If you asked anyone they would tell you I’m not very crafty, but I like pretending that I am. For some reason I have become obsessed with a few crafty things recently. I love making things for myself instead of buying them. I now make my own (and give outas presents) throw pillows, sugar scrubs, and button bracelets. But for now, we are going to talk about throw pillows.
When I got a sewing machine for my birthday last year, I wanted to sew everything…except I couldn’t sew. Dilemma! Luckily my Aunt is the biggest crafty person I know. She has like a billion dollar sewing machine that can pretty much make Faberge eggs and the statue David, dangly bits and all. She came down for a few weeks and taught me the basics of sewing and how to use The Devil, what I call my sewing machine.
One of the first things my Aunt showed me was how to read and use a Sewing Pattern. Those little Mofos can suck it! If my Aunt wasn’t there I would not have been able to figure out these pages and paper to save my life. I am not going to go into detail, at least not now, but you pretty much follow the instructions and cut out shapes in your chosen material with the lined tissue paper provided, and sew that crap together, somehow, before your blow a gasket from the frustration. I chose the try the bow pillow (bottom right, gray pillow in image below):
I obviously chose different material. I love black and pink together, so I went with a polka dot, black and white pillow with a pink bow. And let me just say, it only came out good because of my Aunt.
And that’s the story of the first throw pillow I ever sewed. Even though I like to complain about Sewing Patterns, I think they are a great way to learn how to sew more complicated designs. All you need to know is some basic sewing lingo and actually understand what the lingo is referring to. I might go over some sewing basics if you guys are interested. I am still very new to this stuff, but I love learning and making mistakes. It’s part of the fun.
Do you like to sew? What things do you sew?
Have you ever used a Sewing Pattern? How did it go?
Join us!
Bookworm Brandee
Your pillow is absolutely lovely, Jennifer! I love black and hot pink together, too. It’s nice you have your aunt to mentor you. I’m sure she enjoyed it! I am a utilitarian sewer. 🙂 I sew when I need to or if I have something specific I want. The last time I used a pattern was when my older daughter was in 2nd grade and I made her an Egyptian ‘dress’ for a school project. I may have lost some hair in the process. 😉
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yes, thank you for validating the stressfulness of patterns!!! lol
Lekeisha
That pillow is so cute! I’m not a crafty person. I haven’t really done any major crafting since high school. I loved to do cross stitch patterns.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Cross stitching sounds fun!
tonyalee
Oh, I love this!!! I love the pink with the polka dots, too!
I know how to sew, but I am not very good at it. I will stick to my beading!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I just love how the pattern came out. I could polka dot all day!!!
Joann Downie
Congrats! That is sooo cute- very happy for you!!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
hehe, thanks.
kindlemom1
Okay seriously adorable! I think you did a fabulous job with it!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
awww, thank you!
Kristin (Book Sniffers Anonymous)
Fake it til ya make it! That’s me all the way. I’m not crafty either but every once in a while I try. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes I end up supergluing my hand to a wine glass. LoL
That throw pillow is AMAZING! I can’t believe you made that. It looks like something you’d buy in a boutique store. Super cute. I bought a few clothes patterns on one of my “I can do it!” whims and then realized it might as well have been written in Japanese. I apparently need to borrow your aunt because she’s clearly a sewing guru who can work miracles. I’ve had my sewing machine for 10 years and I still can’t figure the thing out.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
LOL, sewing machines are so freaking tricky. I got lucky with my Aunt. I still have to call her for sewing crises.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Also, how can you complain about gluing a wine glass to your hand? That sounds like a dream come true to me. lol
Melissa (Books and Things)
LOVE this pillow! So pretty! Once you learn the basics, you can go onto pdf patterns. So much nicer since you can print out the pieces you want and multiple times if something happens to it (just make sure it is printing accurately… there is often a square to measure to make sure). Can’t wait to see what else you make. This rocks!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Oooh, PDF patterns. How did I not know about this?
Nathan
Black and pink do go well together. With a little guidance from your aunt you will soon have that hang of the sewing machine known as The Devil 🙂 Years ago I made a large yellow pillow for my old cat Clyde. I made it entirely by hand, but he didn’t like it, not enough support. But the other cat we had at the time loved it.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Cats are so fickle. I bet the pillow was awesome.
Christy LoveOfBooks
How cute! Yay for aunts who can sew. lol. I enjoy sewing, but haven’t done it in awhile. I used to make scrunchies and pillows when I was like 11 or so. Then I took sewing in high school and started making clothes. My friend’s mom would help me out on the more difficult patterns. I loved making dresses and shorts. I’m tall, so it was nice making stuff that fit longer and not up my crotch. Though that’s the style now. -sigh-
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
OMG, it’s like I never knew you until now. lol. That is so cool. Clothes are hard!!!
Braine
So pretty! Does it come with a zipper so you wan wash it? The pillows I often see, the cover won’t come off. After a while it gets icky! Anyway, if love to learn how to sew my own clothes. And yeah, patters suck balls!
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
No, this on it closed up with washable stuffing. But I am all about making covers now. Easier to wash.
Olivia Roach
What do you mean you like pretending to be crafty? That throw pillow is crafty and made perfectly! I love it and would want one of my own :3
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
hehe, thanks.
ShootingStarsMag
Aw, such a cute throw pillow. That’s great you had your aunt show you how to read the patterns and start off sewing. I sewed some things when I was younger for girl scouts but I was never that great and usually needed a bit of help. haha I did sew a skirt once though so that was kind of exciting!
-Lauren
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Clothes are the hardest to sew so that is very cool!
Jaclyn Canada
That’s such a cute pillow! I’m a fan of those colors together as well. I also really like the textured pattern you chose for the pink bow. So your Aunt rocks! You did a great job. The only thing I’ve ever sewn was a teddy bear in Homemaking in the 9th grade. I believe it was all by hand too. I don’t remember having a pattern, but I’m sure I used one. Sewing is one of those skills that I’d love to have, especially when making costumes for Zane for Halloween, but was never one I picked up on.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
I tried sewing a costume for Halloween. Disaster. lol Do you still have the teddy bear?
Jaclyn Canada
Oh I remember, I think it was a doll and you went Donatello instead. No, I’m not sure whatever became of that teddy bear.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yup, lol
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
That’s so cute! And how awesome your auntie came down to help you learn 🙂 I don’t sew but I enjoy needle crafts 😀 One of my aunts is like yours and can make freaking anything. Has a sewing room even.
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Damn sewing rooms and all their glory. My aunt’s sewing room is so nice I get jealous.