I cut the fabric and sewed the hem one of the ends. Then, I took matching embroidery floss and hand embroidered the pompoms to the pillowcase. Last, I folded the case, right sides together and sewed the unfinished edges. Turn it right side out and I was done. Not very complicated, but I must warn you, for pillowcases, the fabric and trim isn't cheap. It takes a yard of fabric for each case. You'll only have about 5" left on the end to use for another project.

Well, I'm off to finish some work around here! I'll be back soon with another project that has to do with picture frames...

Happy making!

Pam

Busy Bee

Well, I have been a busy little bee around here. I've been working on my Southern Artisan Page, which you should check out because it is full of some of the best southern artisans in the South. I have been filling orders from my Etsy shop, most of them custom. I love custom work because my customers have the coolest ideas! Most of their ideas become permanent in my shop, too. I just got a request for a burlap pillow with a chevron pattern on it from my wonderful client, Cassidy. I was up for making something new with burlap. I drew out a chevron pattern on card stock and cut it out. Then, I took some fabric paint and stenciled the pattern onto the burlap and well, it turned out lovely! So, I cut more pillow covers and made a baby blue one and then, since my creativity was sparked, i saw a roll of painters tape and used that to stencil some big polka dots on a pillow cover in lime green.

So, needless to say, I love how they look and am so thankful for my customers and their creative, decorating energy!

Here's a look at how they turned out :

I'd love to hear what you think! Oh, and any creative ideas are encouraged. 

Another tip, you can use cookie cutters as stencils, too!

Happy making, y'all!

Pam

I'm linked up at these awesome blogs. You will find some really pretty inspiring projects:

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Dollar Store Rag Rug Pillow Covers

I am so excited about these pillow covers! They are super chic, simple to make for all levels of sewing, and really, really affordable. These pillows cost me only $1 each to make!

All you have to do to make these is:

 fold them like an envelope, with right sides together.
Sew up each side.
Turn right side out.
Hand sew a button or two where you would like and you're done!

Until then, I wanted to share the pics I took of them. 

They are rag rugs from the Dollar store and I have always loved the texture of these rugs. I knew I wanted to make something with them, but wasn't sure what. Then, as I held them and really checked them out, I knew the people around me must have been thinking I was crazy hanging out with the dollar rugs for what seemed like forever! I kept folding them  to see how they looked as pillows. I was pulling on them to see if they stretched too much. It all looked good, so I grabbed a couple and headed home full of anticipation. You know that giddy feeling, when you get some bright idea for a craft and get your supplies and can't wait to get home to make it! You know you know. Okay, maybe, I'm the only one who gets that way, but I doubt it.

What's nice is these look pretty from both sides. This is the plain side, sans button. I like the simplicity of it. The textures and colors of the recycled knits make this pillow cover stunning.

I also like the detail of the fringe ends of the rugs.

I just used buttons I had in my stash.

I will be selling  these in my shop, too. 

Also, Thanks to Taradaramadeit.com for featuring me on her site last week and 

congratulations to ERIN at howtonestforless.com for winning one of my wood art signs!

P.S. I am entering this project in Not Just a Housewife's Best DIY Project of 2011 contest! Check it out: