Thursday, April 18, 2013

April Blog Hop Day 4


Welcome to the final day of our April Blog Hop! We hope you've enjoyed meeting these bloggers and seeing what they've created with our fabrics as much as we have!

Today we have a sweet pillow ornament tutorial from Wendy at Ivory Spring. We've featured Wendy here on the blog before, so you may be familiar with her work, but be sure to check out her blog. She does a beautiful job machine quilting her own work, and she's had quite a few quilts featured in magazines. To add to the eye candy, she takes incredibly appealing photos of her quilts and the quilting she does on them. She's an inspiring quilter to follow! 
After you're done looking through her tutorial, make sure to enter the giveaway for a fat quarter bundle of Antoinette at the bottom of this post And be sure to head over to Ivory Spring to say hello to Wendy and check out the free quilt pattern she designed using the Antoinette fabric line.


Hello, my name is Wendy Sheppard and I blog over at Ivory Spring.  It is an honor to be part of Benartex's April blog hop!
I am in love with pillow ornaments because they are super quick to make as gifts or decorative accents.  Today I am going to share with you a SPRING pillow ornament. 

You will need:
  • Antoinette FQ's
  • A piece of ribbon (or two)
  • Craft stuffing
  • Paper-backed fusible web
  • Pressing cloth
  • Basic sewing notions

The fabrics I used are from the Antoinette collection.

I selected the fabrics below for the constructing the pillow and cut them as follows.  You can definitely pick your own favorites:
a.  three 2" x 4-1/2" rectangles


b.  one 1" x 5" rectangle

c.  one 2" x 5" rectangle

d.  one 5" x 6-1/2" rectangle for pillow back

Tip:  When cutting narrow pieces, I like to press starch my fabrics before cutting.  I find that the pieces tend not to distort as much when being handled.

I sewed the 2" x 4-1/2" rectangles together.

Then, I added the 1" x 5" rectangle.

And lastly, I added the 2" x 5" rectangle to complete the pillow top.

Tip:  When sewing narrow pieces together, make sure you are getting a 1/4" seam allowance.
Next up is what I think is the fun part and further makes the project an open-ended one.  Pick and trace the silhouette of a woodland animal you like that would fit the pillow top.  I picked a bunny.

Then, I traced the silhouette in reverse on the paper side of a piece of paper-backed fusible web.

I trimmed the fusbile web inside the applique shape outline , and then peeled off the paper on the untraced side of the fusible web, and carefully placed the bunny on the WRONG side of my applique fabric.  Press with a hot iron to fuse, using a pressing cloth.


I used a pair of sharp scissors to cut out the bunny applique shape.

I then gingerly remove the remnant of the paper backing from the applique piece, and place the applique piece on the pillow top.  Once I am happy with the placement, I fuse the applique piece with a hot iron, using a pressing cloth.


The next part is totally optional. 
#1.  At this point, you may choose to finish by doing blanket stitching around the applique shape.  I didn't for the bunny because I thought the stitches would be a little distracting on the overall look.  So I made sure I fused the bunny onto the pillow top REALLY good.  Click here to read about my tips on the blanket stitches.
#2.  I added a bit of embellishment at this point using a button and bow tied with embroidery floss.

Mark 1-1/4" from the short edges of the pillow back rectangle, and anchor the ribbon ends at the markings.

Place pillow back rectangle, right sides together, on pillow top.  Pin and sew, leaving a 2" opening for stuffing.  Clip corners, and carefully turn the pillow case right side out.  Press.  Stuff with stuffing.

Hand stitch the opening shut to complete pillow ornament.

 And the finished pillow:



p.s. Here's how to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Antoinette! 



1. Sign up to follow the blog via Google Friend Connect or via email (right hand sidebar) and then leave a comment here, telling us that you have done so. If you're already signed up, great! Just let us know.
2. Like us on Facebook and then leave a comment here, telling us that you have done so. If you already have, great! Just let us know.

The giveaway is open through Tuesday, April 23rd at 11:59 pm EST. We'll 
announce the winner Wednesday morning. 

**If you are a no-reply blogger, either leave us a way to contact you in your comment, or be sure to check back on Friday. If you win and we don't hear from you, we can't send you your fabric!**

See the schedule for the entire April blog hop here.
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133 comments:

  1. I love this little pillow made by Wendy. I read her blog all the time and it comes to my email.
    I am now a follower of your blog.

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  2. I try to stay away from blogs...however, your's is exceptional so I decided to become a follower. I'm looking forward to many beautiful projects.

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  3. I just signed up as a blog follower. Thanks so much

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  5. I just signed up to follow your blog. So glad I found it via Ivory Spring......"liking" you on FB also!

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  6. What a cute idea! I just signed up to follow your blog, I came from Ivory Spring. I also liked you on FB. Thanks for the entries

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  7. Cute pillow! I am a happy regular follower of your blog!

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  8. This is a beautiful fabric and Wendy's blog is the BEST! I don't, however, use FB and hope I can enter the drawing anyway!

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  9. Signed up to receive the blog. I've been reading Ivory Spring for awhile. Would love to win that fabric!

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  10. Kaye M. tkmattson@hotmail.comApril 18, 2013 at 10:52 AM

    I'm enjoying this blog hop, they are so much fun and I learn alot! I came here from Wendy's blog as I have been a follower of her for a long time. Now I am a new follower of your blog and I liked you on facebook too. The Antoinette fabrics are gorgeous and coordinate beautifully.

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  11. I have just discovered you through Wendy's blog (I've followed her for quite some time). I am now signed up to follow your blog as well as a new facebook follower. The pillow looks so cute made up in the Antoinette fabrics!

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  12. Hello!!! i came here from Ivory Spring's email that i received earlier, and apart from the fab tutorial on how to make this ornament pillow, i also followd this page connecting with my google account, plus i liked the page on FB, and if you had more pages i would definately followed them as well. I really appreciate a nicely written tutorial with quality, it makes me better as a beginner, and it's inspirational as well! so, many thanks for sharing your thoughts and the giveaway as well!! Keep up the beautiful work!! have a great day!

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  14. Love ivory spring blogs, so I am sure I will enjoy yours and your fabric.

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  16. Hello, just signed up with your blog and I like you on facebook. The tutorials look like something I would do.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  17. Love, love, love Benartex fabrics. Just found this blog through Ivory Spring. Thanks!

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  18. LIKE YOU ON FB!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  19. HAPPY TO FOLLOW VIA GFC!
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING A GREAT GIVEAWAY!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  20. I follow thru GFC & email....don't do FB etc tho...

    Love your Bunny Ornament!!

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  21. I am a card carrying blog follower and FB, too.

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  22. I follow your blog already!
    Sandy A

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  23. I "like" you on Facebook! (And love this project!)

    Sandy A

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  24. What an adorable project and beautiful fabric, I'm following your blog!!
    Do you need a blog to enter the giveaway?? I don't have one... contact me; 9outof10@p7sales.com

    Mary

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  25. I liked you and I love the fabric! Holding my thumbs.....

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  26. I follow you on Bloglovin and like you on Facebook. This fabric is beautiful.

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  27. Beautiful fabric and very cute pillow! Have signed up!

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  28. I am now following your blog via GFC. What a beautiful pillow ornament. And the fabrics used are amazeing. Thank you for the oppoutunity to enter your giveaway.

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  29. I am now following your facebook page. Thanks for the chance to enter. Looking forward to keeping up with whats happening. Now that discovered yall today.

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  30. I already receive Sew In Love by email. I just love Wendy's project. It has so much charm.

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  31. I'm already a Facebook follower. Thanks.

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  32. I'm already a follower on GFC.

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  33. I'm also a follower on Facebook.

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  34. I am a follower by email.
    Bev L.

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  35. That is very sweet. Wendy did such a great job. I follow you on FB.

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  36. Love Wendy's blog and another great pattern. Signed up for your e-mail alerts!!

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  37. Love Wendy't work she is very talented.

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  38. I signed up through google Connect and liked you on facebook: VRBabiesNKids

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  39. done and done. Hope I win. That is the cutest rabbit!

    jotenijo@yahoo.ca

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  40. following you on your blog and also on facebook... love the fabrics and the little pillow is so cute

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  41. I follow Benartex and Ivory Spring by email and Friend Connect. I love Wendy's work, and the Antoinette quilt and fabric are both wonderful. Thanks!

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  42. I follow Benartex on Facebook. This was fun! Thanks.

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  43. I follow Ivory Spring by email and Benartex on Facebook. Hoping I am fortunate enough to win the awesome fabric!

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  44. I am following Benartex on Facebook and I am following the Blog via GoogleConnect!

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  45. I follow ivory springs blog and your fb page! You have some beautiful fabrics! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  46. I followed the blog by email and liked Benartex on facebook.

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  47. Thanks for the tutorial for Wendy's cute ornament! i have signed up to follow this blog and like Benartex on Facebook!

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  48. I just signed up to follow the blog via email. I don't know how Wendy finds time for all that she does - truly inspiring!!

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  49. I have just signed up to follow your blog, and I also liked you on Facebook. I even left a comment on Facebook telling them I loved your fabrics because they look very 'Victorian' to me -- a home fashion I love. I look forward to following your blog.

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  50. I just signed up to follow your blog and am headed to facebook right now to "like" you and leave a comment! I LOVE the Antoinette line....just beautiful...thanks so much for a chance to win this bundle...it would make my day...scratch that....my YEAR!!! Blessings....

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  51. Following on email. Love this fabric and great tutorial.

    Gayle (illusions@rainierconnect.com)

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  52. I'm a GFC follower
    shel704 at aol dot com

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  53. I'm a Facebook fan
    shel704 at aol dot com

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  54. I follow your blog AND I'm a Facebook fan. Love the wee pillows!

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  55. I follow your blog and via email. Don't want to miss anything! I think I need to make this and turn it into a pincushion, it's so cute I want to look at it all day.

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  56. I already follow on Facebook under my name, Rina Mason.

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  57. What a cute design. Wendy is so talented.

    And, I follow you with delight via email and on Facebook.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  58. I follow with GFC! Thanks for the giveaway. :)

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  59. I'm following your blog and I "liked" you on facebook. This is a beautiful line of fabric - love it.

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  60. Like you on Facebook! great giveaway!

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  61. I liked on facebook and follow your blog.

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  62. I follow the blog via email. Thanks for the giveaway and the tutorial for this darling pillow.

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  63. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  64. I like you on Facebook (Pam Solberg)

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  65. Gorgeous! Thanks again for the great blog! (Angie)

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  66. Love this fabric collection. Will post like on my facebook acct. Thanks. Found this on Ivory Spring blog.

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  67. Thanks for the tut. I do follow you via GFC and reader.

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  68. I subscribe to the blog via email

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  69. I signed up for your blog and have enjoyed looking at the fabrics, updates, etc.

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  70. Lovely little pillow. Thanks for sharing. I'm following via Google.

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  71. I'm a current follower. Love that pillow and fabric line.

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  72. Love this fabric and the pillow! Thank you! :)

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  73. I follow through rss feeds and love it

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  74. Great tutorial and a beautiful quilt pattern over on the blog.

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  75. have been following via email and it's great to get the project ideas, and see the newer fabrics, thanks!!!!
    deb0web-three@yahoo.com

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  76. I follow via e-mail. Enjoyed seeing your tutorial. The bunny motif is adorable!

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  77. Benartex is always a leader in quality fabric, and I just love this pattern material and the adorable pillow!!

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  78. I'm a follower. What beautiful fabric!

    kspanjer@cableone.net

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  79. Lovely fabric. It's very romantic.

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  80. Lovely fabric. Cute pattern, will have to try it!

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  81. Love the fabric. I follow you on FB. and email.

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  82. I follow you on email. And I loved the blog hop. This tutorial was really cute!

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  83. I have liked your page on Facebook (finally) lol

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  84. I already liked your Facebook page.

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  85. I like the tutorial. I follow on email.

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  86. Thank you. What a lovely pillow. I follow this blog

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  87. Oh my heart be still. Antoinette is absoluteky beautiful! I now follow by email

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  88. Cute pillow by Wendy! I am a follower, thanks for a great giveaway!

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  89. I like you on FB, thanks again for the giveaway!

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  90. I just became a follower, I'll be looking back through the blog for sure!

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  91. I've just liked you on Facebook as well, looking forward to seeing many quilts with your fabrics there - love it! Thanks for the chance to win some!

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  92. I am a new follower. The bunny pillow is so cute and I am glad you showed how you cut out the center of the fusible. SOmetimes the applique piece is too stiff and I think that would make it softer to not use as much fusible.

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  93. LOVE this little pillow ornament! What a great gift it will make for my Secret Stitchin' Sister. I'm now thinking I could do one for every month and she could switch them out. Thanks!

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  94. Oops! Forgot to tell you that I'm a new follower via e-mail thanks to Debby Kratovil who pointed the way to this blog.

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  95. I am a new follower via email debby kratovil reccommended your wonderful blog babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  96. I liked on facebook babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  97. I love the collection and follow the blog faithfully.
    I like Benartex on facebook

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  98. I follow you via GFC! mjalfano19 at gmail dot com

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  99. I like you on FB! Stacy Kemper Alfano

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  100. Been thinking of making a brown and pink quilt for some time. This line is so beautiful and would be perfect! Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  101. I have signed up to follow by e-mail.

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  102. Ooops forgot to say what a lovely little project with a nice line of fabrics.

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  103. Wendy this is adorable... Thanks for sharing it with us. I've sent it to my friends. I am a GFC follower. Take care,Karen

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  104. I signed up to,get your blog updates. The bunny pillow,is adorable. Love the Antoinette fabrics!

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  105. Love the fabric and pillow. I liked you on Facebook and follow via email. Thanks!

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