I have been trying to wait until the end of the encyclopedia of me to post this tutorial. I have had it done for a few weeks now and just can't stand not to post it any longer.
My mother's ribbon and trim stash was extensive and oh so much fun when I was a kid! She and I used to make ribbon pillows as gifts for friends and family. My good friend Margo said she still has the one I made her in college. So while unpacking I noticed I had a rather large collection of vintage bias tape. Hmmm, the wheels started turning and I didn't see why using bias tape for a pillow would be any different than using ribbons and trim. This is a great way to use up odds and ends of ribbons/trim/bias tape from previous projects.
For a wee minute I thought about trying out Erin's new zipper tutorial, but there was not enough time today before going to pick Ian and Zane from kindy. And I am all about trying to actually finish things these days instead of creating more half finished projects. So, another time, another pillow for a zipper.
The weaving of the strips reminds me so much of the Thanksgiving place mats we all made in school by weaving orange and brown and yellow construction paper together. Older kids could really get into this part I think. For us, it would be a disaster waiting to happen. But I can see this being done with lots of pink and print and foof like my mother and I used to do.
I used papaw's old work pants as the border around the woven panel and an Alexander Henry print for the back. I love how it looks with this thrifted lemon tree pillow backed in soft velvet. I wouldn't say these new pillows exactly scream fall, but I love the greens and browns. Hey, they're way better than the completely flat and stained despite many, many washings throw pillows we had been using.
So, here it is. Slightly modern and abstract. But colorful and soft and vintagey! And finished in just over an hour! Perfect.
Not that it is a difficult project, but a tutorial has been added to the sidebar if you are interested.