I attempted two firsts this weekend. In between trying to assemble some scrappy quilt backs, I decided to try to tackle my first project for my Make Mine Modern partner, a selvage pincushion totally inspired by Live a Colorful Life. I decided it needed some piping to make the selvages pop a little, so I hiked over to Jo-Ann's and bought a nice assortment of colors, then proceeded to visit Sew 4 Home, one of my favorite tutorial sites. Their piping tute seemed pretty good. I read it and re-read it, then I felt pretty good about how to do it, so I tried. It was bad.
I tried again, using the same method, and again, had to get out my seam ripper. Again. And again. And again. I think I ripped the piping out at least five or six times. I also got out lots of obscenities and my husband came to check on me to make sure I didn't hurt myself or something.
I went back to Google, and found a tute at Clever Nesting that got me over the hump and got to me forgive piping, which I swore off in this process with a slew of four-letter words. I finished off the first pincushion, filled it up with some rice, and shoved some pins in it. I wasn't sure I was in love with how it turned out, so I decided to churn out one more, see if it was any easier, if it turned out any nicer.
I'm really looking forward to the next project I have planned for my swap partner, but I'm not going to get started on it for a few days - I see some actual quilting in my future now that I've finished off some quilt backs.
I'm linking up with {Sew} Modern Monday over at Canoe Ridge Creations, check it out to see what other goodies everyone's making!
I'm also linking up with Fabric Tuesday this week over at QuiltStory. I can't see what Heather and Megan are up to, they have gorgeous taste in fabrics!
My seam ripper was my best friend not too long ago. Now I cannot find it. I think it is in hiding, perhaps feeling a bit used? Ha! The pin cushions turned out great! You fill with rice? I like the idea of the weight added to it... do you fill completely with rice, and are there other benefits besides the weight? :o)
ReplyDeleteLooks great but I'm curious: What gave you the most issue? The corners?
ReplyDeleteThe seam ripper is your friend! Cute pin cushions, I just made a mug rug out of them. They are on my Sunday post!
ReplyDeleteangie - http://craftedAngles.com
Yikes! I'm impressed you persisted! Have you seen this piping tutorial? I've used it before and didn't have any trouble.
ReplyDeletehttp://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=527
My seam ripped and I spent lots of quality time together when I had to tear apart an entire zippered clutch I couldn't quite figure out!
ReplyDeleteThese pincushions are cute! The piping is nice touch!
Wow, good job sticking with it, I'm not sure I would have! I haven't tried piping before but I would like to - any tips? The pincushions look great!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot more persistance than me! I'm sure at some point I would have impaled the pin-cushion-to-be with the seam ripper and walked away! They look great by the way!
ReplyDeleteI've made so many of these that I was actually thinking of doing a tutorial on piping. But they turned out great and your piping looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI made some of these pincushions for a swap last year and also was not happy with the piping. Used pre-made from JoAnn's too. My problem was that the piping would look good on the top side but I didn't seem to be sewing the piping in the same spot on the bottom side of the pincushion. Too much of the piping fabric would be showing. Still haven't figured out how to correct this. Think I will make my own piping the next time. Glad my seam ripper is already blue, after making these I think my sewing machine is starting to turn that color too.
ReplyDeletegood for you for sticking with it! i tend to give up when the seam ripper has to make an appearance!
ReplyDeleteLove! Glad you stuck with this one, it is adorable. That is one lucky swap partner :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday!
I have also spent a lot of time seam ripping, or "un-sewing", as I like to call it ;) Better that than to look at something forever that drives you NUTS!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad my tutorial helped you out. I love the selvedge fabric you made. I'd love to receive a pin cushion like that in a swap! Very awesome!
ReplyDeleteSo cute and sweet! Thanks for linking up to Quiltstory!
ReplyDeleteI added the "optional" piping to a dog bed from the "One Yard Wonders" book last week and I can't count the number of times I had to pull out my stitches and start later! Glad to know I'm not the only one.
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