DIY Envelope Pillow Covers

We recently purchased a bedroom set, complete with a reclaimed teak bed and 6 drawer low rise dresser. This is especially exciting because I have not slept on a bed frame in over 4 years! Although it is taking some getting used to; I have smoked my shin on the corner around 4 times already. 

We already had bedding and sheets but I wanted to add a punch of colour/pattern. I asked Brock (husband) which patterns he liked out of my stash and he picked the exact ones I was thinking! (relief). I then used two 16 x 16 throw pillows we already had and created envelope pillow covers for them. 

What you need: fabric, scissors, thread, sewing machine, pins

Here is how you do it (I followed this tutorial)

1. Measure your pillow. Mine was 16 x 16 (roughly, you do not have to be exact)
2. Pick your fabric for your pillow. 
3. Cut one square that is 16 x 16 (your final envelope pillow size will be 15 x 15 to ensure a snug fit on the pillow, we measure 16 x 16 so that we can sew a 1/2” seam allowance around the whole pillow)
4. Cut out two rectangles to make the envelope ‘flaps’ these will measure 16” x 12”. 
5. Hem your two rectangles one 16" side only. 
6. Place your square piece good side facing towards you, then place the rectangles good side facing down on top of the square. You want your hemmed sides in the middle. 
7. Pin all the way around the pillow and sew using a 1/2” seam allowance. 
8. Clip your corners and turn right sides out! 
9. Stuff your pillow in! 

Nursery Inspiration - Get Foxy -

Get inspired! Gender neutral foxy nursery ideas.

1. Sign; 2. Decor; 3. Lamp; 4. Dresser; 5. Pillow; 6. Stuffed Fox Pillow; 7. Rocking Chair; 8. Ottoman; 9. Fitted Crib Sheet; 10. Crib; 11. Area Rug

How It Started and Who is From this Town?

First off: Nope, I do not have a baby nor am I having one… yet.

Well, I thought I would just mention it and get it out there because it may seem odd that I am putting a large percentage of my daily energy into baby in the absence of a real life baby, but there is an explanation..

My name is Amanda Cortes-Martin and I am the creator, owner, designer and seamstress at From This Town, handcrafted modern baby pieces for travel and the nursery.  I live in Stratford, Ontario with my husband and our 4 year old little lady, Tetley (a Bernese Mountain Dog, named, not after the tea but the beer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetley's_Brewery). 

My husband, Brock and I have been together for 4 years and just celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary in February 2014. We went to the same high school, didn’t really know each other but had mutual friends. We both had our own experiences with college/university and in 2010 we met up again at an annual beer pong tournament that he hosts with his best friend and its out of control (in a good way)! Each team (partners) dressed up and there is a full day of round robin beer pong games to be followed up with a dance party that ends at 11pm because everyone is so tired from the full day of activities, and lets face it, we are not getting any younger. Our relationship is pretty much sweet history from there.

When I first started dating Brock, his second oldest sister (he comes from a family of 4, Brock being the only boy and the youngest) had the first grand baby and, well now, we are at 7 little ones between all 3 sisters! 

For my bridal shower my mother gave me my great grandma’s refurbished 1947 Singer sewing machine. I was so excited to create! When I get into something new, I pretty much put all my effort into it and hardly have time for anything else. At our first house the only open space I had for sewing was in the creepy basement, but I cleaned it up and made it work for me. If I was starting a new project I would sometimes work till 2 in the morning just so that I could see the finished product before I went to bed, because rest assured I would not be sleeping if I left a new project half way complete 3 floors below. Brock definitely thought I was going crazy, not going to sleep until the wee hours and then waking up at the crack of dawn to cut or trim something up before work! I was a bit obsessed, but hey, what you gonna do! Looking back I am so happy I went in head first, it allowed me to learn the basics really fast and progress into more complicated pieces. 

As the babies in Brock’s family kept arriving, I kept looking up different tutorials online for new baby pieces to make. Then friends started having babies and I couldn’t stop making items. I have this creative itch that I cannot scratch - so I decided I wouldn’t! I want that itch to stick around for as long as possible because I am having a seriously good time making modern baby items and forming my own little biz. 

Now it is back off to my sewing studio (aka last spare room in our house) to dream up something new! 

PS - I am not an expert on babies, obviously. I read lots and listen to what the mom’s around me say but I am always up for suggestions and new ideas. So never hesitate to contact me.

PPS - I choose the fabrics and pieces I create to reflect my own style and taste, so you will notice that I do not include disney characters, large logos or anything too ‘cutesy’, nothing against it, just isn’t my style.