Ever need to break free and just have a fun sewing session?
Well, this is exactly what my little playground pin cushion was all about for
me! A fun, no hassle, give things a trim and just go with my gut kind of a
sewing session.
It all started back in the fall of 2016 when I designed my
Playtime quilt.
I had some little Playground fabric scraps left over that just kept calling my name. They were so
cute and so irresistible I just had to stick them up. There was absolutely no
plan. I just grabbed my little scraps and started sewing them in pairs. Then I
sewed the pairs together. I thought they needed a little frame, and so I added
the top and bottom strips. It was simple. It was carefree. And it made me
ridiculously happy!
Playtime quilt.
I had some little Playground fabric scraps left over that just kept calling my name. They were so
cute and so irresistible I just had to stick them up. There was absolutely no
plan. I just grabbed my little scraps and started sewing them in pairs. Then I
sewed the pairs together. I thought they needed a little frame, and so I added
the top and bottom strips. It was simple. It was carefree. And it made me
ridiculously happy!
I added it to my design wall and that’s where my little
patchwork sat for…months. I would look at it and think “oh, such a cutie! What
am I going to do with you?”. Yes, I talk to my blocks! Don’t tell me I’m the
only one?! 😉
patchwork sat for…months. I would look at it and think “oh, such a cutie! What
am I going to do with you?”. Yes, I talk to my blocks! Don’t tell me I’m the
only one?! 😉
I couldn’t fathom how I was going to use her up. Would I
create more just like her? Or add her into some sort of larger scrappy quilt? Or even use her as a quilt label? Gah – the possibilities!
create more just like her? Or add her into some sort of larger scrappy quilt? Or even use her as a quilt label? Gah – the possibilities!
And then, last week in the midst of lots of pattern testing,
I just needed some fun sewing. I needed to break out of all the quilting math
and precise instructions and just let loose – quilting style.
I just needed some fun sewing. I needed to break out of all the quilting math
and precise instructions and just let loose – quilting style.
The little patchwork caught my eye and had me wanting to
create a project that would just focus on her simplicity; on the sheer joy that
little block was giving me. That’s how this little pin cushion got started!
create a project that would just focus on her simplicity; on the sheer joy that
little block was giving me. That’s how this little pin cushion got started!
I decided to add some texture and detail with little big stitch hand quilting detail using 12wt Aurifil thread in the colour Pale Pink #2410.
On the back side, I stitched together some linen scraps and
added some more big stitch hand quilting details there too, using 12wt Aurifil
thread in the colour Pale Pink #2410 on the beige linen and DMC pearl cotton thread #8 in
the colour Ecru on the coral linen.
added some more big stitch hand quilting details there too, using 12wt Aurifil
thread in the colour Pale Pink #2410 on the beige linen and DMC pearl cotton thread #8 in
the colour Ecru on the coral linen.
From there, it was just a matter of stitching the front and
back together, leaving a little opening for the filling. I finally got to use some
of the ground walnut shells I bought wayyy back in early 2016! Plus I added
some small cotton batting scraps to give her a soft pillowy feel. Not sure if
that is even appropriate or whether it will dull my needles, but it seemed more
in line with a scrappy project than pulling out some fresh poly fill. Ever
tried that yourself? Let me know if there is a reason it shouldn’t be done.
back together, leaving a little opening for the filling. I finally got to use some
of the ground walnut shells I bought wayyy back in early 2016! Plus I added
some small cotton batting scraps to give her a soft pillowy feel. Not sure if
that is even appropriate or whether it will dull my needles, but it seemed more
in line with a scrappy project than pulling out some fresh poly fill. Ever
tried that yourself? Let me know if there is a reason it shouldn’t be done.
I really don’t need this pin cushion, but it’s currently
sitting on my sewing table bringing me immense joy! What can I say, it’s yet
another example of how it’s the little things that mean the most.
All in all, for me, the moral of the story is that sometimes
your creative soul just need a fun, impromptu sewing session to let your
creativity shine through.
your creative soul just need a fun, impromptu sewing session to let your
creativity shine through.
I would love to hear about an unplanned project that has
brought you tremendous joy and reminded you of the importance of just having
fun!
brought you tremendous joy and reminded you of the importance of just having
fun!
Happy quilting my friends!
xo
Shannon
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She is indeed a cutie!! Love the hand quilting – such a fun and personal detail. I did a couple of pink mug rugs on a whim one day and I have to say, they make me incredibly happy! I use one of them every time i go to my sewing room and just setting my coffee cup on it makes me smile. 🙂
Isn't that the best feeling, Izzy! Especially when the happiness is stemming from something you created yourself 🙂
Cushions will utilize froth, water, gel and air, or a mix thereof to fill their need. FR Base Valance