Posted on by agilejack

Sunday Night and Forcing Myself to Sew

I haven’t felt very inspired the last few weeks. I’ve been looking at the work of others and thinking about upcoming projects. I have a lot of ideas, but I’m having a hard time finding the inspiration to get into my sewing room and get something done.

But tonight I forced myself to get in there and get something done. I’ve been planning to make some pillow cases for my new bed quilt and the fabric arrived a week or so ago. So there were no more excuses. It took me about 1.5 hours to get these two pillow cases done. And I’m really happy with how they look on the bed!

I’m so glad I went the pillow case route rather than making some kind of shams. I just don’t think my life is formal enough to justify shams. But these simple pillow cases make it look more finished while not being to involved and complicated.

As a reminder, this is the tutorial I used for the pillowcases. I followed the pattern for the queen size pillows except that I cut four inches off the length and I’m glad I did. There would have been way too much fabric flopping on that open end if I hadn’t.

One thing I love about these pillow cases is that they’re made with the burrito method, which means you sew the pillow case body and accent band inside the cuff (the pink stripe in my pillowcases).

You roll the full width of the pillowcase into one long burrito and then sew one long seam. The accent band and body of the pillow case are all rolled up in that burrito.

Then you turn it right side out and all those raw edges are buried inside. It’s really quite brilliant!

Here’s one pillow case with that burrito seam sewn and all turned right side out.

The side and bottom seam are French seams. The third side is on the fold.

A French seam means you first sew your bottom and side seams with the wrong sides of the fabric together first. Then you trim the seam allowance, turn the pillowcase wrong side out, press it, and sew a 1/4 inch seam all the way around the sewn edges. So all those raw edges are contained inside they seam allowance. This photo shows me approaching the sewn corner of this pillowcase.

They’re really beautifully finished and really easy to make. I really appreciate things that are well made.

Several years ago I made about a half dozen sets of pillow cases out of batiks and gave them as holiday gifts. People loved them. I still have one set left in my drawer. I should pull them out and use them!

Here’s more photos of putting these pillow cases together tonight.

It was a bit of a dreary week here last week. There were at least two days that were so rainy we didn’t get out for a walk at all. Days like that are really difficult and my boys are almost sad on those days. I get a lot of this on those days…

We did manage to have a good weekend. Rico had his regular sheep herding lesson yesterday and then we stopped for a nice field run before we headed home.

The creek that runs along this park had left its banks and my boys thought that was so much fun! The creek was so deep they actually got a little swimming in.

They are quite sure that I should be throwing sticks.

On Saturday evening I had an impromptu pot luck dinner and a few hours of conversation with friends. It’s been a few months since I hung out with these friends as a group and it was a great and much needed evening.

I met another friend for brunch today to celebrate the holiday and exchange our gifts. It was a lovely meal of delicious lattes, beignets and eggs Benedict. After that, Rico had another sheep herding lesson and he was brilliant! It was a lot of brain work for both of us and I was happy with how we did.

I didn’t get home until a little after 4:00. The good news is that I got my outside holiday lights up earlier this week and I was welcomed home by warmth and happiness!


I took that photo the other day after I got the lights and wreaths up. It wasn’t quite dark enough to show the lights well. But I just love coming home and seeing my outdoor lights on. It’s so nice to have them all on a timer. I love seeing them when we come home from our night time walks. And we did get a nice three mile walk in once we got home.

I love sending holiday cards every year. I like to have the cards ordered by Thanksgiving. And that gives me a couple of weeks to get them all written, addressed and in the mail. I got the bulk of them done on Friday night.

I sat down t my dining room table and finished up around 40 cards. I dropped them in the mail Saturday morning.

I’ll finish the rest of them up in the next couple days and have them in the mail before the week is over.

After the rainy streak we’ve had over the last 10 days or so, we have a clear streak coming up. But it also comes with some cold.

I’m perfectly happy to trade some warmth for some sun!

The most amazing thing that happened this week was that I walked past a free table in my neighborhood that had a brand new Patagonia rain coat in my size and my favorite color!

That was a pretty sweet find! It will probably last me the rest of my life.

53 Replies to “Sunday Night and Forcing Myself to Sew”

  2. Your pillowcases are just beautiful! One of my favorites sews! Losing your mojo is frustrating- I have been there quite often. Just enjoy folding and admiring your fabric stash. It will come back. I think our creative brains go into overload -dammit Pinterest and all those sites that shove those neat sewing projects down our throats! lol I love reading your blog and wake up every morning to check it! Sending you lots of positive vibes. Be well and enjoy your other life passions in the meantime.

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    1. Thanks! Fingers crossed that my mojo doesn’t wait too long to get back here! And yes to Pinterest. I’ve pinned so many things there… no hope at all of ever doing very many of them, but they are fun to look at!

      Anne

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  3. Your pillowcases and quilt look marvelous. I have made several pillowcases and always add a few inches to allow for shrinkage.
    Question, why is there a box grater on your night stand?
    Enjoy your holidays.

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    1. Hahah! you’re not the first person to ask about the cheese grater. It actually holds my earrings! I saw one years ago that was painted and decorated and I thought it was such a great idea. I have a pretty good collection of dangly earrings. I just ever got around to painting and decorating it!

      Anne

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  4. Who hoo on the free jacket. Universe likes you! Pillowcases with the quilt… you nailed it. Adorable puppies, check.
    Great picture of the boys for Christmas cards. You’re definitely going to cheer people with those. I once read when you’re stuck creatively you need to do something totally off the wall that you would never do or haven’t done in a long time. Climb a tree, drive a go cart, go bowling, zentangle, crochet if you haven’t, etc. It forces your brain to tamp into a different part of your brain. I’m rooting for you.

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  7. Those pillowcases are the perfect finishing touch for your bed! I’ve made those burrito cases before and need to make some this year too. The person who figured that method out is a genius. Your dogs are adorable and made the perfect Christmas cards!

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  8. The pillowcases look great! Don’t worry about having a slump in your sewing…I find that we all experience it and maybe it’s the universe telling us we need a break to do other things. It will return!
    I’ve got a free jacket story too- my Dad ordered regularly from LLBean, one time his order came with a rain jacket-that he did not order- he called them and they said to keep it! It was a woman’s jacket , too big for my Mom- so I got it and I still have it all these years later! It will be coming with me when we visit our daughter over Xmas…flying in to Portland and then going up to Long Beach WA where she lives- can’t wait!!!

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    1. I go through creative slumps like this every few months. I’m pretty sure I brought it on myself with my feverish sewing over the last couple months. It does always come back. I just need to give it a little time.

      And if you live in the Pacific Northwest, you need a really good rain jacket. Well, you need more than one!!!

      Anne

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  9. I’ve been thinking about making some pillowcases and although I’ve heard about the burrito method, I don’t have even the first clue how to do it. Google – here I come. Or maybe I should go to YouTube. But first, I need to make bowl cozies and mug rugs. Then comes a kit I bought a while back using Kaffe brights and black! A woman’s work is never done! Love that rain jacket – what a find.! It was meant to be yours.

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    1. I have sooo many unfinished projects myself. But I’m not going to let that stop me from starting even more!

      My post included a link to the burrito method tutorial Used. it’s pretty simple once you get it all figured out.

      Anne

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  10. I look forward to your email every morning! I share your love of everything Kaffe!! Love your bed quilt and pillowcases and have made many using that burrito method. I really enjoy your sharing of you boys, your house, and your adventures! Thank you!!

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  13. I’ve made lots of the burrito method pillow cases. Before sewing the side seams, I top stitch the flange using a decorative stitch. It keeps it from curling up and twisting when it’s washed. Nice to see you still send Christmas cards. So many have stopped due to high postage rates. I’m sure your quilting mojo will return, I’ve been having trouble getting motivated as well.

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  14. LOVE your new jacket! Lucky you! Also, thanks for reminding me of the pillow case pattern. I’ll have to get busy and make some. I always enjoy your posts. Happy Holidays!

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  18. Sweet! A beautiful green Patagonia rain coat! It was made just for you 💕
    I love your pillow cases! Thanks for reminding me of French seams ☺️ they do make a beautiful finish!
    Nice holiday lights.
    Rico and Bender sure know how to have fun 🥰🥰🥰

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    1. I love the French seams on these pillowcases. All the finishing is so nice. Even if no one ever sees them, I know how nicely they’re finished!

      And yes… my boys do know how to cut loose and enjoy themselves!

      Anne

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  19. We have had several days of glooming weather and your cold should hit us on Thursday late. I can relate to not being inspired to sew. I find it helps though to just have some cut pieces to chain piece even if there is no project chosen for them. I have a couple small containers just full of flying geese and triangle squares. Eventually the project will be chosen.

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    2. that’s a good idea to keep things handy to chain piece. It’s a little brainless too, which is nice when you’re tired.

      I certainly have plenty of unfinished projects I could be working on.

      I have a feeling I’ll get in there more this week. I’m getting some little urges to get my hands on some fabric.

      Anne

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  20. Love seeing all your eye candy! Going to get back to some bags after Xmas. My best friend lives in Portland, we met when we were both fabric sales reps, me in N. Y. Both retired now. Quilting for 40 years, sew everyday. Plus love my pickleball also still at 83 yrs. Keep up the wonderful colors and your stories and dogs!

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    1. So great that you’re still playing Pickleball! I’ve only been playing since last May but it seems like something that I can play well into my retirement. and I just love it!

      Anne

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  21. I just love the pillow cases. Am going to have to make some for my Christmas quilt that I made a few years ago. Had plans for shams, but like you, I think at this stage of my life, the pillow cases are a much better choice. That park is absolutely amazing. Wish there were places like that near me. And would love your temps there. I’m a cold weather gal, but Southeast GA hardly ever gets really cold. The babies made a great photo for your cards. I have two pugs, Audra and Willoughby. They hate posing for photos. They just turned nine. Seems like yesterday we were picking them up at eight weeks old. Where does the time go? I love your dining room table cloth. It has that ” Kaffe” look. I just love all his fabrics.

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    1. You should definitely make some pillow cases. At least one set!

      I’m really fortunate that I have access to several places where I can let my dogs really run! they just love it and we’re all much happier if we all get outside and get some physical activity!

      We have somewhat temperate winters, but it’s wet. So it feels colder than it is. All that moisture just cuts though you!

      My dining room table cloth is sort of a Mexican style serape fabric. But it’s colorful! I made curtains for my sliding glass door out of two of those tablecloths! So I have a lot of color in my house and I love it!

      Anne

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  22. Hi Anne,

    I don’t know how I got started with the Agilejack blog but I love it. It is like a letter from a friend. For a few posts you did not show your boys and I missed them. I play favorites and absolutely get flip-flops of my heart when there is a full face view of Bender.

    I am a quilter who does fabric crafts now that family and friends do not require more quilts..in my mind. Plan to eventually make the Agilejack tote but have made many zipless totes! Will follow the example of some of my bee members and do a few baby quilts to stash for future great grandkids but for now am trying to get going on downsizing so I can move out of my house which requires more upkeep than I want to do!

    By the way, I have not a single bit of KFC fabric but love what you do with yours! I continue to enjoy your adventures with fabric, pickle ball and the dogs.

    Maryann in Fairfax, VA

    >

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    1. Maryann;

      Thanks so much for reading! I always remind myself to include photos of my boys. And yes… Bender is incredibly photogenic. He just doesn’t take a bad photo.

      I’ve made so many quilt tops since the pandemic started. I counted them a few weeks ago and I think I have at least 15! No idea what I’m going to do with them. Certainly won’t pay to have them quilted unless I need them.

      Thanks for reading!

      Anne

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  23. Hey. Have a great Christmas. I’ve loved every moment of your blog and looking forward to next year’s instalments. Hugs to your beautiful boys. And thank you for sharing your wonderful self with us all.
    Stay safe and healthy x

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  24. I just saw something you’re dogs might love ❤️. It’s called a herding ball.CollieBall |HerdingBall  | | | | | |

    |

    | | | | CollieBall |HerdingBall Giant, Tough, Safest and Bouncy Herding Ball! For Best Toy Mental and Physical stimulation. CollieBall is available now! | |

    |

    |

    Peggy Bennett

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

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  26. Hi Anne! I posted my finished ornaments on Kaffe Fassett Collective and they’re a huge hit. Your ears must be ringing. I hope this increased your following!!! Thank you! Merry Christmas. Now to make the biscotti and struffoli! Lol. 🎄😍

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