Reunion

One of the best things about summertime

is getting together for picnics, parties,

and reunions of all kinds.

This year our annual Love family reunion 

was extra-special in many ways.

Our aunt Lu and uncle Ralph just celebrated 
60 years of marriage,

so I decided to make them a signature pillow.

I received this great label from Sweetwater this month,

as a member of the Label Crew Club.

It gave me the bright idea for this sentimental gift.

I already had a charm pack from the perfect fabric line:

Reunion, also by Sweetwater for Moda.

{I had only used a little bit of it when I made these

sweet Cathedral Window pincushions

featured in my Blurb book.}

I pulled out the cute coordinating bunting print for the zipper cover

and a basic polka dot blender in gold for the back.

There is a great pillow pattern available from Sweetwater,
but I decided to use

the Diamond Pillow pattern from

Crazy Mom Quilts.

{I thought we needed a very big pillow...turns out we all have small handwriting in my family.}

I ironed and stitched the label to the center,

then took my pillow top to our family reunion.

Everyone was asked to sign it

with my permanent marker.

Even before the picnic, I had the backing all prepared,

using my own free tutorial

for a Covered Zipper Pillow Backing.

{I used my own little label for my "extra" signature touch.}

The next morning, all I had to do was to

trim the backing to the same size as the top,

open the zipper at least halfway,

and stitch it all together around the outer edges.

Within a few minutes,

I had the pillow cover turned right-side out,

pressed and ready for the 

20" square pillow form.

{The happy couple was delighted to see it in its final form at their surprise anniversary party.}

I didn't quilt the pillow top,
because I didn't want to stitch over the signatures.
Instead I used Pellon ShapeFlex 101 to stabilize the pillow top.
That made it easier to write on, too.

My Friends and Family pillow

made a great sentimental gift for a very special couple

who holds family and friends dear in their hearts.