I have finished another pillow last night. It is another good tutorial that was offered by V & Co. from her website, called shag pillow.

My God, I wish I had more fabric, so I didn’t need to feel so pressured to space the strips out vertically and horizontally, and the outcome would be much shaggy; I wish I had a softer (or floppy) cushion insert, as this one is a bit rigid and kind of not very cosy and homey; Also I wish I had a rotary cutter to cut the fabric. The scissors are just not
efficient enough to get quick and straight cut for lots of small pieces, though the project is very forgiving. See, I don’t do quilting at all, that’s why I am a bit hesitant to invest on a good rotary cutter, as they are normally fairly expensive.

Overall I enjoyed this project, except the cutting part. It took me a very long time to have 160 pieces cut up. Fortunately I wasn’t thatimpatient as I always was. I knew it would take time, so I took the casual relaxing approach and just did the cutting whenever I can, not trying to focusing the cutting all on one night. I didn’t realise that the fabric is a bit of fluffy until I was cutting it. I bought it from a thrifty shop with $1.5 dollars. It is velvet, doesn’t fray but has wrong side and right side different looks.

The actual machine sewing only took me about an hour, including stitching the strips on and seaming the pillow case. I altered the pattern and left an opening for the insert at the back, as I really need to be able to wash the outside case which is very important in this house.

I would like to make another one, but with a bit of more intensive bright coloured fabric, like red, purple or spring green like the one in the tutorial. And I would like to use jersey knits next time (of course bigger fabric next time), as they have the same look in right side and wrong side.

This shag pillow goes to Vivian’ day bed and sits with others now. I like its rectangle shape very much. It is just a good complementary part to other cushions.

I hope she likes whatever her crazy mother creates