Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Need a little inspiration

It seems like forever since I have done anything "crafty" around here. I did complete a new-sew fleece blanket for the Princess last week. No small task considering I bought the fabric nearly 2 years ago it seemed like I better get it done. Now this week is her boyfriend's birthday and here I sit with yard after yard of fleece waiting to be cut and tied. Somehow I also need to complete a patchwork pillow before then from material that is from his sister's shirt and pants that were her favorite.
A rather challenging project on two levels. Number one is his sister was killed a couple years ago by a drunk driver, senseless and tragic death of a young life. He has not been willing to part with multiple items that belonged to her, but now for more tragic reasons, he and his mom have been forced to downsize to a smaller home requiring serious pairing down of their possessions. Princess convinced him to give the garments to me to turn into something more functional and meaningful than a shirt and pants shoved in a dark closet.
Well, problem number two is the two different types of material I need to somehow assemble into a very sentimental object. The shirt is a very light weight shirt cotton, you know, worn in, soft comfy favorite shirt. The pants are much heavier cotton, almost bordering on a canvas feel to them. Here is my dilemma. I'm not a seamstress by any means. Yeah I can sew pillows, straight curtains, whatever. Have even done a massive oversized denim quilt from Prince Charming's old jeans before that was a patchwork nightmare. What I haven't done is something where two fabrics aren't even close to the same weight! How in the world can I pull this off without the lighter weight fabric ripping or just looking goofy next to the much heavier weight fabric?
Need some seriously big inspiration here! Did I mention that I have as usual waited til the last conceivable second for this and his birthday is tomorrow???!!!!!