Adventures in Decorating

Fourteen years ago this was a stylish and comfortable denim sectional.  And then came Matt, Sam (our German Shepherd), Sara,  Bob (our Shepherd Chow Retriever), Molly (our Shepherd, Rottweiler), and Bo (our Chocolate Lab.), Daisy and Sunshine (Sara's bunnies) and countless movies nights and days dedicated to sports and snacks.  It has pretty much been the center of most of our indoor activities.  I fought the dogs for years.  Actually, Sam wasn't on the couch much - it never had a good view of the door.  Eventually, I gave up - they would sneak onto the couch as soon as we went to bed or went out the door for the day.  So, through all of the wear and tear, I washed those seat covers dozens of times -  going through gallons of Spray and Wash!


A few months ago, it finally gave way.  The cushions split, just like a well worn pair of jeans do.  First one, then the next within a few weeks of each other.  The pressure was on.  I knew that a new sectional was not in the budget.  We dreamed of beautiful leather sofas.  And then the thoughts of teenagers, nachos, and soda would quickly bring me back to reality.   I knew it was my job to restore our living room to a comfortable haven.  I began digging through all of my upholstery fabric that I have been "collecting" for this very occasion.  I have always wanted a sofa that had the look of patchwork quilt.  Different fabrics on different parts - a shabby chic look - country style.  French Country style.  A few yards of this and a few yards of that -  all sewn together in a washable slip cover.    (I have no idea why this is in blue font)

These are the fabric for the cushions.  I put them each on the longarm and quilted them to add some durability and softness.  Plus, I got a lot of practice on a few patterns I had wanted to try out before putting them on a quilt!  The red toile is a linen by Waverly that I bought when it was on sale at Home Fabrics for $2 per yard.  The red and cream checks is a cotton by Waverly.  The red is a brushed denim which turned out to be my favorite after quilting.

I've gotten all of the pieces cut out and the red piping sewn on the top and bottom of one of the cushions.  Sewing those huge quilted pieces is quite the work-out!  It's  a wrestling match trying to keep them straight going thought the machine! So far, I've come out on top!   Tomorrow I will sew in the zippers and put it all together - the cushion covers, anyway.  The slip cover for the body of the sofa will have to wait until this weekend.

My surprise finally arrived - I sent theses two scarves to Amy in Colorado.  I thought she could use a couple of Minky hugs :)
There's nothing like some Minky therapy to smooth the wrinkles out of your day!    One with daisies (Amy likes daisies)




and one that has more of a sophisticated look with an embossed paisley pattern.  Minky makes awesome pillowcases!  I made one for Sara.  Then one for myself - which Fred kept trying to take for himself, so I made one for him.  Then Matt kept trying to run off with our pillows, so I made him one!

 

This is the quilt that we started in my Monday quilting class.  I had to send a screen shot from my phone because the file wouldn't open on my desk top computer (???)  I'm using scraps, but of course, I had to pick up a few fat quarters to go with what I had .  I didn't have the right blue, and I was short on browns and tans.  And a new red thrown in just made it all come together :)  I guess that defeats the purpose of a scrap quilt, doesn't it?  Oh well...I'll just have to live with a few more scraps - to make another scrap quilt!  This is exactly why you can't make just one quilt - you never use all of the fabric and the scraps just keep multiplying!  And no, I'm not a fabric hoarder - I have been known to share my scraps on occasion, and I throw away anything smaller than 1.5 " ;)

I found an awesome website that has more patterns than I could make in my lifetime - all made from scraps!  Quiltville.com  Check it out - there's lots of inspiration to be found there!