I managed to keep quite busy over the semester break making several custom orders for my shop. What a relief to have them officially completed and in the mail!
I received a custom order from a customer to make a set of patchwork chair pads for her daughter’s room.
She wanted fabrics from Amy Butler’s Love collection to coordinate with the rest of her decor. I really loved working with these fabrics, both the quilting cotton and home dec weight. I especially loved the home dec fabrics – they have such a soft and fabulously supple feel.
She wanted wide, long ribbon ties so she could have big bows at the backs of the chairs. She also wanted these cushions to be thick, so I used the thickest padding I could find that my sewing machine could handle. It was like sewing through a pillow!
The fun part about this project was imagining what these pads would look like on those little chairs. When we were kids, we had the infamous kids’ table. But ours was painted a bright lime green color, which we loved! It was fun to put together puzzles or have a tea party at that table. This project really made me feel nostalgic!
When I gave you a preview of some new products I made for my shop, my friend Michelle requested a twin version of my star bling handbag.
I made a few improvements to Michelle’s version, such as longer straps (from 22 inches to 30 inches) and moved up the ribbons on the corner so they aren’t so close to the dart.
Michelle asked for a small coin purse to go with her new bag, so I whipped up this little experiment.
How fun knowing we will have twin purses. How fun knowing someone in another country actually wanted to carry a bag just like mine. Silly girls!
My cousin Linda requested a similar bag, but without the bling, and in a size that would fit her MacBook Air computer. For a request for a specific size, I like make a mock-up in cardboard to make sure the dimensions will work for the client’s specifications.
From that same preview, I received a request from Cindy to make her an artist tote.
Her only specification was an orange lining. How fun to use this fabulous print from the fabulous Innocent Crush collection as my inspiration. Then I pulled warm, fun colors from my stash to create the crazy patch block for the front.
I also used the coolest heather grey suiting fabric for the back, gusset and strap.
I enjoy custom orders because they are challenging to work on, but I always worry about satisfying the customer’s expectations. Hope these goodies are well loved!
Terri's Notebook 
The chair cushions look so plush and comfy indeed!!! Amy Butler is a sure hit any time isn’t it?!
Wow – you have been busy… You’ll have to do shop previews more often :0)
Everything you’ve made is delightful – I can just imagine you sewing that pillow – hope you gave your machine a little pat on the back at the end of it.
I certainly love my bling bag and purse and I certainly do love that we have matching items – us, silly? No WAY! Well, maybe just a little but that’s a good thing, right?
I’m sure everyone will love their custom orders as much as I do – especially knowing they were made ‘just for them’.
The laptop bag is adorable! I love the pattern and the contrasting pink color. I’m not a blingy person, either, when it comes to accessories, so that one is just my style!
It’s awesome that you get commissions to do your thing! That’s fabulous! Great job on all of them, too! They’re lovely!
I love the surprize of an additional pop of bright color INSIDE a zippered pocket! It’s a big wink!! on a dreary day!
Hello Terri! Everything looks so wonderful! I’m always so so worried if I need to do some orders, if they are good enough! Your chair-cushions are like my new fluffy-blanket! I had to stitch it by hand! I love always your bags! Now I go to see what you have made with pinwheeles….
xxx Teje
I agree…custom orders are great! I guess I like the collaboration with the customer.
The chair pads are so stinking cute!! I love how you put the squishy border on them. Adorable!
You always have such pretty and happy things! There is no way to look at one of your blog posts and not smile 🙂 I’m loving the grey suiting fabrics with the bright colors! I am a little bit nuts about grey at the moment (or the last 10 years, whatever)! Beautiful stuff Terri, you’re going to have very happy customers!
You never let us down. You always have such cute things. Love the colors, the fabrics and how you put them all together. The bags are really neat.
You always make us smile with how you put it all together.
Thank you for making my day.
This was nearly cruel and unusual punishment. I know my bag is in the mail but when I saw this picture I just wanted to reach through the screen and GRAB it… I’m SO excited!!
Awesome! Keep those orders coming, busy is always good! I adore the star bag. Very chic.
Hello Terri,
I am sure your customers are waiting with baited breath for there parcel to arrive. A great start for 2011 for you.
Happy days.
Bev.xoxo
Dearest sweet terri, it seems like the new year is off to a good start for you! I always adore custom orders and the items you made for your customers are gorgeous! I love them all. Wishing you a lovely merry happy weekend sweet frined and love to you!
Great projects Terri! I really like those cute little patchwork chair pads. That will make a nice set for the little girl’s table.
The artist tote with the orange lining is gorgeous!
Those lil patchwork pads are so cute and perfect! I love big bows too!
You are inspiring me! I’ve got my list of ‘needs’ and coupons to go shopping tomorrow 🙂
Thanks! and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
hugs, margie
It’s all wonderful you really have been busy. I can’t choose a favorite but I really, really, really love the bag for Michelle with the little stars and I always love the artist totes you make. I wasn’t too fond of the Innocent Crush line but the more I see it in projects the more I feel like I need it! Maybe the preview I saw online didn’t do it justice.