Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Lovely Hexie Footstool

A few months ago I picked up this stool that was just screaming with possibility. The top opens on a hinge so you can store little bits and bobs inside. Not so pretty when I bought it, but I was just positive that it could become super cute some day. I also knew I wanted to use Tufted Tweets to cover it with, but wasn’t sure which fabric and which color. And then it went to live under a table in my studio and it just sort of stared at me for a while.



And then Sunday afternoon I had a hankering to do some sewing and started on hexies. Here’s my verdict… I really liked making the hexies. Very relaxing and I can definitely see the addiction. Such a pretty little pile!



But I really didn’t like hand-sewing the little guys together. I’m a sloppy and impatient hand sewer and my whipstitch just kept getting bigger and bigger as each little hexie was added on. By the time I was done, I have to admit I was pretty happy that my stool is tiny!! To those of you who have made entire quilts from hexies. All I can say is WOWZEEE. You are patient people.

So back to my stool… :) I had some of this super pretty blue high gloss paint (that just happens to match the blue in Tufted Tweets!) so threw 3 coats of it on the stool. Love high gloss paint! A quick trip to Home Depot yesterday for some new shiny hinges and ta-da. Meet my new foot stool!!





Nice stitching Ms. Wisbrun...You'll notice the whip stitching isn't exactly invisible...Oh well. I shall just say that it adds character!



My only sadness is that my kitty Zoe-cat isn’t here to enjoy it. She used to sleep on the ratty old one and keep me company in my office and just loved it. (I had to put my sweet girl to sleep in April. I was lucky enough to have her with me for 10 great years. I still miss her terribly. Sweet baby girl cat.) Sob...Sniff...

So in her honor, I think I shall name my stool the Zoe Stool. (Have never named my furniture before but in this case it seems appropriate, right? )



I still have some hexies left. I can just top stitch some of them onto a napkin or something right? I’d love to use them/make some more but need to find a way to use them without having to hand sew them. Do I need to put some interfacing behind them before I top stitch them on the napkin?

And I’ve gotten a few notes from ya’ll wondering when the Unfurnished quilt pattern that Ashley at Film in the Fridge designed for Tufted Tweets will be available on RK’s site. I’ve been told by RK it will be up very soon! As soon as I get word that it’s there I’ll make sure to let everyone know. Such a beauty that quilt is!!

30 comments:

Tina @ Squirrel Acorns said...

Oh goodness! That's awesome! I love it! And that aqua color is gorgeous. I need to start scouting garage sales for furniture with potential. I've been making hexagons recently too and just love them. Haven't made anything with them yet though. I wouldn't think you'd need interfacing for top-stitching onto napkins, but I'm not an expert.

Live a Colorful Life said...

That is the cutest stool ever. I have a round one that desperately needs to be redone. Tufted Tweets: absolutely! Hexies: uh, probably not. But yours are fabulous!

Tong said...

I love that stool, it looks so great with your new fabrics and the hexies! And I'm so sorry for your loss of Zoe, she looked like such a pretty and sweet kitty.

Anita said...

Wow, what a great idea!

DianeY said...

Really, really cute! All the colors work so well together!

Ashley said...

that is fabulous! such a perfect top for that footstool!

Megan said...

That is so freakin cool Laurie! I need to tell my husband to be on the lookout for an old footstool for me to refurbish now!

Keren Gillan said...

i really enjoyed reading your post it was so true beautiful and with pain ,i can realte to your story since i lost my cat kabuki this december she has been with me for 9 good years and im thinking of her every day ,it is so sweet that you named the stool an her name :)it is even more special in my eyes now ,it looks grate,love your work please keep on ....

Sarah Craig said...

Very cute! I'm kind of getting the itch to try hexies - it would be good to have something that doesn't require the sewing machine while we are traveling - but have resisted so far, since it appears to be highly addictive! This may inspire me, though...... Thanks for sharing!

LollyChops said...

Hey stranger! Tina sent me the link to your little footstool project! I LOVE it!

So sorry for your loss of Zoe... how fitting to name that little stool after your precious.

HUGS!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What a great "Cinderella" story! Your footstool is a winner.

EllensCreativePassage said...

Zoe sure looks like a sweet cat...I have a cat who looks a lot like her....his name is Frosty! I love the footstool re-do!

Laurie Wisbrun | Scarlet Fig said...

Thank you all for the sweet words about my Zoe kitty. Lula - I love the idea that she's snuggled up on her stool.

Amanda Elizabeth said...

Awe :( I'm sorry to hear about Zoe, a super cute footstool in her honor is perfect!

As far as top stitching them for napkins, you don't need interfacing at all!!! I like to use invisible thread in the needle and whatever color your main fabric is on the napkin for the bobbin. Then I zig-zag; grabbing the edge of the hex and the edge of the main fabric! As long as your machine will stop with the needle down, it's super easy & very fast! I did this technique on this bag after realizing that it would have taken me FOREVER to hand applique them on ;) http://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchtoastcake/3463947442/in/photostream/ You can see it looks invisible!
Was this TMI in one comment?! lol!

Megan V said...

Oh my gosh your prints look GREAT in the hexies on that foot stool!!! I am in love with your color choice. I just painted my sewing room that same color!!!!!! So sorry about your baby girl. It is SOOO hard to lose a cat. It is definitely a good thing to name the beautiful stool after Zoe... :) awww.

underthreefeet said...

I have a foot stool that is exactly the same. Now I know what i am going to do with it

Lisa said...

Love the blue! and the hexies!!!!

Cynthia Strickland said...

Oh my, it turned out so adorable! And I am impresssed with all those hexies, quite ambitious! I too have a little footstool in my sewing studio that certainly could use a little sprucing up. You have inspired me. Love the paint color you chose, it sets off your fabrics perfectly! Wonderful job!!

Caroline ~ TrilliumDesign said...

The stool looks fabulous - what a great makeover. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my own tufted tweets any day now. I totally hear you on the hand sewing - i'm doing that now on 1/2" hexies, not so fun. I have machine stitched them onto napkins before I just ironed them first before taking out the papers/threads and that way they stayed in place when topstitched them on my machine - not interfacing. Here's a pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/trilliumdesign/4617387185/
if you want more info - please email me.

Coco Dowley said...

What a beautiful lady Zoe was! She would be very proud of this footstool in her honor. Your fabrics look gorgeous--nice job!!!

rosie/the fabric shopper said...

So sorry about Zoe. We have 2 that are 12 and 1 that is 13. One of the 12 year old kitties is failing and I know the decision will have to be made soon. He also would have loved to lay on your spiffy new cover. I adore this collection!

Poppyprint said...

The stool treatment is darling!!! Just love it. Sorry about Zoe....

Colette said...

love LOVe love your hexie stool and the color is FABULOUS!

Dorrie said...

The Zoe Stool is perfect. Sweet kitty, kitty. Still my favorite fabric, it's so pretty, pretty, pretty!

Jodi said...

Oh, man, I'm tearing up just thinking about your Zoe! I have an Anissa cat and a Lacey cat who are 14-yr-old sisters! Not going to be pretty - they're getting old! Love your Zoe stool! You have inspired me to do over one I inherited from my mom - her sewing stool! Thanks!

Becky said...

I love it! The Zoe Stool is a fitting tribute to your wonderful furry friend!

Amanda ~ A Crafty Fox said...

that stool is fantastic!

i need to try some hexagons!

I♥thesecrazykids said...

I found the pic of your footstool on flickr and just had to become a new follower. I love it!

Dacia said...

this is SO pretty! purrfect name! ;)

Kristen said...

Super cute transformation! I love the aqua paint. Have you tried by machine? I am working on one by machine. I blogged the method if you care to peek.