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Free Bird Makeover

I decided recently that I'd like to repurpose my Free Bird sampler so that I can display it a little differently this year. So I removed it from its frame, dyed it in a black walnut brew (a coffee dye would work also), and set to making it into a walnut-shell-filled cushion. I'm very please with how it turned out!

Here's the front of it…

IMG_1072

And here's the back…

IMG_1075

Since I sewed it shut using very crude stitches on both the back seam and the side seams, it will be easy to take apart, press out, and re-frame it, should I ever wish to do so. But I think I like it just as it is! (Nevermind the goofed stitch in the very middle of the back seam.. I have no idea how I missed making the "x" part of the little stars I was stitching!)

By the way, here's how Free Bird originally looked, stitched on 36 ct. Vintage Basketweave by Lakeside Linens:

Free Bird Before

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend! I'm making cookout plans with Mom, and wondering how to break it to Mike that he won't be able to light his firecrackers this year. Maybe he'll be satisfied with a sparkler.

Or not.

11 Comments

  • Marlene

    I really like it as a pinkeep/pincushion. AND…you’re finishing is perfectly vintage!
    Love it.

  • Joanntx

    Love your repurposed of this design ! You are so creative! Doubt many would have noticed stitching error on back if you hadn’t pointed if out!

  • Helen Welsh

    That is a great idea! I would never have thought of doing that 🙂 Good luck selling the sparklers to your hubbie, don’t think mine would go for that! 😉
    Have a great week,
    Helen

  • Kevin T

    Wow! Love this design and really like ALL the various finishes you used to display it. Beautiful stitching and finishing. Happy Fourth of July!

  • Faye

    Very nice Paulette!!!! I love that look as well….. Isn’t it fun to “think outside of the box”?? You have true treasures~

  • Charlene♥SC

    Great redesign! I’m guessing Mike’s not such a good spectator, hu? Get him a bag of baby fireworks… I saw a display of sparklers and those ‘slam to the ground’ things that pop the other day. Oh, and remember those snake things that look like ash? 😎

  • Linda

    Brilliant as always, Paulette!!! It was my turn to have a spew alert imagining Mike sitting with a sparkler, LOL!!! Happy Fourth!!!

  • BarbP

    I love this so much I am just going to have to break down and get this chart for myself. Thanks so much all of your stuff is just absolutely gorgeous.

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