Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Memories

A while back, my daughter was helping her son clean out his dresser drawers.  He had an old pair of pj's that I made for him.  The pj's were way too small for him, but he wouldn't throw them out.  He told my daughter that because 'grandma made them, he wanted to keep them'.  I think his dresser drawer space is more precious than keeping old pj's that grandma made.  But it did get me thinking, perhaps I should make him some sort of 'keepsake'.
He has developed a love for trains, almost a compulsion to learn all about every kind of train  there is.  This might  be something that runs in our family.  Look at my header!!!  Anyway, back to my grandson.



I found a picture of a train on the internet, I could use as a pattern.  I  went to the fabric department to find 'fat quarters' to design the train.  First I needed to draw an enlarged pattern.  I used saucers, and bottoms of glasses to get round circles.




Can you see the train engine?   Next I used my adhesive designed for materials and traced each piece on the color I wanted to use.




First I trace the pattern on the paper, then iron it to the color fabric I needed. The next step is to cut out the pieces.  Then its just like putting a puzzle together, to make all the pieces fit.




Just like this............




Next step was to sew all the pieces on to the pillow top.  I had some problems doing this!!!  I think my adhesive material is getting a little old, and somewhat gummy.  I'd get something part sewn and the needle would gum up.  It was frustrating to always take the needle out, soak it in rubbing alcohol, and clean the eye with the bristols of a tooth brush.  My efforts paid off, I am really happy the way the train turned out.  



I had a photo of him with his ear to the track, listening for a train to come.  I copied the picture on special material paper that can be run through the printer.  I then attached his picture to the pillow top.




 I then sewed the front to the back of the pillow.  And finished, with time to spare as a birthday gift for my grandson.  I hope he will like his Keepsake pillow and finds it in his heart to throw away those outgrown pajamas !!



One last finishing touch and its done!!




And that's the way it is.....................

27 comments:

  1. that is really sweet. i think he'll like it. :)

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  2. oh my gosh what a perfect gift, he will be over the moon with this , you did such a beautiful job!

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  3. Oh my word girl!!!! What a God given talent you have.I agree, he will treasure this. (And hopefully pass it down to his son one day)

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  4. WoW....you are an awesome grandma! What a sweet gift, something he will have and treasure forever!

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  5. Wonderful thoughtful gift! It helps that you can sew!! :)

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  6. Aren't you one sweet grandma! I bet he loves his train pillow.

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  7. What a neat project. He will treasure that always. I love the picture of him listening
    to the track, it looks like a postage stamp. So you are mailing him a gift.

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  8. You are one AWESOME Grandma! What a great gift! One I am SURE he will treasure!

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  9. Awesome job--you are one cool Grandma!! Have you ever tried Steam A Seam 2?

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  10. Muffy, that is just the neatest idea and completed project. I am sure a grandson who is sentimental about his grandma pajamas will treasure that pillow forever and ever. I am most impressed by your ability to create patterns. You have an artistic eye.

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  11. You are one Awesome Grandma. That is a keepsake for sure.

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  12. That is so personal, and creative. He may appreciate it now, love it, but when he is older, it will be a true treasure.

    I still have a quilt my Grandmother made me using as a pattern, a drawing of a flower I had made...that is my treasure quilt.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  13. Holy Canoli! That is fantastic!! You're so clever -- I stand in awe! I'm sure he will treasure it!
    Peace,
    Muff

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  14. So sweet.....I am sure your grandson will cherish ii always.

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  15. Muffy What a special grand son you have. He has a very special Gramma to make such a lovely keepsake... I hope he keeps both....

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  16. What a precious treasure for him.
    Bless you this weekend. Take care, Mildred

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  17. Cute idea! I made a quilted advent wall hanging and each train car/engine/caboose was a pocket. I made it not so Chrismasy looking si that it could be left up year around. He still loves it.

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  18. That pillow is wonderful!! I stole my son's little pj's and made him a wonderful picture frame then put a picture of him wearing those pj's all those years ago. It was a hit!! Your pattern of the train is awesome!!
    Gail

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  19. even I can see it is made with love!!

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  20. Very nice ~ and I'm sure he'll love it. What's your adhesive designed for material??

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  21. me again ~ also ... LOVE the touch of adding the photo of him with his ear to the train track making it soooooooooo much more personal. Very creative :)

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  22. it is beautiful and you are sooooo talented.. i can hardly sew a button on or repair a hem that falls out. i love trains to. the pillow is a perfect keepsake and looks great to.

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  23. Perfect Keepsake. You sew like I do, make our own patterns and make it work. Your train for your grandson turned out beautiful...I'm certain he will treasure it and keep 'track' of it always.
    Blessings

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  24. what an absolutely special thing to do for your grandson Muffy! William loves trains...but can I see myself doing something like this?! it's interesting when I was a kid the train was often used for transportation, by my family and relatives...way down the track to the west there was a big curve...so you couldn't see the train till it came around the bend. we were waiting at the station for a relative to come and my Dad told my sister and I to put our ears on the track and we'd "hear" the train coming...sure enough we did...exciting! when the grandkids were at the train ride to the pumpkin patch this past weekend my DIL wouldn't let the kids near the tracks...maybe when William is older (he's almost 3 now) she'll let him do the ear on the rail thing...I know he'd like it.

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  25. What a lovely special thing for him to keep. I'm sure he'll treasure it.
    Cheers

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  26. It may be decorated with a train... but all I see are hearts!!! They mean so much to us and it's our job as grandparents to etch in their hearts memories that they carry a lifetime. I know we are on the same page about this! Beautiful job Muffy!

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