Pillows Plus

The magazines claim a few casually displayed pillows bring style to a room without commitment. I look around my house and see missed opportunity. The pillows I have are largely older, possible dirty and even ripped. No more! My friend T has asked me to make zippered pillow covers for her couch. While I"m at at, I'll make some things for myself. The first installment is a Melody Miller fabric on a chair next to our dining table. Maybe a dishes design is too cutsie to be stylish, but for half a yard of fabric and a red zipper, I'm in.

Pantry Basket

I'm motivated to make fabric baskets lately, and I'd like to find the best ways to make baskets that are useful, attractive, durable and fun with fabric. Up to now, I've been trying to improve my baskets by experimenting with different combinations of interfacing and stabilizers as well as fussy ways to trim and iron. Baskets made from pieced fabric offer visual interest and maybe a little commentary, too. I could make a pieced basket with children's book characters. I could make a pieced basket showing the progression of the seasons; I could piece a basket with cats next to dogs. This vegetable basket is perhaps over-pieced. Still, the concept has potential.

Summer Purses

Thanks once again to Pinterest for showing me a new purse design. This shoulder bag comes from Anna Graham of Noodlehead. I am intrigued with the fabric mix-and-match options of a front panel and side pockets and side panels. The curved and multi-panel construction takes awhile, but I think the result is sophisticated and functional. My new bag this summer is made from Japanese Kokka owls and linen.

Market at the Square

This Saturday is my first farmers' market date of the summer. Every other weekend through August, I'll set up under my tent in the Lincoln Square parking lot and pass the morning people watching and chit-chatting. I spent the winter playing with new fabrics; right now I'm drawn to fabric with letters on it, splashy prints with coordinating circle and stripe patterns, organic cottons and fun home dec-weight prints. I made a number of fabric buckets and baskets to see what sizes are appealing to people. I'm also trying pillows this year. Scrappy with home-made binding and a small pocket for something special, I envision the pillow pictured useful for Tooth Fairy visits.