Remodelista in Maine is an ode to the can-do, make-do, do-everything fashion of those that reside within the northeasternmost state. Written by our colleague Annie Quigley and printed final yr, the e-book is full of inside design inspiration that displays Down Easters’ practical-makes-perfect aesthetic. It additionally, not surprisingly, incorporates a plethora of DIY initiatives, together with this one which captures the essence of the area’s aromatic forests into one tidy pillow. Conceived and photographed by Remodelista/Gardenista contributor Justine Hand, the pillow (or sachet, relying on the way you dimension it) is straightforward to make—a fantastic souvenir whether or not you’re a born-and-bred Mainer or a smitten customer searching for the right memento.
Excerpted from Remodelista in Maine: A Design Lover’s Information to Impressed, Down-to-Earth Type, by Annie Quigley (Artisan Books). Pictures by Justine Hand.
Balsam Fir Pillow
Balsam fir is the perfume of Maine. That’s why sachets full of the bushes’ fragrant needles could be present in each memento store all through the state. For our reimagined model, we eschewed the anticipated lobster, lighthouse, and blueberry motifs and as an alternative selected materials that mirror the textures and hues of Maine’s woodlands and shores.
Supplies
- Balsam fir, both dried or freshly harvested
- Clippers, if utilizing recent balsam
- Cloth scissors
- Ruler
- Pen
- Stitching pins
- Stitching machine (optionally available)
- Needle and thread
- Widemouthed funnel (optionally available)
Step 1
Bulk dried balsam is available on-line. In the event you want to harvest your personal—say, after clearing a path or taking down the Christmas tree—first it’s essential be taught to differentiate balsam from its fellow conifer, spruce. Balsam has flat needles which might be spherical on the finish; spruce needles are square-shaped and have sharp, pointy ideas. To prep balsam to your pillow, snip the finer branches into small bits with clippers.
Step 2
Cotton, linen, and wool are the textures of Maine. For a recent, cool model for summertime, use linen or cotton; if you wish to make your pillow cozier, use wool (we repurposed an outdated wool child blanket for one among our pillows).
Step 3
Minimize two items of material which might be an identical in dimension. Place what’s going to change into the outer sides collectively, mark the define of your pillow (the dimensions is as much as you) with a ruler and pen on what’s going to change into the within, and pin.
Step 4
Sew with a machine or by hand, leaving a 2-inch opening on one aspect for the balsam. Flip the pillow proper aspect out. Utilizing a widemouthed funnel or your fingers, fill the pillow. If utilizing recent balsam, stuff your pillow very full, because the balsam will compact because it dries. Sew the remaining opening by hand.
For simpler nature-inspired DIYs, see:
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