Tutorial: How to make my version of the petal pillow

Yesterday, I was searching for some inspiration when I stumbled upon this lovely pillow by Cluck Cluck Sew.

Immediately upon seeing it, I knew I HAD to make one for our couch. I was so eager, in fact, that I headed directly over to Joann's fabric...after I finished up my work in the lab, of course. ;) (Okay, so maybe I didn't complete everything on my list.)

So, here is my version:

Mine doesn't make quite the same impact, but I think my pillow fits in well with the rest of the decor. It has a quiet elegance about it, I think, and the flower is the fun twist that catches your eye but does not hold it there. 

I am super impressed that Cluck Cluck Sew was able to make her pillow in 30 minutes, because my pillow took much, much longer. Although I'm a basically a novice when it comes to sewing (I got my first real sewing machine a few weeks ago), it's still pretty embarrassing how long it took me. Four hours. Yeah, I know.

Maybe it would have helped if my doggers hadn't viewed my sitting on the ground (cutting and sewing, mind you) as an invitation to play.

But who can say no to these two cuties?!

Someone - and I'm not pointing fingers -  thought the felt fabric I had laid out was for her.

Of course, they weren't always a nuisance - sometimes they tried to help momma out. Heidz even took it upon herself to hold the petals in place while I sewed rather than make me go to the trouble of sticking pins in them.

Okay, getting back to the pillow, here are the materials you will need:

• 1/4 yard of felt ($3)
• around 1/2 a yard of home decorating fabric ($5 @ $9.99/yard)
• cups of various sizes (already own)
• pillow (preferably an old one that you already own)
• fabric pen ($2.99)
• sewing machine or needle and thread (cost varies)
• scissors (already own)

And here are the steps to make a pillow similar to my toned-down version, if you will, of Cluck Cluck Sew's design…although her pillow is fabulous and her tutorial can be found here. 

FYI - The main differences between our designs is that, for better or worse, mine involved substantially fewer petal, three petal sizes as opposed to two, and I hand stitched my petals.

Step 1 - Measure your pillow. Add a half inch to each side, and then cut pieces for both sides of the pillow out of your fabric. In my case, I cut out two 18 x 19 inch pieces.

Step 2 - I outlines 3 different sized cups to make 3 different sized circles. I made more circles than I needed, but I believe I ended up using 6 large, 6 medium, and 3 small circles.

Note: After you cut these three different sized circles out, you can use them as a template for all future circles. I made the mistake, however, of outlining each circle, so some of my felt petals have a blue tint to the outside edge…stupid, stupid, stupid.

Step 3 - Cut the circles in half and lay them out on the pillow cutout in the pattern you like. Then, remove some of the top ones and start sewing the petals to the fabric.

Note: Hand stitching the petals worked out fine. It does take longer than sewing them in with a machine, though. I love my mini sewing machine, but I was afraid it couldn't handle layers of felt and heavy fabric, so I didn't bother trying.

Step 4 - Flip it inside out and sew the seems. Flip it right side out again, insert the pillow, and sew up the remaining edge…or you could sew in a zipper or velcro or snaps, etc.

There you have it! Lovely.

I would like to make about a gazillion more.