Sequin Pillows

 When I was up at SewExpo this year, I found some of this sequin-flip fabric and I knew it would make my re-made quilt project shine. Perfect accessory for my son and his girlfriend.

What? You don't know about this sequin-flip fabric? I've been seeing it around in my IG feed and it's super fun to play with. Go ahead, write your stuff. With a flip of your hand, you can erase. The sequins are attached with a bigger circle punch to allow them to flip. This fabric is directional.

Once in my sewing room, I remembered my hobnail bedspread that I had meant to finish making more pillows from and I had even cut them out as 25" squares.

I decided to make them two of these pillows as well.

Well, actually, I was dithering on the sequin flip pillows. Should I do some big-ass piping around the perimeter? Should I piece the back with gingham to match the quilt? (big-ass brain)

Making the hobnail ones first allowed my over-active brain to calm it down and decide on simple zippered pillows.

I had to make the hobnail ones zippered as they are huge at 24". This size fits most modern day pillow cushy couches. I made one plain - hob nail on both sides so I could figure out the zipper (invisible). The second one has fringe and an invisible zipper as well.

The hobnail/chenille ones will be a decorating neutral with the smaller 20" sequin ones as the focus.

 You can see how the sequin ones go with the quilt backing.

For the sequin pillows I sewed the zippers at top. They aren't invisible but they are brown so they merge quite well. The bonus of keeping a large stash. Frankly, I didn't need to make zippered pillows as they aren't washable. You have to dry-clean those sequins. The flannel on the reverse will attract doggy hair. I could have just sewn them shut. But I had found the zippers in stash and I was on a zipper sewing spree.

I also sewed the sequin fabric to some cotton/poly fabric (stash) to help stabilize the slight stretch of the sequin fabric.

I used the rest of my red flannel quilt backing for the pillow backs. I had to piece the backs to get to 20" square. 
I could have made them elongated/rectangular but 20" and 24" pillow forms are much easier to find (and afford) than irregular sizes.

Even though I had these pillow forms in my stash, I plan to take just the covers when I visit in a few weeks. I plan to order the forms through Joann's or Hobby Lobby and have them ship them to the new house. Usually, I can find free shipping as well as a sale on pillow forms.

The Quilt Is Done

The Quilt is done.

It took just as long as the first time too.
The first photo is the 2nd quilt, the 2nd photo is the original.

This was my Christmas present to my son and his girlfriend.
A nice sized giant gingham quilt.

I mailed it off and the post office delivered it to a parcel locker at the apartment complex where they live. Who knows who got the parcel locker key? We discovered no keys were given out.

My sis sent a package that was delivered the same day. Also no key.

At first, we were suffering from disbelief. Days turned into weeks with crazy information. Lester the carrier, multiple supervisors/postmasters who would not call back, tampering with lockers, hope.    A package found in one of the lockers addressed to my son from more than two months back (also NO KEY).

We moved on to the online package inquiry debacle. Both my sister and I filled out the forms. The post office officiously declared it "delivered", therefore no insurance money.

Finally, on the same day I finished the binding on the second quilt, I received a check for $50 plus postage from the post office. This was after my third appeal - where I lost it.

 I almost didn't send the third appeal in. I was ready to move on. But then, I realized I was still enraged. I grabbed a piece of paper and let them have it! I may have mentioned NO KEYS!!! multiple times with lots of exclamations.

My sis hasn't seen her $50 yet.
I believe the system is designed to make you give up.

Both packages were sent priority mail which automatically gives you $50 insurance. I didn't insure my package 'cuz how can you put a price on handmade?

 Here's the backside. I mathed up additional yardage plus my three main fabrics didn't shrink as much as the original three flannels. My little gingham thingy turned out great.

One of the other problems I encountered was the fabric store had moved on from wintery flannel colors to springy colors. I persevered and found my wintry palette and then went home and floundered in the "I should have re-made this in a spring gingham" funk.

By the time they receive this, it will be Spring!

 Outside on a random 70' day. My japanese maples are leafing out joyously.

I also sewed up four zippered pillows. They just bought a house where they live and I will be transporting these pillow covers and quilt/throw in my suitcase. Just to be sure they receive them.

I'll talk about the awesome pillows in my next post.

Kaeli & Brian. Engaged 2018.