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Oooh, what a lovely day it has been today! I haven’t spent a whole lot of time on the computer, but what I have spent, has been very good for the ego – holy cow, people! Those buttons I showed weren’t even finished yet, and I’ve gotten so many complements here, and on flickr, and I even got a mention on Polymer Clay Daily. I say again, holy cow! Thank you. I’m blushing, you know.
So would you like to see the finished buttons up close?
I liked them so much in this little dish, I almost didn’t want to use them in anything! Good thing I got over that, though, because five of those buttons had another destiny. There was a pillow waiting to be made…
Initially, I had intended to do the whole pillow in a single fabric, but it occurred to me that it might be rather busy that way. I replaced a section of the mums fabric with some natural linen, and I think the effect is nice. The buttons have a chance to really stand out, too.
I have to admit I cheated in one regard. I just cannot for the life of me figure out how to make a button hole. My machine is supposed to be able to do it, but despite my best efforts, I always end up with a pile of mangled thread. The Pillow Book has a section that explains using a zigzag stitch to make your own buttonholes, and that sounded like something I could handle. Thank goodness I had the foresight to try it on a piece of scrap fabric because I couldn’t seem to make that look good either.
I considered using snap closures behind the big buttons like I do for my handbags, but I would have had to go snap shopping first. If you know me at all, you know that putting off a nearly-complete project for a few hours so I can run out and get supplies is not high on my list. Instead, I cheated, and I know that this may blow up on me down the road, particularly if I ever launder this pillow cover, but for now it’s an acceptable solution: I put a strip of stiff fusible interfacing on the back of the linen where the buttonholes belonged, and then I just snipped through both layers to create holes. I’m hoping the interfacing will keep it all from fraying. Time will tell.
This is the back of the pillow, pretty in its own right, and now that I know how simple it is to make pillow covers (assuming I’m not complicating it with buttons and such) I predict some throw pillow makeovers around here in the not too distant future. Neil will be happy. He’s had it in for a particular pink pillow ever since I bought it 
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Nice work on these buttons!
You know you can always hand stitch the buttonholes. Sounds difficult but it’s not. I used to do it all the time with my old sewing machine that had no zig zag stitch.
The buttons are beautiful – and so is the pillow you created!
WOW!!!! That has to be the prettiest pillow I’ve ever seen. I absolutely adore it!
Great buttons – they finish off the pillow wonderfully! So what if you can’t make buttonholes; you can’t be good at everything!
LOVE those buttons! They really do compliment the pillow nicely.
You could always dab a little Fray Check and straight stitch by machine or hand a couple times to complete the *faux* button holes. IF ya want to. I think it looks fab either way!
See what JaimeM has been blogging about: Freezer Paper Fun!
Oh wow! This came out wonderful! The strip of linen shows off the buttons beautifully! You’re right, they would have been lost on that print! Great job, you should be proud of yourself : D
I have to ask… Have you had your machine long? A friend of mine got a machine for Christmas and the place she got it from offered free lessons. She learned how to make button holes and how to use her machine to it’s fullest potential. Good luck! The buttons are gorgeous!
Donna
I’ve had it for just over a year, and I bought it at Sears – I don’t think they offered any lessons. I’m thinking about seeing what my local fabric store offers, for some of those more “scary” things, like buttonholes, zippers, and understanding patterns.
Beautiful buttons and they compliment that fabric perfectly! I love the pillow also! I wish I lived in a house full of beautiful creations like these! Are you adopting?
Another great use of your gorgeous buttons! I love the fabric – I have it in the green and yellow colorway and it’s one of those that I hesitate to cut into.
Oh man! I love that fabric! I love the buttons and I want that pillow! I’m supposed to be on a spending freeze – I have to stop visiting here and getting so many great ideas LOL
I love that pillow, and your buttons are wonderful! Love your blog.
WOW – that pillow turned out beautiful! I got my bag last week – thank you so much I just LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I am getting a lot of compliments on the bag, and of course the matching button. I may have to commission you to make a bigger version so I can have a cool diaper bag in december
See what Jen has been blogging about: Dock-a-doo-doo?!?!?!?
I might be able to handle that
I’m so glad you like it!
Thanks, everybody for the sweetness surrounding my buttons & the pillow. You’re encouraging me to make more!
Those are lovely indead! I love how you match the colors of the fabric. Great work lady, go on!
Giusy
This pillow is so lovely. The fabric is gorgeous and the solid linen really sets it off with the buttons.
Thank you! Nearly two years later, and it’s still one of my favorite bedroom accessories.