Tag: Pillowcases

Final College Pillowcase Tally

Well, my big plans for pillowcases almost fell apart, but not quite. I sent one last care package and snuck in the last pillowcase. What I didn’t do well was report on my progress. My last update was in January.

September

  • Theme: soft
  • Fabric: Minkee and flannel
  • Theme: Back to School
  • Fabric: Timeless Treasures Fun #2306
September College Pillowcase
September College Pillowcase

September College Pillowcase

Back-to-School Pillowcase
Back-to-School Pillowcase

Back-to-School Pillowcase

As I said in a previous post, I was tempted by a “School Daze” theme and he was ok with the fabric.

October

  • Theme: Halloween
  • Fabric: skeleton fabric by Timeless Treasures for the body. The cuff is an old P&B Fabric.
Halloween Pillowcase for YM
Halloween Pillowcase for YM

Halloween Pillowcase for YM

This is a gimme. Very easy fabric to choose and I am pretty sure the YM will like it.

I also made 3 matching Hallowe’en pillowcases for the YM and his roommates.

November – Done

  • Theme: Thanksgiving
  • Fabric: Timeless Treasures Golden Harvest
Thanksgiving Pillowcase
Thanksgiving Pillowcase

Thanksgiving Pillowcase

As I said, I was disappointed I couldn’t find a cornucopia fabric. I’ll keep looking and perhaps will find one next year.

December

  • Theme: Christmas
  • Fabric: California Christmas (not the real name, but it is something like that)
YM's Christmas Pillowcase
YM’s Christmas Pillowcase

YM’s Christmas Pillowcase

January

I did send him a January care package.

  •  Theme: Pokemon
  • Fabric: Robert Kaufman licensed from Nintendo
Pokemon Pillowcase #2
Pokemon Pillowcase #2

Pokemon Pillowcase #2

February

  • Theme: Valentine’s Day
  • Fabric: Moda

Valentine's College Pillowcase
Valentine’s College Pillowcase
Valentine’s College Pillowcase

I really wanted to send him a Valentine’s themed package, so I made a Valentine’s pillowcase and will send it off towards the end of the month. I think the grey (Julie’s suggestion) makes it not too sweet. The color is heading towards pinky red. The original theme below will have to carry over to another month or end up as a gift for one of the nephews.

March

  • Theme: St. Patrick’s Day?
  • Fabric: ?

I was lazy and too cheap to buy St. Patrick’s Day fabric, so he didn’t get a pillowcase in March. It’s an opportunity for next year.

April

I ended up sending him a Viewmaster pillowcase that I had made from Cotton and Steel fabrics with his Easter box. The Easter fabrics were all too sweet, pastel and cutesy.

I still have the Angry Birds fabric. I’ll have to see what I do with that. It could end up as a donation quilt. The YM didn’t seem very excited about the motif, so that might be the best use.

While I may not do an official pillowcase tally again, since I have no plans for making more pillowcases, I have some ideas for pillowcases as gifts and will show you those. I am particularly interested in making pillowcases for a couple of the YM’s friends and for two of my nephews. I went and visited the nephews and they have their Christmas pillowcases on their bed. That is a sure sign they could use more.

College Pillowcase Tally #3

We are well into the school year and, as you know, the YM is back at school after the Christmas break. He is finishing up week 1 of the semester. He talked about taking an extra pillow back to school with him. That was the only thing he felt he was missing.

September– Done

  • Theme: soft
  • Fabric: Minkee and flannel
  • Theme: Back to School
  • Fabric: Timeless Treasures Fun #2306

September College Pillowcase

September College Pillowcase

Back-to-School Pillowcase

Back-to-School Pillowcase

As I said in my previous post, I was tempted by a “School Daze” theme, but I didn’t want to send him something that will embarrass him. I also want him to use the pillowcases. I decided to make him a really soft pillowcase, which I did. Then In Eureka, I saw the Timeless Treasures fabric. I texted him a picture and he approved so I bought some fabric and made the pillowcase when I got home from dropping him off. It went into his first care package.

October – Done

  • Theme: Halloween
  • Fabric: skeleton fabric by Timeless Treasures for the body. The cuff is an old P&B Fabric.

Halloween Pillowcase for YM

Halloween Pillowcase for YM

This is a gimme. Very easy fabric to choose and I am pretty sure the YM will like it.

I also made 3 matching Hallowe’en pillowcases for the YM and his roommates.

November – Done

  • Theme: Thanksgiving
  • Fabric: Timeless Treasures Golden Harvest

Thanksgiving Pillowcase

Thanksgiving Pillowcase

I was disappointed I couldn’t find a cornucopia fabric, but this fabric looks very Thanksgiving-y.

December

  • Theme: Christmas
  • Fabric: not purchased

YM's Christmas Pillowcase

YM’s Christmas Pillowcase

January – Done – UPDATE!

I didn’t send this off to him, though I still have time if I want to send him a January care package.

  •  Theme: Pokemon
  • Fabric: Robert Kaufman licensed from Nintendo

Pokemon Pillowcase #2

Pokemon Pillowcase #2

I had the fabric on my ‘to be ironed’ pile and the YM saw it. I didn’t say that it was for a pillowcase for him and asked him if he would want a pillowcase out of it. He, very tactfully, said I should make one for someone else, so I made one with red fabric for the body and a cuff from the Pokemon fabric. I have another pillowcase with a Pokemon body and think I will give it to his cousin, who is 11.

February – DONE – UPDATE!

  • Theme: Valentine’s Day
  • Fabric: Moda
Valentine's College Pillowcase
Valentine’s College Pillowcase

I really wanted to send him a Valentine’s themed package, so I made a Valentine’s pillowcase and will send it off towards the end of the month. I think the grey (Julie’s suggestion) makes it not too sweet. The color is heading towards pinky red..The original theme below will have to carry over to another month or end up as a gift for one of the nephews.

  • Theme: Video games
  • Fabric: Angry Birds

March

  • Theme: St. Patrick’s Day?
  • Fabric: ?

April

  • Theme: Easter?
  • Fabric: ?

May – UPDATE!

The YM will be home in May (the dorms close on 4/29), so no pillowcase for May.

Valentine’s Pillowcase

Valentine's College Pillowcase
Valentine’s College Pillowcase

I just had to go with the Valentine’s Day theme for February. I know I made a Pokemon pillowcase*, but I saw the Valentine’s Day fabric at The Granary and couldn’t resist.

I know the fabric is probably a little embarrassing for a boy, but he can give it to one of his girl friends, if he doesn’t like it. I have an idea to buy some of those heart shaped candies and some grammar school cartoon themed Valentine’s as well as a heart shaped box of candy for his February care package. It is kind of fun to create and send off care packages. I wonder how many bags of pretzels has hoarded under his bed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Nota bene: From the previous college Pillowcase Tally Post, you will see that I intended the Pokemon pillowcase for January and had Angry Birds fabric in mind for February. In my mind, I switched Pokemon to February. I decided not to send him a care package in January since he would still be home for the beginning of it. I might change my mind.

Gift Post #4: Fish Pillowcases

My dad is getting ready to retire soon. He plans on driving around the country pulling a trailer to visit his friends and fish. He loves to fish. He doesn’t want to acquire stuff, so pillowcases are something he can use on his travels and will be theme appropriate.  I have been, since he told me of his plans, trying to get him gifts that are either use-up-able, useful for a trip or he can use to pack.

Fish Pillowcases
Fish Pillowcases

I had forgotten about my well laid plans. When I washed some fabric last weekend, I found the fish fabric I had bought a few months ago to make my dad pillowcases for Christmas. Deadlines were getting short and I knew I would have to be quick, so, after finishing the Sew Together Bag, I got down to pillowcase business.

By now I have made so many pillowcases that they went together quickly. the biggest problem is picking out cuff fabric and I was able to find and use the last bit of yellow Reflections fabric for the cuffs. I think it adds a bit of cheerfulness to otherwise drab fabric.

 

More Christmas Pillowcases

Red Lights Pillowcases
Red Lights Pillowcases

I was concerned about the extra fabric I bought for Christmas pillowcases. I decided to make two pillowcases for two additional gifts. Can’t tell you for whom they are intended, but I’ll tell you later.

The cuff colors were hard, again, and not an exact match to the colors in the main fabric, but they mimic the hues in the fabric.

I worry about the solids being too much, but I made a decision and I am sticking to it. The colors for Christmas are definitely unconventional, but I think they work and don’t scream Christmas.

Christmas Pillowcase Tally #3

This third tally runs hard on the heels of my last Christmas Pillowcase update. I won’t keep you guessing, if you didn’t read that post. I finished the task I set out for myself. I am finished with the Christmas pillowcases.

Here is the grand total of what I have finished:

  • SIL#1: 4 kids, 2 spouses/SOs
    • 3rd oldest nephew + SO (Dear Santa theme – DONE for both)
    • Oldest niece + Fiance (flannel – DONE for fiance, lights with white background theme – DONE)
    • Nephew (Christmas in So Cal theme – DONE)
    • Youngest niece (black Gingerbread and Toy Shop theme – DONE)
  • SIL#2: 3 kids, 1 spouse, 2 great niece-phews
    • Oldest nephew + spouse + 2 kids (old fashioned Christmas with green cuffs for nephew and niece-in-law: DONE, 2 kids (Olaf for boy, Anna/Elsa for girl): DONE)
    • 2d oldest nephew (present theme – DONE)
    • middle of the pack nephew (blue lights theme – DONE)
  • BIL #1: 1 kid
    • 3rd youngest nephew (DONE)
  • Young Man (Christmas in So Cal theme – DONE)
  • SIL#3: 2 kids
    • Middle niece (DONE) –Gingerbread house theme
    • middle of the pack nephew – 4th youngest ( Nutcracker theme – DONE)
  • BIL #2: 2 kids
    • 2d youngest nephew (DONE)
    • Youngest nephew (DONE)

TOTAL NEEDED: 3

Again, I AM DONE except for the mailing.

Last Batch of Christmas Pillowcases

I finished the last Christmas pillowcases. Hooray!!! I just sat down and did a bit of sewing one day. I had about an hour so I only finished a couple, then I finished the stragglers a few days later. Voila! I am done.

Dear Santa Pillowcase
Dear Santa Pillowcase
Dear Santa Pillowcase
Dear Santa Pillowcase

The two Dear Santa Pillowcases are some of my favorites. On the left will go to Raymond, the SO of my 3rd oldest nephew and the right will go to the actual nephew. I hope they don’t look too girly.

I really like the sense of humor that Cotton & Steel has with some of their designs. I also like the 50s look of the design. I am waiting for some Christmas designs that include the Shiny Brite ornaments I like so much.

Blue LIghts Pillowcase
Blue Lights Pillowcase

The blue lights pillowcase is similar to the white lights pillowcase I made the other day. This will go to one of the middle nephews (so many nephews!!!). I think the lights might be a little smaller, but I am pretty sure the fabric is from the same line as the white lights pillowcase.

I have more fabric and am tempted to make more pillowcases, but am going to hold off. I had some fun just doing some tests the other day and want to keep that feeling alive.

Now, guess what I am worrying about? Packing up and mailing all of these things out to the Niece-phews! Sheesh! I have over a month and can do it a little at a time.

Another Batch

Kiera's Toy Shops & Gingerbread Houses
Kiera’s Toy Shops & Gingerbread Houses

I only really had Sunday to sew. I am still not focusing well and I decided to work on pillowcases for awhile in the morning. Well, the morning turned into an almost all day marathon of pillowcase making to get the Christmas project done once and for all.

As I have said the hardest part is picking the cuff fabrics. I think I need to do that when I buy future pillowcase fabric. We all know that is not going to happen since I don’t plan that far ahead. A girl can dream, though.

About midday I had all the bodies and cuffs cut and pinned. One thing I learned is that I need to cut my initial pieces (you know the ones I cut out of each piece of new yardage) up the side of the fabric, especially the half yards, because if I cut across the bottom, the half yards won’t be long enough to make a cuff. That cuts down my cuff options. Live and learn.

Phil's presents
Phil’s presents

I methodically sewed and this time I used an applique foot so I wouldn’t have to guess on the initial seams. Still, sewing the final seams was less ideal, because of that foot. I used a wider seam allowance. I am sure it will be fine, but it makes me want to invent a pillowcase foot.

Some of the fabrics had purple in them so I chose purple/lavender cuffs. It is an odd choice, but I think it works.

I made two of the gift pillowcases (2d photo in this post) as I had a lot of the gift fabric and figured I might as well, since I didn’t want to keep the fabric for anything. I am not sure where I got it and why I got so much of it, but I have enough to make some gift bags, too.

White Lights Pillowcase
White Lights Pillowcase

One of the pillowcases I made is really one of my favorites. I like that print. I actually have it with blue and red backgrounds as well.

This one is for my oldest niece. I didn’t have enough to make two with the same fabric, which I would have done if I had enough fabric. I already made one for my niece’s fiance’ and I can make more later.

I have two more pillowcases prepared, but I don’t know if I will get them done until next weekend. I’d like to, but we will see.

College Pillowcase Tally #2

September– Done

  • Theme: soft
  • Fabric: Minkee and flannel
  • Theme: Back to School
  • Fabric: Timeless Treasures Fun #2306
September College Pillowcase
September College Pillowcase
Back-to-School Pillowcase
Back-to-School Pillowcase

As I said in my previous post, I was tempted by a “School Daze” theme, but I didn’t want to send him something that will embarrass him. I also want him to use the pillowcases. I decided to make him a really soft pillowcase, which I did. Then In Eureka, I saw the Timeless Treasures fabric. I texted him a picture and he approved so I bought some fabric and made the pillowcase when I got home from dropping him off. It went into his first care package.

October – Done

  • Theme: Halloween
  • Fabric: skeleton fabric by Timeless Treasures for the body. The cuff is an old P&B Fabric.
Halloween Pillowcase for YM
Halloween Pillowcase for YM

This is a gimme. Very easy fabric to choose and I am pretty sure the YM will like it.

I also made 3 matching Hallowe’en pillowcases for the YM and his roommates.

November – Done

  • Theme: Thanksgiving
  • Fabric: Timeless Treasures Golden Harvest
Thanksgiving Pillowcase
Thanksgiving Pillowcase

I was disappointed I couldn’t find a cornucopia fabric, but this fabric looks very Thanksgiving-y.

December

  • Theme: Christmas
  • Fabric: not purchased
YM's Christmas Pillowcase
YM’s Christmas Pillowcase

January – Done

  •  Theme: Pokemon
  • Fabric: Robert Kaufman licensed from Nintendo
Pokemon Pillowcase #2
Pokemon Pillowcase #2

I had the fabric on my ‘to be ironed’ pile and the YM saw it. I didn’t say that it was for a pillowcase for him and asked him if he would want a pillowcase out of it. He, very tactfully, said I should make one for someone else, so I made one with red fabric for the body and a cuff from the Pokemon fabric. I have another pillowcase with a Pokemon body and think I will give it to his cousin, who is 11.

February

  • Theme: Video games
  • Fabric: Angry Birds

March

  • Theme: ?
  • Fabric: ?

April

  • Theme: Easter?
  • Fabric: ?

May

  • Theme: Cinco de Mayo?
  • Fabric: ?

More Christmas Pillowcases

Sean's Pillowcase
Sean’s Pillowcase

I made more progress on Christmas pillowcases last week. It works very well for me if I cut the length I need from the Christmas fabric, then find some cuff fabric, pin everything and stack a bunch up, then sew on the weekends.

That is what I did with the Hallowe’en pillowcases and these two Christmas pillowcases.

These are fun. I love the California (could be Aussie/NZ as well, I guess) Christmas theme. That camper is super fun as well.

I bought enough to make two pillowcases and decided to give on to the YM and the other to the cousin who always hung out with him. A little matchy, matchy, I know, but too bad. They can make their own pillowcases if they don’t like it. 😉

YM's Christmas Pillowcase
YM’s Christmas Pillowcase

Yes, I used some Pearl Bracelets for the YM’s case. If I had had some Kona Ash, that would have worked, but I didn’t, so Pearl Bracelets it was.

Hallowe’en Pillowcases

College Hallowe'en Pillowcase #1
College Hallowe’en Pillowcase #1
College Hallowe'en Pillowcase #1
College Hallowe’en Pillowcase #1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got a bug in my ear to make Hallowe’en pillowcases for the YM and his roommates. I bought some panels at the Fabric Depot when I was in Portland. I spent some time on Thursday finally finishing them. They are ready to go.

I am not exactly sure why I decided on panels, but they are bold and not cutesy, which is good for boys….uh Young Men.

The top one came out pretty well. I like how the orange and black stripe lined up pretty well along the edge.

College Hallowe'en Pillowcase #2
College Hallowe’en Pillowcase #2
College Hallowe'en Pillowcase #2
College Hallowe’en Pillowcase #2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second set is much the same as the first. The orange stripe came out pretty well on this one, too.

I bought about 6 sets of panels as I needed two sets for each pillowcase. Sadly, one panel was just a bit short of the 27″ measurement I use for the pillowcases.

College Hallowe'en Pillowcase #3
College Hallowe’en Pillowcase #3
College Hallowe'en Pillowcase #3
College Hallowe’en Pillowcase #3

I like the way the skull is placed on the back of the 3rd pillowcase.

They are all made from the same fabric and not appreciably different. I don’t know if they will use them. It will be a little connection to the YM after college. Or they will throw them out and that will be that.

Another Christmas Pillowcase

Suddenly it is September and I feel like Christmas is looming. Like a giant black raven waiting to peck my eyes out.

Anna and Elsa Pillowcase
Anna and Elsa Pillowcase

Fortunately, I want to stay away from nasty imagery so I went full force in pillowcase making department. The Anna and Elsa pillowcase is now done, which means I can pack up one family’s pillowcases and prepare to send them off around Thanksgiving.

I also cut two other Christmas pillowcases and 3 Hallowe’en pillowcases. I have a number of other Christmas fabric in the pipeline ready to go.

I cut a piece of the Anna and Elsa fabric for FOTY 2015, but really tried to avoid the faces. They aren’t creepy or anything, but I don’t want Anna or Elsa looking at me until FOTY 2015 disintegrates.

Portland Pillowcase Progress

I couldn’t resist the alliteration. College Pillowcase Progress did not have the same ring to it. Clearly, I am easily amused.

Back-to-School Pillowcase
Back-to-School Pillowcase

I made three pillowcases for the Young Man, though one may go to his cousin. First, was the Back-to-School Pillowcase, which I almost didn’t make until I found the fabric. It wasn’t babyish and he approved it. I talked about the fabric the other day in the Random Bits and Bobs post. The fabric is still cartoony, but ok enough for him not to be embarrassed.

I thought yellow would be a good cuff and found this Reflections yardage, into which I had NEVER cut (bad, Jaye, bad!). It is a really good yellow and that is perhaps why I was saving it. Off it went. I cut a piece for FOTY 2015, so I can remember I had it for a million years before I used it.

I did send the Back-to-School pillowcase along with the Minkee pillowcase off in his first care package. He hasn’t received it yet, that he has told me so that is more news for later.

Next on the pile was a Pokemon fabric. I think I mentioned that the YM saw it and generously thought that his cousin would like a pillowcase out of it. He said that he has so many great pillowcases already. Hhhmm.

Pokemon Pillowcase #1
Pokemon Pillowcase #1

It was a fabric I chose for one of the months where themes for the College Pillowcase Project were difficult, such as February. His pronouncement put a monkey wrench in my plan. I wasn’t planning on using Pokemon fabric in a quilt, so I made a pillowcase and figured I could decide where it would go later. If nothing else, it would be a donation. It turned out that I had enough for a pillowcase and a cuff, so I made two and one will go to the YM anyway.

Again, I used the Reflections fabric for the cuff. It is a similar color to the Pikachu character and it was off the shelf, so handy.

In looking at the fabric, I can see why the YM might not want it as a pillowcase in his dorm. I am having, and have had, a hard time getting my heart and brain to realize that he is a grown up now.

Pokemon Pillowcase #2
Pokemon Pillowcase #2

The Pokemon Pillowcase #2 uses a solid as the body of the pillowcase and just a Pokemon cuff. Hopefully, this bit of Pokemon fabric will not embarrass him. If it does, he doesn’t have to use it.

Festive Trees, Makower UK
Festive Trees, Makower UK

Next I want to make him a Christmas pillowcase. I found some festive and not too trite or girly fabric that may be his Christmas pillowcase. There is a lot of pink, though, so I am on the fence about a cuff. Not pink, for sure. Perhaps that gold shown in the center tree or the light green right above it towards the top. If it doesn’t end up as suitable for the YM, then I can use it for another niece or nephew. There is some prep, but this pillowcase could be a leaders and enders project as well.

Pillowcase Progress

September College Pillowcase
September College Pillowcase

After returning from Philadelphia, I got back into the groove by cutting some pieces for pillowcases. I made three. The first is a college pillowcase. I used Minkee, which I told you I was going to try.

The Young Man is quite kinesthetic and I think having something soft will be good for stress.

I have never used Minkee before and this was a challenge. First of all, I only had a small piece of flannel so I had to cram the Minkee pillowcase body into it before sewing. I use the burrito method I have discussed a number of times. The quilt shop had a guide for using Minkee, which said I should use a 1/2″ seam allowance and a walking foot. I pinned the flannel really well to the Minkee and that worked to keep the Minkee stable while I sewed. It was difficult to cut straight initially so after sewing, I trimmed the body straight again. I hope I didn’t trim to much, but we will see.

Again, I pinned the body of the pillowcase really well and sewed. Then I used a knit stitch to do the French Seam to finish the case.

This isn’t an instant success guarantee. We’ll have to see if the case is too small and if the bumps on the Minkee bug his face when he sleeps. Still, I am pleased. I have a September pillowcase and something for the care package. I also got some experience with Minkee.