5.5.11

french fabric cushions & a sweet bag tutorial...

morning all...
we've woken up to another blustery day & my sinuses are going mad...
so, snuggled up on the couch...laptop & tea in hand...
i've decided to share with you some of the projects i finished before our latest lovely visitor's from Oz arrived...
like many of us...the lure of ebay & french fabrics is almost too much for me at times...
i have my *go to* stores...my little daily *check-in* spots...
&
sometimes i find heaven...
for me french fabrics are hardworking...simple...farm-like...
this is what arrived in the mail from france 3 days before my brother & his gorgeous family arrived from australia...
with so little time to create before they arrived & with so much to still get ready, i really had to come up with a need to start sewing these fabric pieces into something...
my initial response was all want...!

i decided that we *needed* french cushions on our big old kitchen table chairs...
i *wanted* them...but with 9 people living under one roof for three weeks, i kinda figured the kiddos also *needed* them to sit up higher at the table....
so i pulled out some linen glass cloths that i had been keeping for a *spur of the moment* project...
a pile of cushion inserts from my sewing room & the gorgeous french fabrics...
a pot of tea & a quiet house before the busy time that lay ahead...
& i sewed...& smiled...& created many a simple envelope cushion...
no ties...no zippers...no fuss...
simple, farm-worthy & french...

i made as many as i had inserts for, as honestly this was a *want* not a *need*!
i cut the fabrics randomly...
no two cushions the same...

& then i played with them for a while...
well...as much as any lavender-planting-french-countryside-mama would...
i piled them up... & i oohed at them...
i thought how these lovely cushions would make my brother & his gorgeous families holiday all the better...
& then i admitted that no-one would probably notice them...
but i would know...
my little moment of creativity before the household of 9 became my every day for three lovely weeks...


& when i was done...i had lots of lovely little fabric remnants that needed seeing to...really...i couldn't bare to throw them out...
so i made some more little fabric gift bags...
i use these all the time...
they are especially easy for posting gifts, as they give the package almost another layer of protection...
random patters- though all the same shape...long enough to tie with a piece of string...
simple & thoughtful...

these are so easy to whip up...honestly you will go mad making a lovely pile of them...
it's non-thinking straight stitching...!
1. sew any scraps together to form one piece of fabric...
2. make two of these in random pattern.
3. iron these flat & grab your scissors & pins.
4. place *right* sides together & cut your both pieces of fabric to the same size.
{meaning you are looking at the seamed sides of the fabric on the top & bottom- & the neat sides, the *right* sides, are inside the envelope}
4. pin together down three sides of the fabric.
5. insert a piece of string 3/4 the way along the fabric keeping only a small section out to sew into place along the seam
{4/5 of your string is inside the envelope with the neat sides of your fabric...1/5 is on the outside as a loop to be sewn into the hem}

6. turn right side out & iron flat again like an envelope...
7. fill & tie...

so...my french cushions stood the love of kiddos & endless meals at the big ol'table for the three weeks...
they didn't *really* notice them...but i knew they were *happier* for having eaten on them...
everything is lovelier on a cushion...
&
you've all got a very satisfying, totally easy little project for the weekend...
there is nothing like a pile of gift bags waiting for goodies...


enjoy
i'm off to sort out this blocked head of mine
&
to fold fabric

let me know how your gift bag creating goes
...i'll be thinking of you...

Miss

xox

25 comments:

  1. oooh, LOVE them all Melissa!
    i would look at them all day if I made such beauties.
    my mum has such wonderful teatowels that I am looking forward to using.
    hope your blocked head is better soon.
    sending you some get well hugs from a cold Oz ♥

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  2. OOOOh! Can you hear me oooohing from Australia?! Those cushions are totally gorgeous! I have some similiar fabric on order and I can't wait for it to arrive! I love the gift bags as well, what a perfect way to use up the itsy bits left over! You are a clever cookie! Did you let everyone sit on the cushions and mess them up?! x

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  3. Oh my, I do love those cushions...they are just perfect!

    THe gift bags are pretty spesh too and a clever use of remnants

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  4. Your French fabric is fabulous, those cushions are so chic and practical and so are your little gift bags..great ideas. I am glad your houseful went wonderfully and the cushions well used.

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  5. I love the natural look of the fabric you use ...and that chair is a beauty too :)

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  6. love you new pillows! i also love that fabric.

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  7. Oh, wow, I love those cushions! I never thought of making fabric gift bags with my fabric scraps but I am pinning (are you on Pinterest?!) this now so I remember to do this in the future. :)

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  8. Those are lovely. Every time I come here to visit, I think about how much I *need* a sewing machine. Of course, then I'll definitely *need* my MIL to come and visit and show me how to work the darned thing. :)

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  9. Hi sweet Melissa!! Your cushions are wonderful!! Soooo chic and easy!!
    Lucky you..I'm not so keen on sewing!!
    Love.
    Laura@RicevereconStile

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  10. Melissa! I love these bags...I actually may be able to make one with a little help and a friend with a machine! You are so creative and your style is my favorite!

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  11. I would have noticed them! I would have wanted some as well!! Love your little bags from the left overs. What a lovely way to wrap a little gift. I think I'll keep that idea and make some up later when I'm less busy. It's the little things isn't it? I hope your sinus problem settles down soon. I use tiger balm over the sinus area and it help so much. Of course it makes your eyes run as well!

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  12. OoooLaLa, Melissa! Love the French pillows. They are perfect. Yearning for a French supplier myself!

    Paula

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  13. Oh lovely lovely work Melissa. I need new kitchen chair cushions you have inspired me!

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  14. Oh they are divine! You are so clever and so creative. x

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  15. I really need those cushions in my house. No really.

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  16. they really are all divine ... so talented and i adore the fabric choice x

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  17. Just gorgeous, Miss Melissa. I wish I could fly you over on a magic carpet to teach me how to sew. J x

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  18. The cusions are so lovely.. what a great find and I just love your little gift bag idea x

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  19. Nice one guys! We might try to work a reference to this one into a blog post about australian pillows next week.

    Australian Pillows

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