Although I enjoy sewing, I don't sew very often. I do get the urge now and then- times when I must get out the ol' Singer and create something.
I have been on a pillow kick lately. Here's one of my most recent creations, the Royal Elephant Pillow Cover. I was drawn to the image, and no wonder- in many cultures, the elephant represents grace, prosperity, power, loyalty, kindness, and wisdom. Who wouldn't want more of those things in the new year?
I found the pattern at sewdaily.com. It's free to download and print.
After cutting out the fabric elephant, I sprayed it lightly with spray adhesive to attach it to the pillow cover while I sewed it on.
The pillow cover is unbleached muslin. I cut out 16.5" squares, then stitched 1/4" seams to fit a 16" pillow form. I inserted a zipper at the bottom of the cover so I could take the cover off and wash it when necessary.
It had been a while since I had sewn a zipper, so I brushed up on the process with this tutorial by Make it and Love It. I hadn't used her method before, but it worked well for me.
Attached using small zigzag stitches
I liked how the swirl in the pattern of the fabric seemed to fit in with where the elephant's eye would be.
I made two of these pillow covers- one with the elephant facing the other way. I had originally made them to be a pair, but they ended up being adopted in two different homes. :)
Do you sew? What projects are you working on?
Royal Elephant Pillow may have been taken to some of these great parties.
Royal Elephant Pillow may have been taken to some of these great parties.
Come and see Yesterfood on your favorite social media!
I love this Joy! I love elephants, and have a nice collection of them, and this would be the perfect addition. I am not great at sewing, but practice is the only way to get better, right? I will check out the zipper tutorial, as that is definitely intimidating to me! Have a great day! xo
ReplyDeleteKris, I love that you collect elephants! This pillow wasn't difficult, a little tedious in some spots, but it was worth it. I am NOT very good at putting in zippers...but even if they don't look all that great, they're on the bottom of the pillow where they don't show! ;)
DeleteI sew all the time. For years my family and friends have been trying to take it main stream and this year I decided I might participate in my local Co-Op store just to test the water. I love this design of the pillow... Very nice work :).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much- I really liked the design, too. Sewdaily.com has some good ideas. Congratulations on participating in your local Co-Op store- I would love to hear how it goes!
DeleteI can't sew at all, I can't even mend well. So I am always impressed when someone makes something as gorgeous as this pillow. Nicely done!!
ReplyDeleteTara, thank you! I don't mend much of anything...it's not "fun" like a project is! Your comment reminded me of something that happened a couple of weeks ago. I was taking off my coat, and my sister noticed that one of the buttons holding the hood on was missing...and that part of the hood was being held on by a giant safety pin. :) She was shocked and said, "You took Home Ec- you know how to sew on a button!" I guess knowing how and wanting to bother with it are two different things! :D
DeleteLove it!
ReplyDeletePinned from the Pin It Party. Great fabric choice too.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing! Love it.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow is lovely Joy…the simplicity of it is inviting to sew. I would love to start sewing again! Now I am headed over to sewdaily.com!
ReplyDeleteKay, thank you! I don’t have the time or patience for a sewing project that takes days....so quick projects like this are perfect for me. Every time I sew I think, “Why don’t I do this more often? :) Happy Friday!
DeleteWe just bought our 12 year old a sewing machine for Christmas. I've been looking around for cute beginner patterns for her. I bet she could do this one! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad kids are still learning to sew! My precious, elderly next-door neighbor taught me to sew on her old pedal Singer when I was 6 years old. I was confused later when I couldn't find the pedal on my mom's electric machine! :) I hope your daughter loves it and finds lots of cute projects to try! ♥
DeleteJoy, I like this! A great project and a good tutorial, too. I hope your weekend is winding up wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteLynn, thank you so much. It was really fun to do something kind of different for a change! :)
DeleteThat looks so neat! I do sew, but I mostly do cross-stitch. I could attach the elephant well enough, but I don't hold much hope for adding a zipper!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I will admit that installing a zipper is the least fun part of this project for me. I often use pillow closures that do not involve any zippers! ;)
DeleteI love elephants, so I had to check this out--very cute! Have a wonderful weekend! Dee :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love elephants and this would fit perfectly in my living room theme. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kimberly, and thanks for coming by! :)
DeleteYes, I do sew Joy, and I have to say this pillow is tempting me to get to it! Zippers do seem to be intimidating for many, including me, although I recently learned an easy (relatively) way to do them. But given the choice, I would much rather use another type of closure.
ReplyDeleteI saw your comment about your neighbor teaching you how to sew and her old machine. My grandmother first introduced me to sewing, and I actually have her machine which I think is from the 30's. There is a picture of it on my sidebar.
Thank you for joining our blog hop! We are happy to have you!
Doreen, you know I am interested in knowing about your zipper technique!! :) I usually make pillows with envelope closings in the back-is that what they call the fold over enclosure like you see on pillow shams? Anyway, those do go much faster, but I have been doing some with zippers recently. I went back over to your blog and read the sweet story about your precious Grandmother and her sewing machine- such a beautiful tribute! ♥
DeleteMy sewing machine is sulking in the attic - several years. YIKES! Love this pillow and when I first saw it, I thought you had embroidered the eye. The fabric pattern fits the style of the elephant.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you, Donna! Isn’t it funny how we go back and forth on hobbies- stay away for awhile, and then come back to it. I think I lucked out finding that fabric...no way could I embroider like that! :D
DeleteThis is so pretty! It caught my eye right away on the Dare to Share party. My daughter has collected anything elephant since she has been a little girl so I am always on the look out for elephant stuff.
ReplyDeleteTeri, how fun- now I want to collect elephants, too! :) Thank you so much for coming by!
DeleteJoy that is so nice! Love the fabric and the elephants! I used to sew all the time but somehow lost the urge. One of LAST year's resolution was to get my machine out and do something -- anything! Didn't make it so moved it to this year. I am pleased to announce I got it out and actually mended 2 shirts for Grampy! It's a start!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a great start, Kc! Does Amara sew, or is she mainly interested in cooking? I know she’s really good at that!
DeleteHi Joy! Amara DOES sew -- and often sews with her other Grandma -- which works out well as her other Grandma isn't big on cooking. We share her very well -- but anyway! Amara got her own sewing machine about a year ago and loves it! Uses it! She really is very well rounded!
DeleteJoy, thank you for stopping by All Natural Katie. I love your blog! Lots of great resources like this one. I have done a little bit of sewing and feel confident, from your tutorial, to take on this project.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Katie! I am very glad to have met you- I look forward to visiting your blog again very soon. :)
DeleteI'll tell you what...you found the perfect fabric for this ! At first glance it looks as if you embellished it all with tiny beads or something! It is awesome!! :)
ReplyDeleteI really lucked out with that fabric, Deb! It did most of the work for me! ;)
DeleteVery beautifully done! I especially like your choice of fabric, and how not only does the eye "line up" in the right place, but the way the swirls define the shape of the body. I know you'll enjoy looking at this for many years to come!
ReplyDeleteI love this pillow! I love the fabric you used for the elephant. My mom and I bought collect elephants, so I'll definitely have to make one of these pillows. #pinning
ReplyDeleteNavy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
T'onna, thank you so much for coming by and for pinning! I'm so happy to find your party, too- thanks! :)
DeleteHello again! I just wanted to let you know than I'm featuring your fabulous pillow at this week's Submarine Sunday Link Party!!!
DeleteI love this Joy! Thank you for sharing. I linked over from Facebook. I have a daughter who loves elephants and I'm thinking if I also added some beading or sequins - it could have an Indian flare to it.
ReplyDeleteWouldn’t that be fun? I love the idea....maybe I can experiment with it soon! :) Thank you for coming over from Facebook today!
DeleteI Love it!!! looks beautiful, I especially like the material you used for the elephant. Thanks for sharing on Serenity Saturday Link Party
ReplyDeleteNatasha @ Serenity You
Very Pretty!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more time to sew but work seems to always get in the way of what i want to do...LOL!
Thanks for linking up to Fluster's Creative Muster Party!! I am co hosting this week!!
Hugs,
Deb
Awesome, Debbie- I bet that has been FUN! Thanks for coming by- I sure know what you mean about not having time to sew- I try to fit these shorter projects in here and there! ;)
DeleteThose are so cool Joy! I do not sew, in fact my daughter took the sewing machine with her when she moved out! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Best of the Weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this...on top of the fact that I am enamored by elephants. I would love for you to share this great post at our WIW Linky Party. I hope you can join us.
ReplyDeletePaula
Ivy & Elephants
Very cool! And you made it seem so easy! I want to make dozens now. Is that too many? Thanks for linking up to Snickerdoodle Sunday!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteElephant lovers would go crazy for this Joy. The fabric is wonderful! Really looks like the skin of an elephant. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
So cool.. Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteI have not been successful with sewing, in general, but pillows may be the answer for me. I love pillows and I think, I should be able to master making them. I am so glad you posted this.
ReplyDeleteA gorgeous pillow cover!!! The fabric you have used is just perfect, especially for making the eye.
ReplyDeleteHi Joy, I've featured your pillow cover today...
Deletehttp://www.threadingmyway.com/2014/02/threading-your-way-features_24.html
Pam, thank you- I'm so happy you liked it! I really enjoyed making it. I will be over to see all of the features! :)
DeleteI love this pillow! My mother-in-law just returned back from a trip to India to visit my sis-in-law doing missionary work and she came back with a stack of lovely Indian fabric! Such a great return gift to make for her! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and love the batik you used!!
ReplyDelete