Prototype Coffee Sleeve, originally uploaded by Mindless Pursuits.

OK. I have this idea for making reversible coffee sleeves that have the same look as my pillows. I made this double-sided prototype, but I HATE it.

This side looks moderately OK, but the other side, which as the same asymmetrical pattern as my brocade pillows, looks HORRIBLE due to the bias tape.

So I’ve already figured out how I’m going to redo these. Unfortunately, it means a lot more work, but it’ll be worth it, and there won’t be any need for bias tape AND they’ll be adjustable to fit many different size cups - this one was made for a taller and thinner cup size like a Starbucks Venti (which is what I used to test my paper pattern).

Prototype Coffee Sleeve 2, originally uploaded by Mindless Pursuits.

This is an ultra-quick mock-up of what I would prefer the sleeve look like. I just ripped the bias tape off quickly and re-sewed this to be able to demonstrate what it looks like without the bias tape. To really do this, I’m going to have to redo my seam allowances and sewing approach so that the edges are neater and so that the stitching for the accent stripe isn’t showing. But for a really quick mock-up, I prefer this already to the last one!

Well, I actually did this a week ago, but I now have new product in my shop. Lately I’ve become obsessed with pillows. It started with needing to replace two of my own decorator pillows. Looking at what I wanted to do to replace those, I decided to go with a japanese motif. Then I thought about embroidering sakura (cherry blossoms) onto the fabric but knew it’d take me a long time to get the embroidery pattern completed so I decided to finally try fabric painting. The pillows turned out so well that I decided to make more!

From there, I thought of more designs, both painted and pieced, that I wanted to try, so played with different designs and fabrics before coming up with these:

These are brocade, satin and white velveteen and are very nice. I have more that I will be listing soon with other colors and designs. I’m really enjoying it. Who knew pillows could be so much fun!