Monday, August 10, 2015

stinkface pillow for my new teenager(!)


I'm not sure how my oldest daughter managed to turn thirteen. THIRTEEN. There have clearly not been enough years between when she was a wee baby and right now, but she insists this is correct. We have a teenager. Great gophers. But back to the pillow. You may have already seen the genesis of the idea at the bottom of this post, or the fur selection here.

Now it's a reality! Why, yes, it is reversible! So she can display whichever side she is hyper-feeling at the moment:

You STINK. Go 'way.

Or...
Best day EVER! Hug me!

The eyes and mouth on both sides are wool felt applique and the noses are large pom poms. I used a 16 inch round pillow insert I bought at JoAnn so I didn't have to stuff it myself. Easy. The Mr Stinkface side is actually two pieces so that the lowered brow could overlap the eyes.


It's hard to tell, but the back (Mr Happyface) is actually an envelope opening, so it's two pieces also. The overlap edge runs just under the pom pom nose. It's hard to tell it's there, which is just the way I'd hoped. I intended for the lower half to overlap the eyes a bit, but it likes to pull away. I tacked it under the nose but I'll probably sew it all the way across.

During the making, long tufts of fur flew everywhere. I will no doubt continue finding it stuck to my socks and pulling tiny, invisible filaments out of my eyeballs for months. But this faux fur is the softest, bestest feeling fur and such a pretty color! It makes the pillow irresistable. You find you simply must squeeze it, pet it and finger comb its face. It's like an oversized tribble.


I improved muchly on my fur cutting technique this time by reading up on some tips on how you should slide your blades under the fur to only cut the backing instead of just scissoring away at it like you would regular fabric. This keeps it from having uneven, chopped looking fur at the edges and seams (much like my unfortunate mom-trimmed bangs in a long ago school picture.) Excellent.


I had some trouble attaching the eyes and mouth because even though I glue basted the pieces, they kept shifting around on the fur. My softie support group suggested I trim the fur underneath the felt pieces (thank you, makes perfect sense) but I was too afraid to do that because I might want to adjust the placement (the glue was washable). I ended up just gluing the heck out of the pieces all around and then hand sewing the edges instead of trying to wrestle them through the machine. Turned out fine.


I think my thirteen year old turned out fine too. I love you more! (x infinity squared)

16 comments:

  1. That is too adorable! I love how you made a face on each side. I hope you see the happy side a lot, but the other one is more fun. Ha! And your daughter's face is a perfect match! :)

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    1. haha! Agreed, Grandma G, the stinkface side is more entertaining.

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  2. Um, I love everything about this.

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    1. Especially the last photo in this post. BAHAHAHAHA

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    2. Hee! :-) Thanks, Skooskie! I have to go in her room every day and hold her pillow. It relaxes me.

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  3. Darling, both your daughter and the pillow. My daughter just turned 30. I swear it's not been that long.it goes way too fast, enjoy every day of her.

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  4. Love that girl!!!! Stink face and all. :)

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    1. Hey, Bob. :-) We love you guys too! You'll have a teen boy next year!

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  5. This is so cool and so appropriate for my two girls (13 and 11)! May need to make one each for them!

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  6. My son Logan (6) wants to ask you this question.
    "Can you please make that thing to teach my mommy how to make one? It will match the monster she made me called, Green Eggs. Thanks!" I think he means "pattern". :)

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    1. Haha! Hey Logan! Thanks for the suggestion. I can do a pattern but it will probably be next year. I hope Green Eggs can be verrrry patient! :-)

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  7. wow it came out amazing!! what a cool mom you are :-)

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  8. This is absolutely adorable! I'm sure your daughter will love it for many, many years.

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  9. Wow! This is super cute! Great idea! I want one for myself!!!! ;)

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