Quilted Butterfly Pillow - Q2 FAL

This was such a fun project to tackle.  It came about after my mum reached out and specifically asked me to make her a pillow featuring one of the paper pieced butterflies I made. She’s known for her love of throw pillows and I was touched that she wanted my creation featured in her space.

Since the colour scheme requested was the same as my first series, I thought “perfect”, I can use the last of the 3 butterflies I made!

I wanted the focus to be on the butterfly, so I decided to frame it with several layers of boxes using the same colourway as the butterfly. I kept the yellow as the accent colour so it would really pop! 

Once I had the front pieced together, I wanted to add extra detail and dimension with some big stitch hand quilting.  These are the first pearl 8 cotton threads I’ve purchased and I really like the feel and prominence of the stitches.

After I had the central boxes quilted, I took a few days to consider how I wanted the larger exterior purple panels to be quilted.  Anyone else benefit from stepping away and mulling your options?!  I often find it’s while I’m working on another WIP (work in progress) or even doing chores that inspiration will strike and I know exactly how I want to proceed.  That’s precisely what happened with my decision to do 3 lines ¼” apart to help frame the entire pillow.  I just love the effect.

For an additional pop of colour and added detail, I decided to finally give piping a go!  I’ve had the cording in my stash for a few years now (really!) so it was high time I dipped in! And what better time than a pillow for my mum :)

I’m not sure why I held off on piping for so long, it’s really not that complex! And the added detail is really gorgeous.  All it entails is cutting a few bias strips, sandwiching the cording in the fabric and sewing it closed with a zipper foot (or a piping foot if you have one). This piping tutorial by Dana of Made Everyday was really helpful to know how wide to cut my bias strips.

I’m super thrilled with how it all turned out and I’m so happy this is going home to my mum’s place!       

This also happens to be the first completed project I'm sharing for the Q2 Finish A Long!!  The Blue Odyssey quilt is completed with details coming soon!

I would love to know what favourite project you’ve gifted to a loved one?

Happy Sewing!

xo

Shannon

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