more stitching fun

Last April or May (I think), the editors at Somerset Home sent a few different artists a new, plain, pillowcase from Ikea and gave us free reign to create whatever we chose with it.  As I was bedridden at the time (the back), I decided to stitch on my pillowcase. I set out to make a cover for my sewing machine. Once I was able to get up and about again, I trimmed the case to the correct size for my sewing machine and added a pretty trim to the bottom. Sew simple (ha ha). Here is the finished project:

 

Since embroidery seems to be enjoying a resurgence in blog-land, I thought I'd offer a free embroidery pattern inspired by this design.

Download the free Sew Sweet PDF here and then  print it out, trace onto fabric, and stitch away. If you do end up making something, I'd love to see a photo so post a link in the comments so we can all admire your work!

If you want to see what all the other artists did with their pillowcases, check out the latest issue of Somerset Life.

 

The article is called "Pillow Talk". Clever.

 

And if you're looking for stitching sampler inspiration, be sure to check out Sandra Everertson's beautiful antique textiles book in the making in this issue as well.

 

Happy stitching!

Comments

[Berlin]

This is beautiful! Being the daughter of a bead and floss embroiderer and g.daughter of a seamstress, I decided to give the ol' needle and thread a try. & I love it!
Beautiful project, thanks for sharing :)

[anji gallanos]

Gorgeous. I have so many beautiful pillowcases lovingly stiched by my grandmother and greatgrandmother. I always wanted to make some myself..and have a generational set. I think this might just inspire me.

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Oh, Mlle Magpie just LOVES your pillowcase sewing machine cover! One day, I do fantasize of making one like yours for my new sewing machine. Thanks so much for sharing!

[ValerieC]

I started my own "sew sampler" after I saw yours. I've never attempted anything like this but, I love it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pillow cases! Your so talented!

[Peggy]

Yummy loveliness - thanks for sharing the pattern.

[Dagmar Leuenberger-Swift]

Thanks so much for sharing your pattern. That is a great use for a pillow case and I love the look of your sewing machine case.
Hope that your back feels better now.
Dagmar

[Deb]

I love your embellished pillowcase Pam! I've embroidered lots for our beds over the years (I used to tell my children they were pretty sheets for cozy sleeps) :-}
Thanks so much for this pattern. I'm a bird lover so this pattern really appeals to me & my sewing machine needs some covering up too :-)

[Cindy (Junque Art)]

Pam super cute sewing machine cover! Thanks so much for the free stitch pattern. So cute and we just started a stitching group so I know what I will be working on!

[jerusalem]

I think I may die from the cuteness!

[andrea]

Oh my goodness your pillowcase/sewing machine cover is so beautiful!I love the color choices.Thanks for the pattern...

[Linda Richter]

Thank you, Pam! You are amazing. This will look great over my sewing machine. I am starting right away!

[racheel brooks]

I absolutely love this project! Thank you so much for sharing. It is just adorable.

[P. Gasparino]

Oooooooooooh....Can eyes drool ???? LOL... I got my issue the other day and that little bird is just a dream. So sweet - thanks for the inspiration. A nice breath of spring in the frozen north !

[Peggy Lee Baker]

Wow Pam, it's beautifully lovely! Thanks for sharing the pattern now I am going to make one for my sewing machine, oh I can't wait to get started. I have some old pillow cases I have been saving for a project now I will use them for this.
Today has been a great day on blogland, lots of inspiration I am so happy.
time to create
Peggy Lee
Whitefield, NH

[Kim Caldwell]

So wonderful Pam! Thank you for sharing your art with us. . .

Hugs, Kim

[Geralyn Gray]

I love love your style..........Everytime I go to B&N for the newest Somerset they don't have it. I'll have to try again today!!!!!!!!
I want the Journal issue too.....Congratulations on the cover too!!!!!!!!!!!

[Emily Henderson]

I really want to learn to do this. I just love what you have created!

[luckygirlgifts]

Thank You for the patterns. Your pillow case is wonderful!! Absolutely awe inspiring! I actually gasped when I scrolled down.
thanks again for your beautiful inspiration.
Cari B.

[edina]

Love the sewing machine cover - thanks so much for sharing the pattern!

[susan]

I love what you did for the project. It is just darling. I think I'm going to get out my vintage embriodery threads and decorate an old pillowcase......thank you for sharing your amazing artistry with us!

[Phyllis]

Hi Pam,

Thanks SO much for the beautiful embroidery patterns!! I've loved embroidery since I was little and am fortunate enough to have two pillow covers that my grandmother made. I should take a picture of them and post on my blog.

I love your blog site - thanks again!

[cori]

you are such a clever little girl. i hope when i grow up i'm half as talented as you. ;)

[Janelle]

How cool! And how generous!

I'm giving away a Somerset Home on my blog--maybe I'll have to give away a Somerset Life next!

[psmullican]

Thanks for sharing your adorable pattern-it is truly "sew sweet"! Wondering if you would do a tutorial on the coffee filter pom poms. Not sure how you assembled them to make them symetrical. The art teacher at school and I have been trying to figure it out! :)

[Tammy Gilley]

How cute is that?!? I need to make one! Again, you cute thing, you've inspired me. xoxo

[Sandra]

Since I closed my little home and garden shop in November, I have been getting my creative energy filled again by stitching! I am so loving your last posts and am going to go get Somerset this afternoon!!!! I am going nuts with your sewing machine cover...you know how something gets you SO EXCITED it makes you crazy and you want to JUST DO IT!!!!!!????? Well I am so thankful to you for passing on patterns, I am going to get started on one this weekend. Your stitching is really good too! :)

[Kelly Jones]

Pam, I'm a faithful fan of your work! I'm always amazed and inspired by your projects! I just finished reading the latest issue of SL, and have gone back to your Sewing machine cover pics like stalker since I opened the mag! I don't sew or do embroidery, but I feel compelled to teach myself when I see your amazing work! Thank you, Thank you for the pattern and more pics of the project! All I can say- In the words of Rachel Zoe- "I die, I D-I-E!!!"

Thanks!

-Kelly

[Dorry]

Dear Pam,

Love you blog, have been folowing it for a few months. Gives me lots of inspiration for my quiltshop. I realy adore your stitchery patterns.
I also put some vintage wallpaper on the walls of my daughters rooms after I have seen you wall-cupboard.
Take a look at my site:

www.quilt-it.nl

Bye,

Dorry from the Netherlands

[Elyse]

that is really beautiful and sweet.

[AnnaMae]

wow! that is so darling!!! I want to make one now. where did you find the bird? or did you make that too? :)

[robin]

Oh my gosh! Between the new issue of Somerset Life and this post, I am so inspired to get back to embroidering again! How beautiful all these pieces are!! And the pillowcase sewing machine cover was jut what I needed to decide how to make a much needed cover for my serger!! thanks so much for the inspiration!

[Noël]

Thank you so much for the beautiful pattern. I've had bird cages on the brain lately and I can't wait to try this!

[Lisa Johnson]

Your machine cover is just lovely! Thanks for sharing it, now I'm inspired to do something similar.

Lisa

[wendy humphreys]

Thank you so much for sharing the pattern.
The pillow is just beautiful.
It's been quite a while but I'm going to
try to pick up the needle and thread again.
Thanks again for the continued inspiration.
~xo~
Wendy

[Jess]

Thank you so much for the patterns, I can't wait to try them! I love how your piece turned out, it's very lovely!

[Ulla]

Pam, I love your pillow/cover! Every machine should be so gifted!
Hugs
U.

[Claire Selby]

I love the bird cage design! You have sparked my embroidery again thanks to the pretty freebie!

[jennifer Norman]

The sewing machine cover is too cute! And the colors are perfect!
You are so talented!!

[nadine]

oohhh...I just fell in love with your sewing machine cover .... (Can you love a sewing machine cover?) and now am so inspired now to make my own, although I am not so sure it will be nearly as sweet as yours.

& thank you so much for the cute embroidery patterns, I adore them so much I posted about them today on my blog little lovelies, & I have of course linked back to your gorgeous site. Thank you once again.

x nadine
little lovelies

[Theresa (Miss Charlotte)]

Thank you for this! I would have to say that this cover is far more attractive than my plastic case. Looks like I have a new project for the end of summer....Cheers!

[Pat]

Absolutely lovely! I am in the process of making my cover- my machine is too chubby for a pillowcase to fit over it, so I purchased some fabric and made a custom size "pillowcase" to get me started- looks great. I am wondering what the pretty little flowers are made of and where I might find them? They don't look like the typical paper flowers I see at the craft store, and they are beautiful. Is the ribbon vintage or a new purchase? Thanks so much!