Saturday, March 26, 2011

Grandma's Flower Garden Pillow & Giveaway

I saw this Grandma's Flower Garden pillow tutorial by Heather on Sew, Mama, Sew! and had to make it. (Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, but I become obsessed with projects lately.)

In the mood for some spring colors, I chose Kumari Garden by Dena Designs in beautiful greens, blues, grays, and yellows and Bella Solids in Robin's Egg and Kelly Green. Using 2-1/4" hexagon English paper piecing templates, I made the main focal point of the piece - a flower with solid center and print outer.


I machine-stitched the completed flower to the background fabric. Then added an extra special touch with hand embroidery in the center and around the exterior of the flower.


This was the first pillow I added binding too and must say the effect is crisp and finished. I wish I would have chosen a different pattern for the binding rather than picking up the paper pieced fabric. But, it will do...


And here is the end result!

 
With an envelope back...


This fabric is so beautiful and the soft hand of the cotton makes it even better. I'd like to make a zig zag pillow out of it to coordinate on our family-room couch - inspired by this post by Elizabeth at Oh, Fransson.

Okay - now giveaway time! Kumari Garden is one of the latest lines I've added to my shop, Swell Cloth. It has a lovely range of spring-like colors that would make gorgeous pillows, quilts, table runners, placemats, napkins, pin cushions, mug rugs, bags, ruffle skirts, peasant tops, baby bloomers - you name it! 


For your chance to get a sampling of Kumari Garden - this 6 Fat Quarter bundle - leave a comment on this post with the name your favorite print in the line. You can view the list of available prints here.


The giveaway will end on Friday, April 1 (no fooling!) at midnight EST, and the winner announced next weekend. Good luck, and happy sewing!

60 comments:

  1. Beautiful pillow!
    I love the Marala in Pink - Thanks for the lovely giveaway :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm rather fond of marala in pink--but Chandra is a close second!

    A beautiful stash-busting project!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorite is probably the Chandra in Blue. I love your pillow. Funny, if this is what hormones are producing already...your house will be gorgeous by the time the baby gets here.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh it's a tough choice but Sujata in Blue is definitely a top contender!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Isn't that a lovely line of fabric! I like Marala in Blue or Sujata in Pink. Thanks so much for such a lovely giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the Marala in Pink.. that is my favorite.. thks for the chance to win! I am just learning to sew and quilt.. so I wud appreciate adding this to my fabric collection! hugs xo
    bonitarose
    bonnieangel1797@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sanjay in blue, I think. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This was a new line for me ! Its lovely as is your pillow. I think my favorite would be Tara in the Sun. Thanks :)
    butler83ataoldotcom

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't know why, but Kamal in stone is calling my name. I'm glad I (somehow) found you through twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your pillow! I think my favorite print is "Kamal In Stone."

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hard choice to make. I like the sujata in pink and the Sanjay in blue...if forced to choose :)
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the Marala - pink or blue...either one!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like Marala in the blue. I am going to have to try hexagons - just another thing on my list to have a go at. Thanks for another giveaway. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  14. They are all so pretty but I Love the Marala in blue.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marala in pink- but it is all beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice giveaway, thanks! My favorite is Tara in the sun.

    ReplyDelete
  17. easily Sujata in Pink. I love the vibrant colors!

    ReplyDelete
  18. My favorite from the Kumari line is Chandra in Blue!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love this print! I've been wanting to make some pillow covers for my couch too! This would look good in my living room! I like all the prints, but my favorite is the Chandra in Blue.

    ReplyDelete
  20. My favorite is Sujata in Blue - I can think of a special block I'm making that this would be perfect for!

    ReplyDelete
  21. My favourite is Tara in Sun
    But they're all lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Super cute! Sujata in Blue is my personal fave, though I really love this whole collection!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I like the Tara in sun. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've been making some cushion-covers today too. What lovely fabric. At a push my favourite is Sujata in Pink but I love them all!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi! I like the Marala in pink, the blue is pretty as well, in fact they are all VERY nice.
    Your pillow turned out great. I enjoy making and swapping those hexagon flowers with some friends! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Loving the Kamal in Stone. Such a gorgeous line!

    ReplyDelete
  27. They are all lovely, My fav would be Marala in blue or pink though. Love your pillow !!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love Grandma's flower is one of my favourite patterns. Pillow looks beautiful!
    My favourite fabric form this collection is DF100 Pink, really sweet
    Thank you so much for this chance to win

    Elena
    lenarod8@yahoo.es

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow, that's hard to decide. Think I'll go with the Kamal in stone but they are all lovely. Thanks for a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I like Marala in blue - so pretty! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's all so beautiful, but I have to Marala in Pink in my favorite. What a great line - thanks so much for the giveaway! Love the pillow too - I'm becoming quite fond of Hexagons myself!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Beautiful, sunny line! My favorite is Sujata in Blue, with Kamal in Moss a close second.

    heidig@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. It was hard to choose but I like the Sujata in Pink. Thanks for the giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love you're pillow. My Fav's are Marala in Blue and pink.

    ReplyDelete
  35. favorite, Kumaria Garden in Chandra Blue

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sujata in pink - gorgeous!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I like the Sujata in Pink, but they're all lovely, so fresh!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm partial to yellow so the Kumari Garden, Tara in Sun looks good to me. Thanks for counting me in.

    ReplyDelete
  39. A favourite - all lovely - however Marala in blue is number 1.

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a great line! Hadn't seen those before. Thanks for putting another item on my wish list. I'm particularly digging Sanjay in blue but it's a tough call.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Your pillow is gorgeous! I think my favorite in that line is Sanjay in blue, but I love them all.

    ReplyDelete
  42. ooo i def love Tara in Sun - just divine!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Love the pillow! Sujata in pink is just divine. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well, they all are gorgeous, but I'm going with
    Kamal in stone. I think it's very unusual and
    would make a great skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Predictable for me, but Tara in Sun. It's all about the yellow and orange!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Kamal in Stone! Love them all! Love, love to use starch, too! I'm using Sta-flo, because I can buy it in the big jug at the grocery and dilute it to add to my old Niagra spray bottle. I'm sure it makes the fabric easier to cut and to piece. I don't worry as much about triangles stretching. Smells good, feels good.

    Scooquilt (Valerie)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sujata in Pink would be my fave, if I just HAD to choose.

    Love the updated look of the Grandmother's Flower Garden in these fabrics. Definitely tempting . .. . - fun4Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  48. Kamal in Stone what a gorgeous fabric! this is a very pretty line. your pillow is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love the Sujata with all of the great colors. It would be perfect for a summer dress for my girls! Thanks for the great giveaway.
    Erin
    emstone28@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Chandra in Blue all the way! But erf, it's hard to pick. They're all so nice.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Love the pillows you made they are gorgeous thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love the Sanjay in blue.
    Great pillow.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm loving the French Lace in Pomegranate, very bold and beautiful. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  54. my fav is the dena-designs kumari garden sujata
    Thanks for this splendid giveaway
    anashct [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Sujata In pink -oh, yes, that's my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hmm hard to decide!! I might go with

    Sujata in Pink or Blue!!

    Pick me! Winna!!!

    ReplyDelete