Flip Flop Pillow or Flipping Out!

My sister recently came to spend a few days with me in Michigan, and I learned that she is a big flip-flop fan. So on a whim, I decided to try to make a flip flop pillow. So here's how the process went --
The most difficult part for me was to draw an actual flip flop pattern (I'm not much of an artist in that respect). I was able to find an image on Google which I enlarged as much as I could, then cut it out, put it down on some pattern making paper, and drew it larger. Proportions were a bit of a challenge! But I ended up with a pattern approximately 17' x 9".

I cut out my top fabric which is a cotton print, and bottom out of burlap. Because there are not really any pillow inserts in this shape, I decided to add some batting and a piece of muslin to both top and bottom, so when I stuff the pillow, it won't look lumpy and I won't have stuffing peaking out of the burlap weave.

I stitched piping to the top fabric and added the straps, which I made from a double thickness of burlap, sewing through top fabric, batting and muslin. Next I measured around the entire flip flop form to determine the length and cut a 3-1/2" strip of aqua fabric to be used for the thickness.

 

I sewed the aqua strip to the top and bottom portions of the flip flop, similar to a boxed cushion, leaving a space open for stuffing. I then stuffed, fluffed to shape and hand-sewed the opening to close. The one shown below used a coordinating fabric. What do you think? Kinda fun, huh?

Wholesale Zippers

Okay, now if you do not sew, you may not get too excited about this new shop I found on Etsy.
Zipit sells a multitude of colored zippers at wholesale prices. My order arrived in only a couple days, I got to select my colors, and they are a great price! Wish I had found them years ago! Check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/zipit

Okay, so did you ever buy a remnant rolled up in one of those little bundles but you don't unroll it before you purchase it? I know, dumb. But I did. And, when I got home and opened it up, there was a flaw large enough that I could not cut two 18" pieces for a pillow. So I went to work on a plan, because now I don't want to drive all the way back to the store to return it. Well, I chopped it up into several pieces and created this great quarter turned design. I think it turned out really fun. Admittedly, it was a pain to make and took more time than it really should have, but, I like the result. This is outdoor canvas and it ended up being a 16" pillow. Lesson learned.See this pillow on sale now at Float Interiors

Beach Umbrella and Stripes Outdoor Canvas Pillows

I've been looking at this beach chair and umbrella outdoor canvas fabric for a month now at the store and finally broke down and bought it. I just love it! The fact that the stripes on the umbrella coordinate with the matching stripe fabric is even better. I think they make a great pair. I sewed the zippers in to the bottom seam on these. I found that when making an 18" pillow you use only a 1/2 yard when you put the zipper at the bottom as opposed to when I make a covered flap zipper in the back.See these pillows on sale now at Float Interiors

"Waves" table runner

This is a small table runner made of sage green burlap with a hand-cut linen applique of waves. It measures 30" x 8" so the perfect size for a hall table or sofa back table. See it here https://www.etsy.com/listing/103854340/table-runner-sage-green-burlap-with

Shabby Chic Beach Pillow

This is a shabby chic beach applique pillow. The hand-cut and sewn letters are purposely rustic to give it this great comfy, cuddled look. The pillow is canvas with linen letters. The thick fringe is very soft cotton. More details here https://www.etsy.com/listing/103855292/beach-cottage-shabby-chic-pillow

At The Beach Garland Beach House Decor

This heat wave has inspired a lot of beach decor items! Here's a new garland made of off-white burlap flags with linen applique letters. The sides and bottoms of the flags are fringed and then sewn with a tight zig zag to prevent further unraveling. See more details here https://www.etsy.com/listing/103857231/burlap-at-the-beach-garland