Sunday, February 7, 2016

There once was an ugly duckling.............


There is definitely no doubt about it. This pouffe is quite simply......."feio....brutta.....lelijk.....brutto.....ruma".....UGG-ER-LY, in anybody's language!



I happened upon this ugly duckling a little a while ago at my favourite market. It's beauty was long gone, hidden under years of wear and tear. But.....it had great bones, it was a great size and had oodles of squashy comfort for one's tippy toes; so of course it came home with me.

But....if this Little Muffet was going to sit on this little tuffet, or indeed rest her tippy toes on it, then it was going to need a little upholstery job. A little tarting up was needed to hide it's flaws. Indeed, this little tuffet needed a little sprucing up with some lovely  new fabric and just a little machine sketching, magic. It needed to be transformed from an ugly duckling to a, dare I say it, a lovely new swan.

I chose a lovely grey, linen look, upholstery fabric and snipped oodles of flowers from my fabric stash. Here are some of the flowers and patterns that have oodles of possibilities.


First things first. I draped the fabric over the pouffe with the right side of the fabric facing the right side of the pouffe. I chose a wide fabric so that I could do this without too much fussing around. Who wants to waste time fussing, when one's fingers are itching to commence the stitching magic! I pinned the four sides making sure it was a snug fit with a good size hem at the bottom.



I then trimmed the sides within a couple of centimetres of the seams.



Turning the fabric right side out, now was the time to have a little fun. I ironed on vliesofix to the back of flowers and the other pretties and carefully snipped the flowers, butterflies, birds and whatever else founded their way onto the fabric, placing them in a meandering fashion across the fabric. When happy with my arrangement, the magic of machine sketching began.

First things first. To draw with your machine, you need to drop the feed dogs on your machine. This enables you to move the fabric under the needle in any direction, as fast or as slow as you desire. You will need a free-motion embroidery foot, also called a darning foot. With my stitch length on the machine set on zero, I was ready for a little magic.


Drawing around the outside of each pretty with my machine, moving my fabric as one would do with a pencil is truly the best fun. Normally I would only 'draw' around each piece a couple of times but as this fabric was polyester, I found three or four times was better. As it wasn't 100% cotton each smidgeon of a flower frayed within an inch of it's life. This step took a lot longer than would normally be the case. I do wish I had selected cotton, but this fabric was on hand and I didn't have enough cotton fabric with suitable flowers; and of course these flowers were pretty, giving me the look I wanted. What's a couple of extra days sewing, pulling one's hair out by the roots, anyway. Remember.....it is always about the look. I know, I know, it is a shallow gal that I am....but you knew that already. =)


Flowers meandering their way prettily around the fabric with butterflies fluttering their wings to the sweet tune of the nearby bird song.


I patiently machine stitched around each piece, going with the flow; really. I wanted a flowing, organic look. I didn't want any of the sides or the top to look the same. I wanted a feeling of whimsical whimsy.

On two of the sides I thought I might machine sketch some sweet birdies in bird cages, hanging from the flowers.


Oh look, there's Maisie peeking through the flowers. She is patiently waiting outside my sewing room window for her morning walk. Not today, Maisie, there is more magic to be stitched.

After days and days of machine sketching, the finished fabric is now ready to cover that ugly duckling.


I affixed the cover to the pouffe, pulling it firmly for a snug fit, stapling the fabric to the underside of the  pouffe, all the way round.

Voila, my new pouffe.......Miss Muffet's lovely new tuffet. So much prettier, than what was before.


Not an ugly duckling any more.





After all that machine sketching, surely it must be time for a spot of tea.



It must be time for this little Miss Muffet to rest her tippy toes on her gorgeous new tuffet and enjoy a little viewing of Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy......oh and of course knit some more of her pretty, aran jumper. I am afraid this woolly has been rather neglected this week. Perhaps some of that stitching magic can be transferred to a little knitting.


Have the most wonderful week, everyone. Until the next time......



Linking this week to Stephanie's, Roses of Inspiration
Bernideen's BTTCG Blog Party
Jann's, Share Your Cup Thursday
Mary's Sweet Inspiration Party


77 comments:

  1. What a wonderful creation you have made!!! It would indeed be a pleasant place to rest your weary feet... or have a quick sit down. Another Success Kim!!!

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  2. Beautiful! Ugly duckling has turned into a gorgeous refined poof.

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  3. A work of art. Anyone else would have just sewn a cover over it, but you created a work of art. You always amaze me with your talent.

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  4. OMGOSH what an amazing transformation!! It is perfection. Of course, I might be a little prejudiced since I love me some birds!!
    xx, Carol

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  5. So beautiful! What patience you have! Now it's just perfect for your toes. Have a blessed day.

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  6. Excellent. Beautiful work. What a fun project!

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  7. You have vision! What a remarkable transformation. The sewn cover is so pretty. Lovely with all the flowers, birds and butterflies. The bird cages really add to the design. You did it again...I am in awe!

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  8. You've made an amazing and wonderful piece of art. So beautiful to see, the flowers, birds and cages, its lovely. You can be proud of it.
    Hugs, Loes

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    1. Thank you, Loes, it was such a fun project to stitch. Have a lovely week. Kim Xx

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  9. Wow! What a fantabulous transformation and a real centre piece to the room. Hope Maisie gets her walk now!

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  10. Kim......how how HOW do you do such gorgeous sketching! Yes I know, you explained it but, those birdcages : ) Sigh..........
    Too too pretty. I would never leave my chair and that way get lots and lots of knitting done! I am in awe of that footstool. Perhaps I will appear some day as a spider and sit down beside 'her'
    : )

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  11. That is quite simply beautiful dear Kim & a most wonderful transformation into a swan indeed. I am so glad you mentioned how you do your free form machine stitching like that as I think next time I try, I shall remember to drop the feed dog. I am also busily peering at all the other loveliness in your room ... is that your lounge you are in with the gorgeous dresser & chair in the background?? Hope you have a lovely week too dear girl x x x

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  12. Pure Kim magic! Love the decorative stitching you worked over all the flowers. The two little birdcages are the very best part! Yes, definitely transformed into a beautiful swan :)
    Wendy
    PS love your sewing space!

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  13. Replies
    1. Thank you for your sweet comment, Fil. Kim Xx

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    1. Aww......thank you so much, Margie. How lovely to have you visit. I hope all is well up there in NY. Kim Xx

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  15. Definitely a wondrous transformation - all your time and effort was so worthwhile when you see the end result. I do home Miss Maisie forgave you, although I felt really badly seeing her sad little eyes pleading for a walk.

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  16. Kim you truly are an artiste. You had me until you said 'patience' and something about 'days and days'. Not my strong point....lol! But I can admire your work from afar, and dream of the day my patience gene kicks in. Just stunning! Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Haha.....I think we are all patient in our own way. Just look at all the lovely things you create, Mimi....I am quite certain they are not all fashioned in the blink of an eye. =) Thank you for your sweet comments, they have made me skip through my day. Kim Xx

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  17. Oh my gosh Kim, you simply amaze me! I would never even have been able to dream this up, little lone create it! The flowers are gorgeous, and those bird cages!! Gosh, it just makes me feel giddy!! Thanks so much for sharing it with SYC. What talent you have my friend!!
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thank you, dear Jann. It will be fun to be part of SYC.....see you on Thursday. Kim Xx

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  18. This little tuffet is quite simply, beautiful! Those magical bird cages are delightful. I have been looking and looking for a new tuffet myself to no avail. I sure hope that I can find the perfect one as you did. Thank you for sharing.

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  19. Oh my - your stitchery is gorgeous! I have plans to make a tuffett out of a strong box with a Styrofoam centre. Mine won't be anywhere near as pretty as yours but I am inspired to make it.

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    1. I am quite certain your tuffet will be gorgeous, Ann. A strong box with Styrofoam sounds like an excellent idea. I was fortunate to happen upon my pretty for the proverbial song. I would love to see photos of your finished tuffet. Have a great week. Kim Xx

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  20. Hello Kim,

    Please tell me you have a no shoes policy in your home, I would scream to high heaven if hubby put his foot anywhere near your beautiful creation.

    Have a great week.
    Bev.

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  21. Gorgeous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Have a lovely week !!!
    Anna

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  22. Oh wow it's beautiful what a transformation. :) x

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  23. Oh goodness!!! You sure do deserve a good hot cup of tea.
    How gorgeous is that!!! Beautiful work and I just love how
    you matched things together, you have a gift for sure.
    Cheers, Anita.

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  24. Seriously Kim...this is fantastic!!!! If ya don't mind.....I'd LOVE to highlight this with your butterflies for Tuesday Archives this week. (Love the picture of ya sitting back knitting! You crack me up!!) SMILES!!! V

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  25. OH my that is just Fabulous!!!! So very creative of you and Beautifully done, fits like a glove and your stitching is just amazing, I would hate to put my feet up on it. That is just wonderful, and very good choice in movie to stitch by :) Have a great week!

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  26. oh my...what real talent you have!! to see the potential, to create a masterpiece, it is a work of art!! a real rags to riches piece!!!

    now can we please talk about that piece of furniture that holds your t.v.?? i love, i want!!!

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  27. What a gorgeous work you've made, my dearest Kim !
    You've truly amazed me, before with your work at the sewing machine, and then, to put the embroidered fabric on your old puff, well, that, I'm sure, was a child's game !!!
    Congrats on your work, and thank you for sharing it,
    have a blessed new week
    with so much gratitude and love
    Dany

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  28. If anyone can spot potential in a long lost treasure, that would be you. What a transformation! It is gorgeous, Kim! Such lovely photos too, and how wonderful of you to pause at our favourite scene on your tv to take that photo ;)

    -Soma xx

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  29. What a tremendous work of art! I think this is wonderful and so creative. I love the colors and the freeform style! You did good! Thanks for sharing.

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  30. Truly lovely, very inspirational love the bird cages and the little birdies well done.

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl. Thank you for visiting my place. Kim Xx

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  31. Oh my Kim, your sweet little fingers surely worked magic on your ugly ducking footstool! Miss Muffet must be so happily drinking her tea and knitting away with her feet propped upon that work of art. I adore everything about your stool, especially all the whimsy and the darling birdcage. Happy Valentine's Day!! ❤️

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  32. Absolutely adorable! I love your choices and the bird cages were an inspired idea!
    What a delight to rest those tippy toes upon such a fine tuffet and sew a fine seam!
    Enjoy!

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  33. Wow - I enjoyed every step of the transformation (of course I didn't have to deal with the fraying fabric) and it turned out so lovely. Your room is precious - so sweet and dainty. A terrific project.

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  34. Wow. Very beautifully done. I'm impressed. I love how you placed your appliqués and the bird cages are perfect additions.

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  35. Wow Kim! Such a wonderful work! I love your free-motion embroidery! The sweet birds and cagges are adorable! Your room is so cozy!
    Happy Valentin!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  36. Oh my! You make it sound and look so easy but I know that it is not! What gorgeous, whimsical work you do. I just love your creation. Your whole room is a magical place that I could easily sit and knit in!

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  37. That's an a amazing transformation of an old, dated tuffet! It's larger than I had thought at first too. Your drawing skills have worked a treat here. Persevering with the polyester will also mean a little sheen is present. Almost too pretty to sit feet on! Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy have been very popular in our home the last few weeks with more than one rerun of the older tv series as well as the newer movie version - all while our eldest Miss was home (she has now returned to Sydney to prepare for studies - majoring in literature).

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  38. Oh my, that is gorgeous! Love the birdcages. Way too pretty to let anyone put their feet on though without first passing inspection!
    And I adore that chest of drawers as well - did you make that too?!

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    1. Yes, everyone has to pass the clean feet, inspection test, Jayne. =) Alas no, the chest of drawers is not one of our makes. I found it sitting in a shop window and I had to have it. Kim Xx

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  39. Darling friend, there is so much beautiful and whimsy right at your fingertips...you are truly amazing, my friend. Every little thing your touch becomes a work of art and love. Oh, how inspired I am by you!

    Dearest Kim, the trasformation is simply love and I am honored that you would share this with Roses of Inspiration - thank you!

    Much love and sweet hugs to you!

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  40. Oh, how beautiful! I am in awe. I can sew, but machine sketching -- so lovely, but not anything I would even attempt with my elderly and basic machine. This is so, so pretty.

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    1. Why, thank you for your lovely comments. It is a delight to have you visit. Kim Xx

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  41. That is a wonderful transformation! I especially love the little birds in cages. And Maisie also looks very pretty surrounded by flowers :)

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  42. Lovely blog! i found you thrue other blogger, would love to follow

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  43. From ugly ducking to pretty charmer. Love the birdcages and its so pretty I don't know if I could let myself or anyone else use it! You did create a work of art!

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  44. Wow, Kim, this is really exceptional! Your little tuffet is so pretty, especially with your lovely teapot, teacup and saucer. I love those little birdcages you have created.

    ♥Hope

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  45. How very pretty and so clever of you to create your very own 'fabric'! I just love the little birdcages. What a special place to rest your tootsies after all that work! I'm sure Maisie will be glad you have a resting place after you make it up to her with a nice long walk! Very inspiring stitchery! Hugs xo Karen

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  46. Just letting you know that this posting was featured today on my blog special features from the Monday party! Congratulations and Happy Valentines Day!

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    1. Thank you so very much, Bernideen. It is always a delight to visit and be part of your lovely party. Kim Xx

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  47. How gorgeous is that. I love the fabric and you are so talented. And the little hutch is beyond adorable. Deb

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  48. WOW! That is some transformation. I love the stitching you did. How do you keep it clean?

    Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

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  49. Gorgeous work and stitching Kim, so pretty, love your room too.

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  50. I love what you did, creating your own pretty fabric - perfect for the job at hand. The bird cages were a very cute idea, too.

    Your room is beautiful. Did you make those curtains? And where did you get that interesting set of drawers?

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  51. Sweet friend, I just HAD to feature this at Roses of Inspiration tomorrow! Thanks for sharing, dear Kim. Hugs to you!

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  52. Gorgeous! And the room is just lovely too! I am visiting from Roses of Inspiration today! :)

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  53. Oh my, that is so beautiful. Such intricate work! Gorgeous :)

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  54. Oh my word! Fantastical! Your talent is amazing and I just love your style. So happy to have found your pastel world! :) I collect LuRay Pastels, a vintage style pastel dinnerware from West Virginia in the US. Not sure if you have any on your china hutch, but I think you would like them, too. Enjoy the day!

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  55. Hello Kim
    I've just come from Stephanie's were this post is featured on Roses of Inspiration - CONGRATULATIONS!
    Not an ugly duckling any more but a beautiful swan!
    You are clever, I love the machine embroidery and beautiful fabrics you've used - a total transformation!
    What type of machine have you got for this work?
    Kim. it's lovely to meet you.
    Shane

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  56. Now that is one BEAUTIFUL makeover!! I love, love, love how it turned out!!

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  57. Hey cutie, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at Share Your Cup later today. Love this project! Of course, I love everything you do! :)
    hugs,
    Jann

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  58. This is just simply gorgeous !
    I painted my floor in the den with a paisley pattern - AND I have an ottoman that desperately needs a makeover - this would be perfect - except I can't even sew a hem straight LOL
    LOVE LOVE LOVE this !

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  59. Oh my what a beautiful and wonderful job you did ..it is just gorgeous and I also liked seeing Miss Maisie wondering when in the world were you ever going to get done and focus on her, lol ; so cute :)

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  60. This is just beautiful! Such an artful sewing project! The flowers are so pretty and the bird in the cage is so cute!!! You have amazing talent!
    Linda
    mysewwhatblog

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  61. This looks absolutely gorgeous!Congrats!I love the caged birds although I don't like real birds to be caged!AriadnefromGreece!

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  62. More beautiful butterflies!! What can I say but I'm in heaven. hugs ValeryAnne.

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  63. love it so beautiful thanks for sharing have a great weekend

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  64. It's so so pretty now this little puff! I love what you've done with it, you are so very talented and creative! It looks lovely and I'm so glad that you joined Sweet Inspiration!

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