I love when an idea works out the way I want it too! I had the urge to do something a little different than I normally do. I wanted to take on a larger stitching project and turn it into a pillow! What better occasion to go all out with some stitchery for than Valentines! So I created this True Love Hand Stitched Pillow and I am in LOVE with it!
After a few hours of stitching I was afraid I’d bitten off more than I could chew. I changed my end plans a little, persevered and am I ever glad I did! I think it turned out just perfect.
Even though this pillow required thousands and thousands of stitches and turned into a labor of love, it was worth the time. Of course the time that I did spend stitching is basically an inexpensive form of therapy. Relaxing on the couch with Bitly in my lap and stitching in my hand is my idea of a good time.
To start I cut a 15 x 15 square out of unbleached cotton and a thin batting. I cut a paper heart to trace with fabric marker onto the center. Using my ruler added to lines so that I could make sure the text would be straight ( I can’t free hand worth a darn) and added the words. Next up was the wood grain design. I took inspiration from a piece of wood grain fabric I had on hand… and then just winged it! Starting from the center and working my way to the edges.
Once all the stitching was done (I’m guessing about 12 hours worth) I washed and dried the stitched square to remove the fabric marker, ironed it and then drew a 12 x 12 square on the wrong side. I cut another piece of unbleached cotton and batting a littler larger the 12 x 12 square and pinned the 2 squares and batting together, right sides in. I then straight stitched along the marked line, leaving a few inches a gap of a few inches to be able to turn and stuff the pillow. Once it was sewn, I trimmed the access fabric, leaving approximately a 1/2 inch seam. I lefter such a large seam to ensure that the stitching doesn’t come loose in the future. Once the pillow was turned right side out I stuffed it with poly-fill and hand stitched the gap closed.
The pillow was a tad bit lumpy so I stacked a couple of larger books on top of it for an hour or 2 to flatten things gown and smooth out the appearance. It worked perfectly.
It might have taken longer than anticipated, but this pillow was worth every minute and every stitch! Hopefully someone loves it as much as I do and snatches it up at the Market this weekend!
This is so sweet! I love the faux wood detail! Very pretty. Shared! Lots of love, Lisa
It looks awesome! I love the wood.
This is so cute!! SO much detail!
I LOVE the wood-like hand stitching. That is gorgeous!
Oh wow. That is some detail work for real. Looks like zebra stripes! <3
I love the wood grain. This is really sweet & you’ve inspired me to try my hand at at least one hand stitch project this year.
This pillow is just the cutest! You did such an amazing job! Now I just wish that I was as crafty as you!
Wow that is a lot of work!
That pillow is too cute!
I wish I could be that crafty! Love the pillow!
This is awesome! So much hard work went into it!
That looks great! AND time consuming. 🙂
This is incredible – the detail of the wood grain is really beautiful! And definitely worth the work. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do:)
Wow, I love this project! I'm inspired to try something like this, thanks so much for sharing your idea! I'd love for you to stop by my blog Over The Apple Tree. Have a great day!
Awe, I <3 your heart pillow! Wood textures are super popular and yours is so sweet<3 Pinned
I know this take a lot of work, but the outcome is so lovely! I hope you will come and share this on the Spring Craft Blog Hop.
That is such a beautiful pillow.
Julie
Thank you for linking up with #wordlesswednesday
co-host – http://www.julieinthemaking.com/
Oh wow! You are so incredibly talented Jennifer! I cannot draw to save my life. This is a gorgeous pillow! I agree that the time invested in making it was well worth it! Thank you for linking up to the Oh My Heartsie Girls Wordless Wednesday Linky Party!
Wishing you a fabulous week!
Much love,
Lysa xx
Welcome to My Circus
Co-Host OMHGWW
I love this! Super cute! But it does look labour intensive for sure. My kids would like to make this with supervision I think. (I have tweens.)
Hello beautiful! This looks so amazing. I love it. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. We can't wait to party with you! Happy Valentines' Day! Lou Lou Girls
Adorable! I love the way it turned out, and I am especially impressed by your perseverance in tackling this kind of traditional fiber art project. Hand stitching projects take a long time but they are truly worth the investment. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop at Katherine's Corner. Hope to see you this coming week at the hop! Nina @ Vintage Mama's Cottage
this is so sweet, totally love it! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop! Watch for your feature on Monday xo
Oh my goodness! This pillow is so cute! Thank you for sharing on Show Me Saturday! Pinning!
That is an absolutely beautiful pillow!
How pretty! You did a beautiful job with the pillow, such a cute idea! I did something similar for Valentine's Day a couple of year's ago, it was a similar hand-stitched image, but in picture form. Love the pillow idea! 🙂
I love the wood grain stitching! So cute! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's bash. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/02/make-it-… Have a fabulous week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know we have a brand NEW spin-off of the #PureBlogLove link party. I would love for you to drop by and see all the new changes we have made for better interaction with the bloggers.
We run every Thursday @ 8 pm est on http://www.homemadefoojunkie.com through the weekend. Come celebrate with us on the NEW Pinterest Party where bloggers pin their established Pinterest pins to our link party.