Last weekend I finally got a lot of little sewing projects done. I hemmed a pair of pants and a skirt, I mended a pair of mittens and while I had the sewing machine out I made this sheep skin pillow. Here’s how.
I had a sheep skin that I’d already used a part of and cut a square the size of my pillow + hem allowance. Then I used another scrap piece of fabric and cut an equally large square out of that which I zig zagged and bought a zipper.
By the way, sheep skin should be cut with a razor blade from the back. That way the pelt stays intact on the sides.
Sewing was easier than I expected. I just used the “universal” needle that was already in the machine which worked well.
First I attached the zipper on one side and then the backing fabric on the other side and ended up with this.
After opening the zipper up I had the right sides facing each other and pinned the three remaining sides. Before I pinned I made sure the pelt was facing inward so I wouldn’t run over it too much with the thread.
To finish off I snipped the corners to make them less bulky when turning the whole thing right side out.
And hey presto!
Beautiful. That stripe on the skin makes it look fun.
Posted by: Leena | February 21, 2013 at 07:35 AM
Fiiiiiin!
Posted by: Golla | February 21, 2013 at 08:25 AM
That is gorgeous! Great job :)
Posted by: Judith | February 21, 2013 at 08:58 AM
Beautyfull- great pillow!
Posted by: nicolezh | February 21, 2013 at 09:27 AM
I guess cats love this pillow!
Posted by: jja | February 21, 2013 at 12:38 PM
Beauty!
Posted by: Hxx | February 21, 2013 at 01:30 PM
That pillow looks so lovely and I bet it's really smooshable too. I adore sheepskin.
How long till Mini and Bonus claim it? ;)
Posted by: devil | February 21, 2013 at 01:37 PM
Mini did glance at it the other day as I was leaning against it :).
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 21, 2013 at 01:42 PM
Nice job! I just bought two sheep skins from IKEA which in comparison to the way yours looks, makes me wonder if mine is real. Mine is a blonde color (which is fine) but it's long hair. I'm liking yours with the short hair. I guess the sheep in the states are different than the ones in Europe. :-)
Posted by: Sandy (USA) | February 21, 2013 at 02:06 PM
Yours is real too, I have one of those from IKEA too, but I also prefer these short hair ones.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 21, 2013 at 02:25 PM
Love this, Benita! And, so clever to sew the zipper in first! I have a pillow project waiting for me this weekend, but with fabric that I was planning to do the overlap/sham thing on the back to make it removable. Do you think doing the zipper first on two pieces of fabric would work just as well as with your sheepskin and fabric pillow?
Posted by: Lisa | February 21, 2013 at 04:38 PM
I always put the zipper in first regardless of fabric. Just remember to open the zipper up before closing the three other sides. Learned that the hard way...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | February 21, 2013 at 06:53 PM
Hvor er den bare smuk. Naturmaterialer, når de er bedst.
Posted by: Jane | February 23, 2013 at 12:33 AM