The Sewing Place

Keepsake cushion

Sewsuzie

Keepsake cushion
« on: May 19, 2017, 19:25:11 PM »
Not the sort of thing I normally do, but I was asked to make this cushion back in March by one of my customers.
It was a Dolce & Gabanna shirt he'd had for over 20 years when he first met his partner, and it held some precious memories for them. They were both a bit sad that it had started to wear out and wasn't fit to go out in anymore. So, he decided to secretly have the shirt made into a cushion, as a birthday gift for his partner and a keepsake for them both.
What a fib he told...... said it had been ripped to shreds in the washer and he'd had to throw it away!
Anyway, the shirt was a bit on the thin side, so I backed it all with a soft cotton fabric, before stitching down the button stand, so that it didn't gape like a man with a bay window belly, ( we've all seen them, haven't we? ;)). I rescued the ends of the collar that weren't frayed, to make a faux neckline and made a mock Oxford pillowcase edging using the offcuts, as the shirt wasn't big enough to do it all in one, then fitted an invisible zip to the bottom edge.
As a finishing touch, I stitched the inside label onto the back along with a spare button.
When he came to pick it up, he was overwhelmed and gave me such a big, heartfelt hug, he almost had me welling up. His partners birthday was yesterday and he rang me today to say how much he'd loved it, and it was the best birthday present ever!!
Made my day  :) :)



Suzie  :vintage:
Never let your sewing machine know you're in a hurry

Lilian

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2017, 20:10:49 PM »
That's a lovely cushion, and such an emotional story to it.  Wonderful!  :toast:
Willing but not always able :)

Lantana

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2017, 20:04:22 PM »
What a heartwarming story! You did a brilliant job of it! <3

L :vintage:

Barcoded

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2017, 21:00:39 PM »
The spare button addition was such a lovely idea
I think I have joined the 201 club

Jo

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2017, 21:06:59 PM »
Well, I shed a tear  :'( That's such a lovely story, and the cushion looks amazing!

Sewsuzie

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2017, 21:20:12 PM »
Loved making that cushion!
This is the lovely review he gave me on my Facebook page :-

GM- "As the recipient of this cushion for my birthday yesterday, I want to say a huge "Thanks" to Sue for a work of such amazing quality. It is quite simply a flawless work of art and even the zip is hidden. It looks better as a cushion than it ever did as a shirt and has pride of place on my favourite chair. Once again, many thanks."

Sue- "Glad you like it G..., it was a pleasure to make it. Hope you had a lovely birthday yesterday.

GM- "The cushion turned just another birthday into a very special one!

I think he liked it  ;)

Suzie  :vintage:
Never let your sewing machine know you're in a hurry

Surest1tch

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2017, 10:57:06 AM »
What a lovely story and a brilliantly made cushion, you made a really good job of that

Lowena

Re: Keepsake cushion
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2017, 11:21:56 AM »
Lovely cushion  <3
Triumph of hope over experience :D