Handstitched Primitive-like Pillows

Making these primitive style pillows is work done the old way by those who understand what it means to "make it do." The result is priceless. Pillows that remind us of simpler times.

Tea Staining is an easy way to create an “antique” or what I call “the primitive style look”. When it is mainly to create my own primitive style pillows, I would make a fresh pot of hot tea – about 4 to 6 tea bags of unsweetened, no flavored tea. Then I would pour the hot tea either in a tall pitcher or a deep large bowl. For scented pillows, I would add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.

Add the muslin fabric in one yard lengths or less, enough that will stay completely under the tea/water level at one time when pushed down (with a spatula). This could take up to 24 hours depending on how dark you would like the muslin fabric to look. The more tea used, the quicker the dying process. Remember, it will look darker when wet than when dry.

Drying the stained fabrics can be done in several ways. In the winter months, I hang my freshly stained (wet) fabric in the shower. During the spring through fall, I hang them outdoors using spring style clothespins (attaching at the very edges).

If you must use the dryer – you should also throw some old wet towels into the dryer to clean the sides before drying any laundry at least twice,

MAKING PRIMITIVE STYLE PILLOWS

I make most of my pillows with homespun fabric backing. I also like to tea stain this as it gives it a unique primitive or antique look in its entirety.

PRIMITIVE STYLE STITCHERIES

My method is to tea stain after I have stitched. I t gives the shadowing between the stitched areas.

Last, save those scraps!! To create doll parts, ornaments, hangers, ripped ribbons, tags and many more.

Links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/creationsbyeverlastingbloom/

                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Simplify~~~~~~~~~~~~~~