Chanel Style Art Pillow

When I design a Chanel-style jacket, I enjoy having textile leftovers. 

I often advise: buy more than the sewing pattern specifies. This is to avoid running out of fabric after making a mistake, or because of fraying, which often results in a need for an extra half meter of fabric.

But what if you still have fabric leftovers? Do not discard them. Let your imagination run wild and design new things.

My imagination took over, resulting in this elegant, artistic pillow.

How did I make this pillow?

Actually I don't really know!  It was purely a matter of inspiration that took over.  Have you ever experienced the flow? That timeless state where inspiration takes over, and you emerge surprised by what you’ve created.

That said, I will provide you with some technical insights because while inspiration is free, craftsmanship relies on experience and technique.

The base is designed with six scraps of bouclé fabric and one large one for the back of a pillow, followed by crafting using felt, jewelry, buttons, and various sewing stitches.

Bouclé isn't the easiest fabric for any kind of project, which makes it an extra challenge. The hat’s chain and brim were serendipitous -lucky- finds. The braided chain originates from a bag, the jewelry from a pearl necklace. Any seamstress has plenty of leftover buttons (haven't we?)

Here are some tips for working with bouclé scraps:

1. Iron the back of the fabric with fusible interfacing first. This will prevent the woven fabric from unraveling and makes it easier to work with.

2. Don't work with very loose, flowing bouclé fabric; that's simply not feasible.

3. If you pull the bouclé threads lengthwise, you can create beautiful braids that look great on both jackets and scrap fabrics.

Above all: be patient!