Friday 9 November 2012

Paris Markets Pillow

I have just finished my pillow talk pillow and it has been packaged and posted along with some goodies to its mystery recipient.
I have enjoyed the journey on this pillow although taking pics in gloomy light has been tough so I have had to employ electric light and a little photo editing so you can the prints and colours.
I like to challenge myself in swaps like this one which are of such a ridiculously high standard and the construction was all about the inset seam: 8 in each block, 4 blocks and then 4 around the centre square so 36 in total.  I found the block in this 163 Patchwork (details in the link).
The Yuwa Paris map print was the inspiration for this pillow.  I don't know the name of this block but it reminded me of pathways.  I imagined my swap partner, French newspaper in hand, wandering the streets of Paris, starting in a central square...
and walking through shops and markets picking up treasures along the way, a little kitchenalia here, 
a decorative item pour la maison...
a coffee pot...
and of course, les boutons!
I kept the quilting light and simple, and used the indispensable fusible fleece, Vilene H640 which is a must for pillow making, it gives softness and structure and can cope with zips and binding without being too bulky.  I get through a lot of this stuff, I cannot recommend it more highly!

Straight-line quilting, vibrant Liberty Bloomsbury prints and an inset zip for the back.
Vintage diagonal check for the binding, the look of bias without none of the tricky cutting.  My swap partner has been a pleasure to sew for, easy preferences and lots of creative ideas.   Bringing together all those fabric scraps, new and old, gifts and swaps and weaving a narrative together has to be my favourite creative process.  This pillow is 20 x 20" and is winging its way to a new home!

sib blog

35 comments:

  1. I love the idea of a Paris ramble through your pillow, and the fussy cut details. It's lovely.

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  2. Wow! love. it. I must investigate into this swap, I've been meaning to for so long. All the pillows are always so perfect! x

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  3. my favorite fabrics, my favorite chocolate, and you are my favorite! love everything you make

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  4. It's absolutely stunning!
    P.S. I love that block...

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  5. There is genius in this pillow, in the placement of fabrics you have chosen, especially the central square and the newsprint and also in your central theme. How lovely!

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  6. It's just a masterpiece, Kerry! I don't know how you could part with it. I think I might need to join some swaps for the slim chance that I could score something this amazing!

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  7. It's gorgeous Kerry! I'm sure your partner will be delighted.

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  8. If your swap partner were to, oh I don't know, HATE it, I'd be more than willing to take it off your hands. I pretty much love everything about this pillow!

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  9. I am in love with your pillow. Gorgeous!!

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  10. your partner is going to pee her pants when she opens it up! pee her pants and cry her eyes out! it is lovely!!!!!

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  11. Hi Kerry! I love your the pillow you have made and your fabrics are amazing! Your design is really good using those lovely prints for your Paris-story! x Teje

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  12. Your pillow is amazing Kerry...I absolutely love everything about it!

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  13. oh it's so beautiful! All the little details are just amazing!

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  14. It's absolutely gorgeous and I hope my own Paris trip emulates it in every way!

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  15. What a fabulous pillow! The Parisian fabric is perfect! You will have one VERY happy partner!

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  16. Oh my! Well not 'my' obviously, but your partner will be blown away x

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  17. so cute!
    it looks like a stained glass window with the light behind it :)

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  18. It is gorgeous Kerry - hope it is flying my way : )

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  19. What a fabulous cushion, I love the way you put fabrics together and enjoyed reading thro' your different thought processes.
    The finished block made me think of the Monopoly board.

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  20. Oh this,is truly a stunner! Your partner is going to b bowled over!

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  21. So beautiful, like everything you make! Love it!

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  22. So awesome, amazing fabrics!

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  23. Amazing pillow design.
    You are a great artist.

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  24. Such a creative pillow and I love the narative that goes with it. Lucky partner.

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  25. Kerry this turned out beautifully. I love the image of the fabric in the window...you always do such amazing work...smiles..Renee

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  26. I haven't been one to jump on the wagon with all the texty fabrics.... but this pillow may have changed my mind! It is absolutely wonderful! Great job!

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  27. Absolutely fabulous fabric choices, as ever, and love the little story to go with it!

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  28. So very lovely...what a treasure this will be to the new owner!

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  29. Lovely pillow cover! I like your choice of fabrics! :-) Jolana

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  30. I am a Francophile, so if this does not land on my doorstep soon I can always visit it here on your blog. A lovely finish.
    ps...so that's what an inset zipper is supposed to look like. Mine failed!

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  31. Love this so much Kerry! Such a beautiful job, and I love all the little snippets in the fabric playing together.

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