I said in my last post that I was going to be sewing up a storm and I definitely did. I finished four accent pillows and two pillow cases and glued the welting on the second bergere chair. A photo shoot is happening in my house next week and I’m using it as an excuse to get things finished that have been on my to-do list for a long time. I’m going to start making new slipcovers for the wing chairs in the family room tomorrow. I slipped those about eight years ago, in drop cloths. They’ve held up really well, but they are starting to show the wear.
So, one of the pillow covers I made today was for the bolster on the living room sofa. It’s been hanging out naked for the past few months and it was time to get it appropriately dressed!
I’m working at such a pace that I didn’t have a chance to make a tutorial, but I did snap a picture in process. I sewed on the piping, then the ruffle, then the piece that would cover the pillow ends when gathered. I made piping and the ties out of the coordinating check that’s on the back of the begere chairs.
I did write a tutorial on how to sew a bolster pillow for HGTV.com and you can find it HERE. The style of that bolster is a little simpler, without the gathering.
Since I’m doing all of this work for the house, it’s easier to bring my supplies and materials from the studio than to carry everything over there. Working at home has made me appreciate my studio space all the more. I don’t know how I worked out of my house as long as I did!
I also had a chance to really work my new sewing machine. My Kenmore finally breathed its last, so it’s headed over to my dad, so he can take it apart and show my boys how a motor works. I went to buy another light-duty machine, only to find that Sears doesn’t make them anymore! So, I bought this Singer and I’ve been really pleased with it so far. It is a “heavy duty”, no frills sewing machine that I got for about $170 on sale at JoAnn’s. The only special feature I really need is a buttonhole stitch and this one has it.
While it is “heavy duty”, it’s still my light duty machine. It can’t handle four layers of grain sack, so I use my Sailrite for those projects. I’ll have to lug that bad-boy over from the studio tomorrow for these slipcovers.
More sewing awaits…
13 Responses
You need a vintage Singer, Marian! There are many sewers who swear by them. They aren’t that hard to find and cost a lot less than you think. I’ve managed to accumulate 4 of them in the last weeks and haven’t paid more than $50.
That bolster is lovely – something that fits my style. I have to ask you, though, do your boys ever pick it up and bop each other with it? It would just be too tempting if I were a kid.
This is wonderful. Always wanted to make one thanks for sharing
Lots of blessings from South Africa
Where did you get the fabric? It’s beautiful and I love the colors!
Love the soft gathers on the bolster pillow! I’m sewing up a slipcover for a wing chair, hoping to finish it today – all my projects are done in small bits as time allows, but I really can’t wait to finish this one. I recently thrifted a vintage sewing machine and just got it back from our local repairman. By weight alone, it’s pretty “heavy duty”. 🙂 We’ll see if it’s sewing ability matches its weight class. 😉
I bought the same machine because I wanted something simple and I absolutely love it!
What is your sofa fabric! I love the texture!
Love the bolster pillow and that fabric. What model # is your Singer. I’ve been thinking of 4452 Heavy Duty…just haven’t pulled the trigger.
Really like the pretty ruffle with cording? and gathered drawstring opening. Oh, and of course, the lovely fabric. As always, beautiful!
That is just so pretty!
Fabulous bolster cushion. I am a first time Miss Mustard seed paint user, having just taken delivery of 2 packets of paint this week. Also I happen to live next door to the house where Mr Singer used to live in days gone by near Oxford, UK.
Thank you for all of your help.
Carole
Ooh please please make a video tutorial for your Wing chair slip covers!!!!!! I’m hoping to make some for my house and I’m a first timer:)
I’m lovin’ that pillow on the end that looks like you used a pillow case. Is there any info. anywhere on that one? If I missed it somewhere, I apologize.