Thursday, December 20, 2012

Last Minute Christmas Pillow


I had so much fun yesterday! As I was reading through my blog updates, I came across a free pattern from Tula Pink for an awesome, retro VW van pillow, made with the new Salt Water collection. I made a mental note to make that pillow some day.

Then, I ran across a post from My Go Go Life and Kim's great rendition of the Cruiser Pillow.  Quickly my mind went into overdrive and I thought, "That would be a kick to make that pillow for my sister-in-law for Christmas, particularly since she has an old VW Van."  My husband agreed, and so I began pulling fabrics from my stash to come up with a mod version of their maroon colored van.

Here's what I came up with.


Our last name is Neiwert, so I embroidered a big "N" on the front emblem.  Putting this together was so cool - I had this great black fabric with gold and silver stripes in it, so it looks just like tires. The colors and patterns are kinda funky - exactly the look I wanted.



I quilted the front with a paisley pattern in gold thread, just to give it that little psychedelic touch!  I did make one blunder in my quilting, and I'm always the first to point it out. I quilted the yellow background first, and then moved down on the right-hand side of the dark pink. I did about a fourth of it and couldn't see very well, so I stopped and went over to the left-hand side, moving back over to the right.  Oops. Should not have done that. I ended up with a crinkle in the fabric, down by the right tire.  Sigh. So glad that wasn't on a large quilt.  I eased the quilting into it as best I could, and have now learned a valuable lesson: don't do that again!



Here's the backside of the pillow. For that I just ran straight lines across it, mostly at half-inch increments, but I'd throw in a quarter-inch every now and then, just to mix it up a bit!

  

Here it is, started one day, finished the next, and now patiently sitting beneath the tree waiting to be boxed up and wrapped for my fantastic sister-in-law.  They can either use it in their van, or have a fun touch for their family room. Either way, I hope she gets as much of a kick out of it as I did making it!

Barb
Linking up with Link A Finish Friday by Richard and Tanya Quilts and Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party.


16 comments:

  1. Adorable pillow, and how nice that she will hava a personal connection to it! Happy holidays!

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  2. Oh what a great pillow!!! I'm sure your sister is going to love it :)

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  3. Anyone would enjoy it; but someone with a VW Van has to love it!

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  4. That is so cute!

    Bobi
    http://westernwarmth.blogspot.com

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  5. Hi I spotted your cushion at Sew Many Ways and had to come and see it ! What a great job you did , I love it !

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  6. Hey, that is totaly cool. I have been wanting to make one, and know I know I gotta try it!

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  7. Love this...want to make one for my daughter!

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  8. I saw Kim's pillow too and loved it! You did such a great job!

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  9. What a great pillow! Love the fabrics you used. I think your sister in law will be "floored" when she sees this special gift. Wonderful job!

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  10. Hi, Barb ... I love your pillow. What a wonderful gift for your sister-in-law. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a kind comment for the Christmas Stocking Hangout. Thanks also for the link to the Friday Finish Linky. Sew much fun ... :) Pat

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  11. Linked over from Richard and Tanya's LAFF. Great pillow! That so captures the old VW bug spirit.

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  12. I love this pillow! It's beyond cute!

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  13. Cute! I have that very pattern sitting in front of me as we speak. I've pulled a few fabrics already and am searching for just one more in my stash so I can make it.

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