Finally! A Monday to call my own for the first time in nearly three months. It’s spring break! Most of the Atlanta metro public and private schools are out this week. A lot of folks typically get out of town for spring break – not me! Hubs and I will hopefully enjoy lighter traffic as we commute to our volunteer activities this week.
Today, I’m headed to the SQTM in Carrollton to help organize things for summer quilt camp and have lunch with some of the other volunteers. The rest of my week will be spent immersed in quilting activities, spring cleaning and finalizing our taxes. Nothing too strenuous.
Details for an upcoming quilt retreat were also sent yesterday. I’m so excited! Found the perfect mini-quilt to make for the retreat swap! And now add a toddler quilt to the quick turnaround list: my niece and her husband have a court date later this month to finalize the adoption of an 18 month old girl they’ve been caring for since she was a few days old. Welcome to the family, little one!
Below is the finished bench pillow sample I made for an upcoming class at the SQTM:
My pillow is 14″ x 28″. It’s smaller than the usual 16″ x 38″ size popular with Kimberbell, Riley Blake Designs and other designers. Remember, you are the boss of your bench pillow. You can make it whatever size you like. Pillow inserts are available in various sizes. However, you may find it cheaper to buy a yard of muslin and a 2 pound bag of Polyfil to DIY.
Bench Pillow Resources (free):
Moda Mini Charm Bench Pillow. (14″ x 28″ size)
Polka Dot Chair. (16″ x 34″ size)
Smaller Bench/Lumbar Pillow (14″ x 24″ size)
Missouri Star Bench Pillow tutorial (video)
Envelope Cover for Rectangular Pillow (video)
Standard Envelope Cover (video)
If you want to get really fancy and/or spend some moolah:
Kimberbell offers tons of bench pillow resources geared toward embroidery machine owners.
Riley Blake Designs offers bench pillow kits (no embroidery machine required).
Shabby Fabrics offers video tutorials, books and kits.
Come Stitch With Me 