Last Friday I was working in the studio on some last minute pieces for the Chapel Market. I usually leave the sewing projects until everything else is done, mainly because it’s not my favorite thing to do. I’m just dragging my feet. I finally pulled out the old ottoman that was waiting for a slipcover and started working on it.
I decided to use a piece from a cutter quilt I’ve been holding onto for a while It wasn’t quite large enough, so I supplemented with a piece of antique homespun linen I bought for $5.00 at an antique store.
I also used the homespun to make the piping, sides and skirt. It wasn’t a big piece, but I was able to make it go a long way by sewing pieces together.
The patch-worked nature of the piece just seemed to work…mostly I think because I used a quilt and antique fabric. I don’t think this would’ve worked with brand new fabric.
I don’t know what this quilt pattern is called, but it’s so beautiful! And the quilting handiwork is amazing as well. This quilt was all over the arrow trend a few decades before it was cool.
As I was working with the homespun, I found a tiny embroidered “K”. It was so sweet, so I made sure it was featured on one side.
Sooo… I was planning to take this to sell, but I took it home instead. I can always make another slipcovered ottoman, but I don’t know if I’ll find another quilt piece exactly like that and a piece of homespun it pairs with so perfectly. Everything just came together to make this one a keeper.
And I have the perfect place for it, so it fits within my rules for keeping something!
I took some pictures as I made this, so I’ll write up a semi-tutorial in the next week or so.
We spent the day prepping our space for the Chapel Market tomorrow and also mingling with the other vendors. It was such a fun, energetic group of people who are so talented and have amazing taste. Just good people all around. This community is the very best for hosting an event like this as well. We’ve been well fed and everyone is so eager to help. Keep an eye on Instagram tomorrow for updates on the sale! I posted a lot of beautiful booth pictures today if you want to check them out.
Follow #thechapelmarket for updates from other vendors and use that hashtag if you’re talking about the event…
20 Responses
the homespun, the cutter quilt…it looks like it was always meant to be together. Love this piece. That block looks like something called flying geese. I love how the arrow is incorporated in it.
Marian – I love the ottoman it looks wonderful!!! The quilt block is commonly referred to as Tree of Life. I have several quilts from the mid 1800’s made with this quilt block – it is one of my favorites.
It’s a variation of a Pine Tree / Tree of Life pattern — you kinda have it on the ottoman sideways. The big arrow is really the base of the tree. I made a holiday wallhanging with a similar block ages and ages ago.
Love that slipcover! Yep, I would have kept it too, the chair and stool look perfect together.
Marian, surely you have a post about your “rules of keeping something” somewhere, if not, I’m sure lots of us would be interested. I admit to having a hard time when it comes to letting things go.
Cheers! Siggie
Georgeous. You created a beautiful way for those antique “scraps” to live on as this wonderful ottomon cover.
One of the prettiest pieces I’ve seen you do! It’s one of a kind.
Thanks for the inspiration . I have a small ottoman I’m hoping to cover. Can’t wait for the tutorial. Please tell me the piping and ruffles are quick and easy! 😉
You know, I usually don’t mind ads on webpages because I know they help “pay the rent.” But all of the sudden, there are ads actually popping up and covering the bottom portion of some of your lovely photographs. It’s incredibly annoying, because the ads don’t even go away after a second – you have to actually click on them to make them go down. That’s NOT a good addition to your website. Ads on the side are fine, but is there any way to get rid of these horrible pop-up ads over the photos?
Yes, i was testing them out and not sure how they would work, but I’m not too fond of them, eithet and am going to remove them. Thanks for the feedback!
The quilt pattern is the tree of life. The arrow is the trunk/roots of the tree. I hold on to pieces like that too–you never know how they will be shown to their full advantage like this one!
Love that you kept this piece. It is one of a kind and so cute!
Marian, if you go to a website called The Quilt Index (part of Mich. State U), there is a wealth of info about different quilt patterns. Way more than I will ever read! However, it looks as if the Flock of Geese/Flying Birds-type of pattern does not have the extra arrow.
I think it’s awesome that you may have inadvertently held onto a pattern called The Tree of Life. “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life… And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” Rev. 22:1-2
Happy Saturday Marian ~ You are so skilled and talented. Best of all, the love shows in all your pieces, painted, stitched or otherwise Mustardized…..Always a highlight to enjoy your posts (even though I’m behind, it’s a special treat to sit down and take my time to read the last few I’ve missed). Hope you have a blessed and happy weekend. xo ~ Terri
So pretty Marion! You did a beautiful job piecing the quilt piece and the antique linen together. It looks perfect in front of that slipcovered chair with that quilt folded over the top.
Gosh you are so clever with a sewing machine, my handiwork only extends to artists brushes I am afraid but would love to be able to make loose covers for two chairs I have.
Love this Marian…..not big on the ruffles as I am not a ruffle person…but the way you have made the quilt work when not actually large enough….is masterful.
So pleased that you have found a studio space….who needs a farm??? All of your posts are enlightening and inspiring…..Many thanks.
N
What an amazing community God has used you to create. As soon as you mentioned you didn’t know the name of the pattern, I knew someone else would. Not only did so many people know the answer, you were even given a Biblical reference as well. Honestly, your ottoman slipcover is a picture of this community. Treasured bits and pieces sewn together into a thing of beauty.
Marian I love love love this slipcover! I love little stools and seeing they’re gorgeous curved legs and so I think it’s amazing when you can top it with something just as beautiful and interesting. It’s such a wonderful idea to save a beautiful art like quilting. Next time I see a stained or less than perfect “old” quilt I’ll think twice about passing it up! Thanks for sharing!
Leelee @ paperbagstyling
That’s just about the cutest little ottoman ever! Totally a keeper…
Cindy
Marian, this ottoman came out beautifully. I love the quilt piece and the biblical reference actually brought tears to my eyes, lovely. I look forward to the tutorial and I hope that in it you will tell us how to handle the existing piping on the piece you are covering. I would love to do slipcovers for a chair I have but it has piping on it – do you leave it on? cut it off? I’d love to know…