Miss Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Look Ma, I Can Sew!
March 21st, 2008 @ 4:03 pm by Miss Sundae
I am not sure it’s possible for me to be more pleased with myself. I successfully made our ring bearer pillow! I was searching for damask fabric for someone else when I came across this on ebay:
How could I possibly resist? It was $8.95 a yard but I didn’t need that much, so I only bought one yard. When it arrived this week it was even cuter in person, less of a lime color and more of an olive green. I went to our local JoAnn’s Fabric and bought some thread to match, some 1″ white ribbon, polyfill stuffing, and I was on my way. I give you, the ring bearer pillow:
Yes, I know, I really just sewed two square pieces of fabric together and stuffed them. But if you knew me you would know that this is an accomplishment. I just got a sewing machine for Christmas and people were actually worried I would lose a finger (which is a valid concern). Here is a close up:
And the back, so you can see the pattern and just how cute that fabric really is:
I’ll admit that the first one I made was way too small, making this one my second attempt. And it really did take me about three hours to get it right, but the fact that it’s actually sewn together in a square is nothing less than thrilling for me. I got so excited by the entire process that I completely forgot to take pictures, but essentially you cut two pieces of fabric into 10″ squares (make sure the pattern is centered on the squares before cutting). Then turn the fabric so that the right sides are facing each other and start sewing! I left about a 2 inch gap in one side and shoved the polyfill stuffing through that hole. When it was properly stuffed I threaded a needle and closed the gap. For the ribbon I just sewed the middle of a long piece onto the pillow and then tied it in a normal bow. The finished product is a 9 inch square.
Have any of you made your own ring bearer pillows?
11 Responses to “Look Ma, I Can Sew!”
that’s beautiful. great job!
btw, the reminds me of miss gummibear’s carpet and her invitation card design.
It looks like Amy Butler fabric. I am thinking of making napkins for my reception out of similar fabric from her collection, just to make the tables pop! and drive me a little more nuts.
Beautiful! I’m actually knitting my ring pillows.
I love that fabric!
So this whole ring bearer pillow thing confuses me. Do people actually have ring bearers anymore? I don’t recall ever seeing one… so I pulled out 14 wedding programs from the weddings I’ve been to over the past 3 years, and none of them had ring bearers. So does the best man carry the pillow? We were just going to have the best man stick them in his tuxedo pocket…
Your pillow is fantastic! Good job 
Most of the weddings I’ve been to in the last couple of years have had ring bearers. I don’t think it’s a must, but they are really cute!
I’m hoping to knit my own ring pillows, as well. Unlike ljlkclark, I can’t do cables, but a vine pattern is an option.
i sewed my own pillow too… that way it would be exactly the way i wanted it!
Okay, quick tip:
Some of you may not care, but I know that when I make pillows and I stuff them with fiberfill, they look lumpy around the edges, and that drives me ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!! But I guess that’s what being a seamstress does to you. (And, don’t worry, Miss Sunday, yours looks GORGEOUS!! I don’t think you had that problem at all!)
If you, like me, hate when that happens, the trick to stop it is to make a different pillow to hold the fiberfill. Use a cheap fabric, like a fat quarter, or a scrap of something, or even an old t-shirt. Just make sure it’s not a color or pattern that will show through your outside fabric. Make and stuff your inner pillow just like Miss Sunday did, and then take your outer fabric, and go to town! Make a second pillow out of your outer fabric, leave your two inch gap, stuff your inner pillow inside of the other one, and stitch it closed! Wha-la!
This is also really neat if you’ve found a really pretty gauze, netting or lacy fabric, but you know it’s not going to hold the fiberfill by itself. Just take another piece of fabric (in a different color, perhaps? go crazy!) and make your inner pillow, then your delicate one and make your outer.
The possibilities are, quite literally, endless. Have fun, kids!
i plan 2 make my pillow too. i can’t fathom paying $20-$30+ for a simple square that i could diy myself.
this way i can go with a nicer, luxurious fabric that otherwise i wouldnt be able to afford!
i’m thinking silk….or a burned out velvet….or heck, a combo of the 2!
