Last year at my needle turn applique class with Carolyn Friedlander, I started a Hesperides pillow top for my daughter. I chose my fabrics starting with the Heather Ross mice and unicorns, and then chose fabrics that pulled out the colours in those prints and kept to the fairy tale theme – a purple castle from Lizzy House’s 1001 Peeps, some more Heather Ross flowers and creatures, a rose from Social Climber by Anna Maria Horner…
I cranked out the applique in time to attend a hand quilting class with Louise Papas at Amitie, and then knuckled down to finish that part off before Christmas. I used a range of colours in Aurifil 12w to outline, trace or add some little details here and there.
And I just made it! I finished hand quilting it on Christmas Eve, and trimmed it down to 20″ square. Then wrapped it up as-is and put it under the tree.
However, it took until this week to add the final touches to turn it into a pillow top, which was probably the sweetest part of the entire, already-so-lovely process! My daughter was thrilled to help me make the backing, and loved the fabric I chose – a ballerina print from the 80s that my mum had for me, I think before I was even born?! She gave it to me when I started quilting, and I have hoarded it until the right project. This was it!
We’re both very chuffed with the pillow, although for different reasons. I love the colours and the process, and she loves the pictures. I pointed out that the mice represented our family – her with mummy, her with daddy, and her with her brother!
Now back to my next applique project to get some more done before my Wildabon kit arrives, squee!
MAREE ADAMS says
Hello Alyce. How lovely to meet you and to receive my 3rd email this morn. I am happy I subscribed and look forward to what you have to share. I love the cushion but the name and the appliqué rounded rectangles don’t make sense to me. I know it is sll there but I am not understanding it. Can you explain please. One of the things I really love about your emails is the use of my name! I font feel like your 79.000 subscriber! Thank you from Maree
Alyce says
Aw thanks Maree! It’s the Hesperides pattern by Carolyn Friedlander, and uses the needleturn applique method where you tuck the edges underneath and neatly stitch it to the background fabric.
Nadine Hughes says
The cushion looks great. My high school friend who did ballet gave me the fabric for my 21st. For years I planned to make you a bag for your dance gear. So glad to see it’s finally been used for a little girl who will love it.
Alyce says
Ah ha! That’s right! Thanks, mum 🙂
Kay says
This is so sweet. x
Alyce says
Thank you, Kay!
Serena @ Sewgiving says
Love all the little touches to make this a whole 🙂
Alyce says
So many little things that I loved doing! 🙂
Hilary says
This is so darling!
Alyce says
Thank you so much!