Hi,

I'm BRAND new to the forum and I need some major help. I don't know if this is considered quilting, but its the only forum on the web that I could find that I thought might be able to help. Well, here's the project.

It is my girlfriend and I's FOUR year anniversary (since sophomore year in highschool) and I thought that this year I would actually make her something.I had already been interested in making custom dress shirts for work so I had bought a sewing machine that sees little use. I was browsing the web for ideas, when I came across a memory pillow. The example I saw was very elaborate, but being a beginner at sewing it looked very intimidating.

So, I cut out a paper piece the size I want the pillow ( I went a little larger then standard size so the pictures would fit perfectly. Now I've laid them out how I THINK I want to sew them together for the pillow facing. Believe me, any ideas are completely welcome...lol.

In the white space between the outside pictures and around the inside pictures, I wanted to use Green Bay Packers cotton fabric (we are HUGE fans.) Same thing for the backing. What would be the best and easiest way(still looking nice) to piece all of this stuff together for the pillow top. I am going to post a picture of what I have so far. :-D

[img]http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z.../papercopy.jpg[/img]

and something I just noticed...with the pictures on the outside border...when I sew the two right faces of the pillow top and the backing together...it is going to cut off 1/2 an inch of each picture around the outside. Is there any way to avoid this?

Speaking of ways to avoid the cut off around the border from the seam allowance. What if I sew a border of about 2-3 inches of the green bay packer fabric around the outside of the border...that way if a half inch is cut off from that it will not matter...Only problem is...how would I do that? lol

I would use a 1/4 in seam and I think that you would be okay for most of your pictures. Are your pictures printed onto fabric? I think you have a wonderful idea and she is going to love it.

the Pictures are just on paper right now. I'm going to run to Joanns in a little while and see if I can find that inkjet fabric paper that you can print directly on. If not I may be in for a LOT of iron on transfers.

What would work better for the project? Ironing the pictures with transfer paper onto some white cotton fabric or printing them on the "electric quilt" fabric sheets?

that will make it easier - when you lay out, print and cut out the fabric pictures, leave the seam allowance as extra. Sashing is totally up to you - you can use your alternate fabric or a color from it, whichever works for you. I love the Halloween photo!

What order should I sew everything together. I think that's my biggest problem. I'm scared of that sewing machine...lol

one more question. Is it okay to use fleece on a pillow...especially if you're already using cotton. I can't find any cotton green bay fabric locally, but there is plenty of fleece.

Can we clone you? you are just about the most adorable thing ever! What a sweet guy! Check Joanne's online and Hancock's also. You can also do a search for Greenbay Packers fabric. I would stick with like fabrics on the front so your seamlines are not bulky. Fleece on the back would be great though.

any chance that the local Joanns or hancock will have it?