In 2 weeks we head back to North Carolina for my little sister’s wedding! I’ve got a lot to get done before then! Sienna and I finished the ring pillow last night. My sister sent me a ton of photos of what she wanted and a box of fabric to match her dress….
Here is how I made it:
I cut two 11″ x 11″ squares.
I sewed all the way around the squares using a 3/8″ seam and leaving a 4 inch gap to turn it inside out (large enough for my hand to fit in as well).
Then I cut two long strips measuring 6″ x 48″ and 10″ x 48″ and folded each in half right sides together. I sewed the long end closed using a 3/8″ seam.
I took the larger of the strips and turned it right sides out (I did not iron because I didn’t want any creases) and tucked one end into the other…..
……and sewed the two ends together using a blind stitch.
With a needle and thread, I sewed a gathering stitch all the way around the fabric “tube”…..
….until it looked like a large ruffled flower:
I took the square pillow and turned it right side out…..
…and marked the center using my disappearing ink pen.
I pinned the large ruffle flower to the center of the pillow attached it by hand-stitching it to the pillow in between the pleats.
I repeated the entire process using the smaller fabric sleeve.
I “smushed” the small ruffled flower into the pleats of the large ruffled flower and hand stitched them together.
I cut a 4″ circle from the fabric….
…..and stitched around the folded edges….
….to form a small yo-yo.
I placed the yo-yo face down into the center of the ruffled flowers and used a blind stitch to attach.
I took the shadow box I made of my grandfather’s military things from our photo wall……
….and used his United States Navy pin for the center. He passed away in 2003 suddenly and I always thought he would live to see all his grandchildren get married.
My sister wanted some bling, so I added some rhinestone buttons.
Here is my little helper before bed handing me buttons as I sew….we look so disheveled, oh wait, we always look disheveled!
Lastly, I sewed a small ribbon between the ruffle layers for the rings to be tied on with.
One ring pillow finished!
Next project: Sienna’s Flower Girl Dress….I’m drowning in tissue paper….this is scary….I can’t even figure out how to cut the fabric!
The pillow is perfect. I love that you used the pin in the center.
loved the ring pillow idea! also dont freak out about the pattern, i dont even know how to read a pattern completely myself. i usually just do trial and error. ive bought a few patterns but i havent completed one dress or shirt yet. im sure sienna's dress will come out looking gorgeous as does the rest of your creations! best of luck to you and your sister.
The pillow turned out perfect! Beautiful 🙂
WOW that is beautiful and you did a terrific job.
Wow, this is absolutely perfect. I wish I could go back in time and have you make mine! It's stunning! And I love that you used your grandfather's Navy pin. Perfect.
HOW beautiful! Your sis is going to L.O.V.E. it!! I love how you tied the Navy pin, that's an extremely special pillow 🙂
I LOVE that you used the Navy pin…that makes it so much more special! What a great sister you are! (-:
Ruffles and pillows should always go together!
And you look darling, not disheveled. You make me laugh.
How exciting! I love weddings. Just not planning for them, that's the hard part. Good luck on the flower girl dress, I'm sure you'll do great. I made two flower girl dresses for my brother's wedding, my daughter and another niece both 18 months old at the time — so cute!
I spy a cute Paul Frank shirt on a cute kid! Great job on the pillow!
YOU.ARE.AMAZING!!!!
what a lucky sister!!!!love the pillow……the style is very romantic…..i live in charlotte north carolina…[email protected]
can't wait to see the dress!!!!!
Your pillow is gorge! Good luck on the flower girl dresses…for once I lucked out and got to BUY tuxes for my boys 🙂 lol
It's funny how similar we are sometimes…my baby sister just got married, too!
Wow! That is gorgeous!
I think you should just make "the sweet dress" with fancy fabric and call it a day. 😉
THanks for the comments on my blog! I checked out the So You Think You Can Craft website and it looks like it's going to be fun…I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Great job on the ring pillow too…I love the simple elegance of it!
Lynette
Beautiful Pillow. Can I tell you how comforted I am by your challenges in reading/using a traditional sewing pattern? You could teach the folks at Simplicity, Butterick & McCall's a few things about creating patterns 🙂
Beautiful!
The pillow turned out so pretty, and I love that you used your grandfathers navy pin! 🙂
I love your new pattern! I already follow your blog, but just stopping by from your giveaway at brixton lane!
so beautiful, and i love the sentimental touch!
GORGEOUS!!! can't wait to see the dress!
simply gorgeous….
That is so gorgeous! Truly!
I especially love your grandfather's pin on it. What a great touch.
I can't believe you have to make a dress from a pattern. I say you just wing it and do your version!
Beautiful pillow.
You have no idea how much better you made me feel. I have been doing some recon sewing and tutorials that I found online and you are one of my favorite!
Anyway, I haven't sewed with a pattern in years and I picked apparently a tough one for my daughters Halloween costume. Who writes these things? It's took me all night to figure out how to lay the pattern on the fabric so I would have enough and after an entire day of swearing, tears, and irritation I finished the top my way (it's just a Halloween costume!) instead of the nice finished edges.
Than I promptly called my mom and begged her to come help me finish. she used to sew three of these a year for us. I don't know how! It has made me feel much better about myself that someone with your skills can't understand them either!
Beautiful pillow!
I think the pillow is so beautiful and the use of the Navy pin makes it an extra special one at that! I just wanted to let you know I happened upon your blog a few weeks ago and being a beginner level sewer–you have given me some "get-up-and-go" to complete a few projects of my own. THANKS SO MUCH! Love your tutes!!
LOVE the pillow!!! I really like that you added the military pin to it. Makes it so special 🙂
Love the pillow- especially your Grandfathers bling in the middle.
If you need any help with that pattern just let me know. I grew up reading those kind of patterns.
the pillow looks fabulous! I bet your sister will love it! my mom made our ring pillow too! I love when things are homemade, especially for special occasions like that. makes it even MORE special.
don't let the patterns intimidate you! you can do it!! it will turn out great!
always enjoy
peace and love
kristen
This is gorgeous!! I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-ring-bearer-pillow-with-large-satin-flower/2009/10/22/
–Anne
WOW! This is the most beautiful ring pillow ever, I love it! I'll be linking. Good luck with the pattern, I know you'll figure it out!
Wow. Beautiful pillow & pin! I love it.
Wow..so lovely!! I like it! I'm waiting for mine one. 😉 My friend will make 1 for me. My wedding is on this OCT. 😉
I've followed ur blog. I love ur blog. 😉