ISLAND BATIK AMBASSADOR MAY CHALLENGE Playful Pillows

A first for me! I'm actually getting a project done early. Of course I did because I had a sooner deadline to get it done. My parent's 70th anniversary!

My family celebrated my parent's anniversary on Sunday and I wanted to make them something that they would really cherish. I had a copy of their wedding photo. Aren't they a handsome couple!!

Since I didn't have a lot of time to make it, (I'm always doing things at the last minute) I had to figure a fast way to do it.

First I scanned the photo and saved it on my computer. I printed the photo on some Epson Iron-on Cool Peel Transfer paper. I found that it creates a better image than printing it directly on the fabric.

I then, just started sewing strips to the photo. I started with 1", then 1-1/4" then 1-1/2" and so on until I felt that it was as big as I wanted it to be. (I was in too big a hurry to take photos of sewing the strips on.)

I didn't have any pillow forms so I looked up how to make my own with batting on the internet. Isn't the internet a wonderful thing. You can find out how to do anything on it. I found an article that said to make a pocket with 2 pieces of batting by sewing on 3 sides. Then to stuff it with batting scraps so that it is the thickness you wanted without it being too stuffed. Then just sew the last seam down. You don't have to worry about the seams showing since they will be inside the pillow. 

After I made the pillow form (which I measured from the pillow top) I realized that it was too big after stuffing it for the top so I had to add one more row of strips to the top. 

I tried out the alphabet stitches on my sewing machine and stitched their names and date of their wedding.

I didn't have time to quilt it so I sewed the backing on the top on three sides and turned it right side out and put the pillow form in. I pressed the fourth edges in and used some glue to hold the edges together. Then I hand sewed the last edge with a ladder stitch. Here is the finished pillow.

Here they are with the pillow. Aren't they still a handsome couple! (My dad never smiles when you take his photo, but he is happy!) Would you believe my dad will be 98 in June and my mom is 93?

It's not fancy but it served it's purpose. Now when they look at that pillow they will always think of me.

I hope this gives you some incentive to make your own photo pillow for that special occasion. If you have a similar story please share it.

As always; Do what you love and love what you do. Feel free to share with your friends. Thank you for reading. Toby