Appliqued Bird Pillow

Yes, you are looking at my brand new sewing machine!!! I received a big box in the mail in February and when I opened it, I was surprised with this amazing sewing machine. I've always loved sewing things - if I can't find a cheap, beautiful pillow or blanket, I have no problem just making my own...however without a sewing machine I spent many sad nights sewing by hand. This little machine will soon become my best friend - a pillow that use to take me 5 hours to sew by hand I can now complete in about 30 minutes.

When I opened my surprise, I immediately skipped off to the fabric store with yet another surprise I received - a gift card (it was as if the month of February was raining surprises) and bought some beautiful blue fabric.  I had a throw pillow that was looking a little worn and decided to warm up the machine with a simple pillow cover.

I love the envelope pillow case - so easy to sew and so easy to slip on and off pillows.

A couple summers ago I made several fabric flowers to pin onto summery dresses...unfortunately I made them too large and their weight pulled my dresses down dangerously.  They lived a sad life in a box until I decided to group them on the new pillow cover to add some interest and texture to my couch. 

The pillow stayed like this until last night. The month it sad on my couch it just never seemed to fit in and assimilate with the rest of the pillows.  I've been oogling applique projects lately and decided spur of the moment to re-do the pillow. 

I traced a bird onto a scrap piece of paper and used it to cut the fabric out.

I pinned the fabric onto the pillow after ironing small hems around the perimeter.

I have learned my lesson and will never again applique onto an already created pillow. Ugh, such a pain!  Let's just say there were several times I had to tear out some sticthes because I caught the back of the pillow case.

I love how it turned out! The white fabric has a white-on-white flowery pattern that adds some interest to the silhouette.

I may still add another branch with some leaves in the upper left...we'll see after I live with the pillow for a few days.

Already I love this little bird more than those flowers. I guess they are headed back to their sad little box until I find another way to use them.

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