Either I just saved myself a bundle, or else I just completed the world’s ugliest crafts project.
I was trying to make some cute little pillows, but with more muted tones. No need to frighten the wildlife, right? I sewed in the way I usually do (pedal to the metal and going by the logic that patterns are for pussies), and ended up with sloppy, oversized prototypes.
Obviously, the white circle needs to be much smaller, and keep in mind that these prototypes are much bigger than what I’m planning to make for gifts. Dre and I don’t have a couch, so we needed big versions of the pillows for visitors to sit uponst.
…But are they just too ugly? Would receiving one of these make you say, “Oh! I…just what I, uh…they’re just, um, perfect for…uh, cleaning up oil spills in the garage!” Are these pillows the sewing equivalent of my cookies from last fall? I tried to make them styley, but I think maybe they just ended up retrogusting.
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
You're reading a page from the archives. Check the homepage for current content.
Tara
November 25th, 2002 at 7:42 pm
To be completely honest, I dig ‘em. However, the round one is fairly reminiscent of a large egg on a plate… so maybe the white circle could stand to be a little smaller.
Otherwise, they look pretty cool.
paisley
November 25th, 2002 at 7:45 pm
i like um.
Ariel
November 25th, 2002 at 7:57 pm
Yeah, I think I might reverse the colors on the round one to avoid that “eggy” look.
Imperfectionist
November 25th, 2002 at 9:00 pm
heeeheee, i’m speechless. ;-O you write much better than you sew.
Tara
November 25th, 2002 at 11:19 pm
Regardless, they’re pretty cool. I do like ‘em.
kara
November 25th, 2002 at 11:49 pm
I like them! I think things that are funky and imperfect are much better than uniform perfection.
Bee
November 26th, 2002 at 12:43 am
I’m torn.
Are you going to do the ‘real’(not ‘demo’) pillows in the beige b/w scheme or are you going to make them in colors?
The beige is sort of imperfect in a 80s zen sort of way.
Yes homespun, but homespun is comforting. Which is good. Pillows are comforting. It works.
If you’re doing the colors, they should be a little less homespun a little more cookie cutter.
I don’t know.. check out the Boiler, they’ll know.
http://www.theboiler.com
matt
November 26th, 2002 at 3:11 am
They’re kind of ugly, but in the way that an ugly dog is just soooo cute, I like em. The round one looks like a gorilla breast, like something you might see in a donky kong game. I work nights, my mind wanders, gimme a break.
angelala
November 26th, 2002 at 6:03 am
look: you made them! it doesn’t matter if they are completely perfect or ugly or too round or whatever! b/c you put your time and energy into them i’m certain that each of the recipients will be delighted!
ps - i’m stealing your idea.
anne
November 26th, 2002 at 7:37 am
i’ve seen worse home-made crafts.
keep at it and i’m sure you’ll get the hang of it!
Ariel
November 26th, 2002 at 7:59 am
The “real” pillows will be these same brown/beige colors. And yeah: the first ones are always the ugliest, which is why I made sure they were for me. I have lots of “first run” gifts in my possesion.
heather
November 26th, 2002 at 8:00 am
If you’re worried about the square pillow, go to a crafts store and buy a clear plastic quilter’s square. That’ll make sure that the pieces for the square pillow are actually square.
Round is a bit more difficult. I recommend using a huge protractor and a washable pencil to mark the fabric. Cut, sew, and see how that works.
</sewing geek>
heather
November 26th, 2002 at 8:01 am
Very cute, btw.
Ariel
November 26th, 2002 at 8:06 am
I used a huge protractor on the round pillow, but the polar fleece fabric liked to stretch and change shape as I worked with it.
tlc
November 26th, 2002 at 8:10 am
they’re cute like you! nice work.
simone
November 26th, 2002 at 9:23 am
I like them. How about one more smaller square and circle? 3’s are always good for patterns.
erin
November 26th, 2002 at 11:46 am
i like ‘em. out of curiosity what did you stuff them with? large pillows or lots of stuffing?
Leila
November 26th, 2002 at 12:57 pm
I think they are AWESOME and I think that having a cute pillow that your friend MADE is about the best thing ever. Go for it.
DA
November 26th, 2002 at 2:16 pm
GODAMMIT, ARIEL!!! I never knew you sliced open presents before Christmas!
Ariel
November 26th, 2002 at 2:18 pm
Hee hee. Sorry, Dad. They were usually only Becky’s presents. She made it extra easy by writing what was inside the gift on the back of the TO:/FROM: label. I was an awful child. Thankfully I’ve grown in to the daughter you love! …er, right?
Hali
November 27th, 2002 at 6:50 am
They look earth-tone-terrific!
I think by the time they reach the point that you want they to be as gifts they will be ready to go! (a circular comment for a circular or square pillow!)
They also will be cool to give because it will be fun deciding who gets a circle and who gets a square!
Echo
November 27th, 2002 at 12:10 pm
hahah… your dad’s post is hillarious!! I can just picture my Dad saying the same thing!
I remember getting *caught* one christmas eve and haven’t done it since!
Mom
November 27th, 2002 at 1:19 pm
Gosh Ariel, maybe you are taking on being the family’s funky crafts for Christmas person! Well, I’ll take whatever you have to offer, tho I don’t need another pillow–I count about 10 around my little place already! A friend of mine opened a craft store where you can go make things, so I’m going to see if I have better luck by getting some help this year. You’ll see how it turns out…
kim
November 27th, 2002 at 7:19 pm
i think homemade gifts are the shit. and if anyone doesn’t want a pillow i’d have one. heh
Margie
November 27th, 2002 at 8:52 pm
They’re great! The round one REALLY does look like a breast…which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in a pillow, kind of comforting in that my-inner-child-needs-a-hug kind of way.