Monday, November 21, 2011

A DIY Wedding Gift Idea!


Just wanted to share a pillow I made for a wedding/shower gift for my friends Julia & Jonathan, who were married this past May... {as you can see May 21st, 2011}.   I neglected to take pictures of it so she was kind enough to mobile email this one to me.  So....with only one photo (which I tried to photo shop and make it a little clearer),  I'm going to post about it!

This is made out of  natural linen, but I've made several others in the past couple of years out of various other fabric,  such as burlap, faux silk, and even 'drop cloth' material!  (And, yes....I neglected to take a picture of any of them!)  You can make them any size you'd like, square or rectangle, but generally I make them rectangle shape of about 16 x20 inches.
Once I've chosen the fabric and cut out the front and back for the pillow,  I set the words in whichever font suits me (and fits), using the program, Monogram Wizard, on my computer.   I then hoop one piece of the fabric and use my Brother sewing/embroidery machine for the embroidery.
I put both pieces of fabric, right sides together, sewing all 4 sides, but leaving an opening just large enough to insert the stuffing (or pillow form), then stitch that closed!
Usually it takes about 2 hours to make, what with picking out the font size and spacing it all just right, then stitching it out!   Most of my machine embroidery alphabets don't have the ampersand (&), so I have to spell out the Brides name, the word 'and' then the Grooms name, then the date they were married!  (here is the saying, it reads:)
...and they lived
happily ever after
Julia and Jonathan
May 21st, 20011

This one I made with a two inch flange in the linen fabric.  Sometimes I put a fringe or no flange at all, as  on a burlap pillow I made.  A couple of times I even put three rolled fabric flowers made out of the same fabric as the pillow in the upper corner.

One pillow I made out of a store bought sham and just embroidered the words on it, so that one was an actual full size pillow.   Some people display them on their beds or in a chair!  It's just something a little unique and unexpected, so I think it makes for a nice 'keepsake' gift!
Hope you like!

Thanks for stopping by!
~Judy~


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5 comments:

Debbiedoos said...

What a very special keepsake. I love the pillow and the saying. Thank you so much for sharing with my newbie party.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Judy, I really like the work you did on the pillow. It's certainly something that they will appreciate for a long time to come.

I'm your newest follower. Please stop by and say hi.

Unknown said...

Oh, what a gorgeous, meaningful, personal gift! I would have loved to receive something similar for my wedding. Or something when my son was born with his name and the date...this is a lovely idea. Please say you'll share it here!

http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2011/11/shine-on-fridays-3-and-some-fabulous.html

Judy said...

Thanks for the sweet comments.

Ashley P. said...

Thanks for following my blog! I absolutely love this adorable pillow! It's such a wonderful keepsake!