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If you're new here, hello! I'm Laura! I design quilt patterns, and I'm a self-proclaimed deal hunter! Be sure to join the popular Quilting & Sewing Deals Facebook group where I post sales, deals, and coupon codes from all around the web!
I searched through my Island Batik stash to see what fabrics I had that would work for cacti. I found some great choices! (I think both of these greens are Blenders, but I can't find the exact fabrics on the website.) Since this is my second year as an ambassador, I have a bit of a selection from the fabrics they've sent me!
I started with a saguaro cactus. I found an image of a cactus that I liked, and enlarged it on my computer to be 20" tall. It printed on four pages, I taped them together, then cut it out.
Next, I folded my fabric right sides together and cut out the cactus shape from two layers.
Leaving an opening at the base of the cactus, I stitched all the way around the cactus using 1/4" seam. I used Aurifil 50wt thread in #2324 Stone - it's a great neutral thread to use for nearly everything!
Once sewn, I used scissors to clip the fabric just up to the stitching line on all the inner and outer curves. I also clipped into each corner.
Then it was ready to turn inside out and stuff!
I used Poly-Fil stuffing and a ruler to fill the cactus. I decided to be fairly firm in the stuffing so the cactus would keep its shape.
Once filled, I found a matching thread (Aurifil 50wt #1147 Light Leaf Green) to use for hand stitching the opening closed.
Then I decided to try making a version of a San Pedro cactus from the darker fabric. (I used this pin from Pinterest as a starting point.)
I started by folding my fabric into six layers. This determined what size cactus I could make! Then I cut the cactus shape through all layers so they would all be the same.
Next, I stitched layers of two together, leaving the flat bottom open.
After turning right sides out, I laid all three pieces on top of each other, and sewed a straight line down the middle through all three.
Next up was stuffing with Poly-fil, then hand stitching the bottoms closed. (As you can tell from the photo, hand stitching is NOT my thing. I'm proud to say the sixth one was much better than the first!)
Next up was the cactus bloom. Instead of being pure in the interpretation of San Pedro cactus (which has a white flower), I wanted to be colorful so opted for red. I used this bright Island Batik fabric.
I found a great tutorial for making a fabric flower that I liked on Pinterest here, so based my flower on that. I started with a 3" x 13" strip of fabric, then sewed it into a tube and turned it right side out. I used the seam as the bottom of the strip.
I used 50wt Aurifil #2255 Dark Red Orange to hand sew the flower.
Then used the same thread to secure it to the top of the cactus.
I think the batiks were the perfect fabric for these cacti!
When looking for a quilt to use in my cacti photos, I found this Lone Star quilt that I made last year. I'm thinking it might be a good choice for my friend's nursery!? It seems like it fits "colorful Southwest!" What do you think?? It isn't a typical traditional baby quilt, but.....
Speaking of non-traditional, I'm not sure these cacti count as pillows. But Pinterest calls them pillows, so I'm going with it!
Be sure to check out the Island Batik Facebook page to see some of the other pillows the ambassadors made this month!
Linking up with Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts, TGIFF at Anja Quilts, Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.
I started with a saguaro cactus. I found an image of a cactus that I liked, and enlarged it on my computer to be 20" tall. It printed on four pages, I taped them together, then cut it out.
Next, I folded my fabric right sides together and cut out the cactus shape from two layers.
Leaving an opening at the base of the cactus, I stitched all the way around the cactus using 1/4" seam. I used Aurifil 50wt thread in #2324 Stone - it's a great neutral thread to use for nearly everything!
Once sewn, I used scissors to clip the fabric just up to the stitching line on all the inner and outer curves. I also clipped into each corner.
Then it was ready to turn inside out and stuff!
I used Poly-Fil stuffing and a ruler to fill the cactus. I decided to be fairly firm in the stuffing so the cactus would keep its shape.
Once filled, I found a matching thread (Aurifil 50wt #1147 Light Leaf Green) to use for hand stitching the opening closed.
Then I decided to try making a version of a San Pedro cactus from the darker fabric. (I used this pin from Pinterest as a starting point.)
I started by folding my fabric into six layers. This determined what size cactus I could make! Then I cut the cactus shape through all layers so they would all be the same.
Next, I stitched layers of two together, leaving the flat bottom open.
After turning right sides out, I laid all three pieces on top of each other, and sewed a straight line down the middle through all three.
Next up was stuffing with Poly-fil, then hand stitching the bottoms closed. (As you can tell from the photo, hand stitching is NOT my thing. I'm proud to say the sixth one was much better than the first!)
Next up was the cactus bloom. Instead of being pure in the interpretation of San Pedro cactus (which has a white flower), I wanted to be colorful so opted for red. I used this bright Island Batik fabric.
I found a great tutorial for making a fabric flower that I liked on Pinterest here, so based my flower on that. I started with a 3" x 13" strip of fabric, then sewed it into a tube and turned it right side out. I used the seam as the bottom of the strip.
I used 50wt Aurifil #2255 Dark Red Orange to hand sew the flower.
Then used the same thread to secure it to the top of the cactus.
I think the batiks were the perfect fabric for these cacti!
When looking for a quilt to use in my cacti photos, I found this Lone Star quilt that I made last year. I'm thinking it might be a good choice for my friend's nursery!? It seems like it fits "colorful Southwest!" What do you think?? It isn't a typical traditional baby quilt, but.....
Speaking of non-traditional, I'm not sure these cacti count as pillows. But Pinterest calls them pillows, so I'm going with it!
Be sure to check out the Island Batik Facebook page to see some of the other pillows the ambassadors made this month!
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I think that quilt is perfect for colorful Southwest as a theme, and what fun cacti pillows!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the quilt is great for colorful Southwest theme... and I love the cacti pillows... another GREAT idea :)
ReplyDeleteThose pillows are so much fun! I love that you had a quilt that would work with them too. The pillows are a really fun idea for a baby gift!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for pillows. They go with that quilt really well. I think your friend will be happy with both pillows and quilt.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, some years back on a quilt program, the host (name is lost to me) said that if you didn't want to clip seams, you could use pinking shears and trim close to the seam. It would allow the seams to curve (In or Out) and would also keep the fabric from raveling. I've used this technique a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a Southwest theme! They turned out great!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt piecing is wonderful and the colors are terrific. This is so fun and whimsical. This nursery may be the first that has cactus for cuddling!! Great job on a most creative and customized baby quilt and matching gift.
ReplyDeleteCutest pillows on earth! She's going to love them for her southwest baby theme room. And yes, that quilt would be perfect, too. Who cares about traditional quilts when you can have a unique customized modern quilt?! Great job, Laura!
ReplyDeleteYou had me with the Saguaro! I need to make one of these. I've seen the Saguaro bloom and they are gorgeous. Yes, I have pictures. While the buds are growing they do look a bit strange like they are developing warts or fingers.
ReplyDeleteCute pillows and love the quilt you did last year!
ReplyDeleteI love these! They are so fun and they'll be perfect for the nursery theme. The flower fabric is the same one I've been using for the background for my Murrina quilt :)
ReplyDeleteThose pillows are so cute! I love the picture of them on the quilt, how perfect!
ReplyDeleteVery different, goes with the quilt nicely.
ReplyDeletethese are wonderful pillows for the SouthWestern theme and they certainly are playful. The quilt is absolutely gorgeous and I think you friends will be delighted with it.
ReplyDeleteThese are so cute! I need to make some for a friend.
ReplyDeleteI love your lone star as a "colorful southwest" baby quilt! In fact, I'm not sure you could do better if you planned it! The cacti pillows are amazing and I think they absolutely count as pillows. Super fun pillows!
ReplyDeleteHow fun!! I love these pillows. And that quilt is perfectly, Southwesterly colorful :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute and so very brilliant! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI think the quilt works. And those cacti pillows are amazing. Well done. Thanks for linking up with TGIFF.
ReplyDeleteYou perfectly captured a colorful Southwest theme! I love your cacti 🌵🌵in bloom too!
ReplyDeleteThe nursery will make baby so happy and cheerful!