Introducing: On Parade panel and a floor pillow project

Hello! I’m back to show you some more fun we’ve had with this fabric. Children at Play was designed with a lot of projects in mind. As a designer, I really had to think about how this fabric would be used with children in mind: I thought about clothing, bedding, interiors and quilts. You’d think, “Well, of course…that includes it all!” But, when you are designig fabric, you really need to think about the end result. And this panel print was intended to be a runner for the bottom of skirts and dresses, but I hadn’t realized how well it works for bedding or like this….floor pillows.

Now that I have this fabric in my hands, it’s really amazing to see it in use. Being my first line, I’ve never had the experience of having something in my head translate into something in my hands like this. I mean, to see your illstrations on paper is one thing. But to have your children snuggle up and sit on them is another. I am still pinching myself!

This is called On Parade, and it runs on both sides of the selvedge, so it can get double use.The one below is with the Rocket Launch Club and Rocket Prints. I am rather addicted…and want to make so many more!

I found this floor pillow tutorial on Living with Punks, and this panel print works perfectly for it. It’s inspired by the floor pillows at Pottery Barn, and are really nice because they are flat on the top, and they have a handle for the children to move around the house. Here’s the post with pictures and instructions.

I will add that we added an inch to the top, and good 5 inches to the length of the side fabric to make it a wee bit bigger. I also added some upholstery grade iron-on lining (by Pellon) to make it a bit more ready for lots of wear. You can get it at any general fabric store. It’s a pretty easy project, and really fun to make!

My kids love these. They really are the perfect portable furniture! I am SO glad I found this tutorial. They are getting a lot of use, and I think we need some more around the house. Right now we use them in the “library” (our living room) since we don’t really have much furniture in the house. So I just had to share…I think you’ll love making them too! Have fun!

20/06LITTLE SPACES

http://mary-quiltingrandma.blogspot.com/ Mary C in WA

I love your new fabric. Glad to knwo it will be shipping soon! The stitchery kids are adorable, too!
These portable stools look like a fun project for a G-ma to make…
http://www.handmadedresshaven.blogspot.com Kathy

I love this idea! I am in love with your fabric and ordering a ton. I think these would look great in our house.

How much polyfill does it take to fill one pillow?
Sarah Jane

HI Kathy! This was about 1.5 – 2 bags of the polyfil at Joanne Fabrics. I can’t say how much in size, but it takes a bit. I just use the inexpensive kind, and it works great. the more the better…don’t be afraid to fill it!
http://www.isthisreallymylife.com/ Emily

Wow! I love these floor pillows! We have a similar style pillow and the kids are always fighting over it. So versatile and easy. Of course, your designs are much cuter than what we have here at home!
http://www.madebymum4.blogspot.com madebymum

I can see lots of uses for these. Just added to my enormous “to do list”
Michelle

SUPER SUPER cute! Those fabrics are great!!
Alice S

These are great! I’m bookmarking this post and hope to make the rocket one for my sons. I can’t wait for this fabric. The girl prints remind me of my daughter and the rocket party prints look just like my son and his friends at his rocket birthday party this year.
http://www.lesbonnesideesmag.com/nouveau Theresa (Miss Charlotte)

I love it!! The cutest fabric I’ve seen in a long time…aren’t you just the talented one?! Thank you for introducing me to Living with Punks. Cheers!
http://lifeinlists.typepad.com Jo

Fabulous floor pillows! I am so excited about your fabric line, especially as I see more of it sewn up.
http://www.portabellopixie.typepad.com Sandi Henderson

Please send Ella to me for a month. I want to bury my face in her cuteness. The other kids are welcome too, but they don’t have those soft squishy parts anymore. ahh..

OH yeah, cute fabric too.

Sandi
karin

I will need to make at least one of each, thank you very much! Looking forward to seeing this fabric in my home!
liz

I LOVE the floor pillow! I can’t wait to make one when your fabric comes out!
Katja Magus

You may want to mention that fabric fairy has your fabrics up for preorder at a special price, I don’t know anyone else that is taking orders yet, free shipping over 99$!! I’ve got mine!!
http://ahousefullofmoxie.com MOXIELisa

I am loving those pillows! They go perfectly with your fabrics.
http://www.heaveninthehome.com Laryssa @Heaven In The Home

They’re wonderful! How exciting.
Liz Rose

Hi , I love the pillows, an know the exact tutorial as I used it last year, Am definetely going to be making some little rocket ones for my two!!I absolutely love your fabrics!!
http://bybido.blogspot.com Jill

I absolutely love this! I’ll have to make these!
http://Seasonschoke.com Beth Emmett

How cute. You are so creative and I can’t wait to try these out.
http://seasonsofhome.blogspot.comm Beth Emmett

Sorry, this is the correct website.
Wendy

I can’t wait for your fabric to hit the shops. The pillows are just adorable! Another project to add to my list!
http://www.myblondeambitions.blogspot.com Nancy J

um you need to show those to someone at PBK because they should be making them with your FABRIC! I’ll try to find a connection for you, not that I have any, but we can find someone, right! Ha. Anyway I’m dying over all the cuteness of your fabric, so, so cute!
http://impulse2soar.wordpress.com Amber

These are so fun! I love that your fabric line has specific ‘boy’prints. My little guy is always jealous of the things I make for his big sister and I am always racking my brains trying to think of things/find prints suitable for him. I love the rocket launch club!
http://peekabooprints.blogspot.com jenny

Sarah, these are darling! i can’t believe you are such an awesome seemstress! i know mine would not turn out like these but i would love to attempt them anyway!
http://athomeingeorgia.blogspot.com Jeni

Hi Sarah! I love this fabric line. I live in Korea at an Army Post in the heart of Seoul, Korea. We have the most wonderful quilting group on post. Before I moved here I never knew Korea was quilt heaven…it truly is. Somehow these folks get all these designer fabrics so I have tons of the Children at Play line…boys and girls. One of the fellow military wives I have fun at quilting club with went in with me and we bought tons of this and we split it and she knows your blog so we are so very excited. My friend Kim just called me today to let me know about your blog so I have lots of looking around to do. Thank you coming up with this beautiful line.
Sarah Jane

Thanks so much you guys. I know you will love using it! I can’t wait to see what you all make with it!
http://140fingersandtoes.blogspot.com Alison

I love these! I seriously thought about stealing that girly one from the meeting the other night.
Ali

I love your fabric and the design of the kid reading pillows! Adorable! You are amazing! I must take a beginners sewing class soon! I’d love to learn to make one of those floor pillows for my 3 kids!

~ Ali
Emily

When you say you added an inch to the top, does that mean you made the circles 18″? Or does that mean you added 1″ to height of the long strip around the sides? And five inches to the length of the sides? If you have a second to clarify, that would be awesome. I LOVE the pillows and in your fabric they are so sweet! Thanks for posting this project, now I’ve got a cool project on my to-do list!!
- Sarah Jane
  
  Good question…sorry about the confusion.
  
  The inch I added made the circle top 18 inches in diameter rather than 17. So, the length of the side piece had to be a bit longer…I can’t remember exactly…I think it was an extra 5 inches or so. The Extra is nice because then to close it, you have a few more options. Hope that helps!
http://polkadotsandpuppies.blogspot.com Rachel

Sarah! I am a long time fan of your beautiful illustrations, and I just discovered your new line of fabrics. I must say that I am positively giddy about them! I’ve designed my entire playroom around them, and am now counting the days until I can get my hands on them!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
http://sunshinehillstudio.blogspot.com Christine Grove

Seriously the cutest floor pillows I’ve seen. LOVE.
http://loveaspendesign.com Aspen

Sarah,

I am a long time fan of your illustrations!! I even used you as one of the people that inspires me in a little book I made for a class assignment. I love, love, love this fabric. I also have a daughter named Ella that will be turning 2 in Sept. I had always loved that name and envisioned a cute little girl of my own when I would see your illustrations. I plan on making this little floor pillow for her but am not sure where to purchase the fabric. Will it be available to order online anywhere or in any stores in California? I am sure she will love the pillow as much as I.
- Sarah Jane
  
  Yes! It will be available in CA for sure, i just don’t have a list yet of stores. I believe it is shipping this week, and so I should have a store list soon! Thanks so much!!
  xo
  sarah
http://Www.sweetunwrappinglife.wordpress.com Claire

Sarah! I can’t wait for you to release this fabric! Showing all these super cute projects is just adding to the torture I love it! I actually just made my own little girl a floor cushion based on the living with punks tutorial, not with Children at Play fabric but fun all the same, I have another one to make so maybe….
Emily

Thanks so much for clarifying! I appreciate it since I’m sure your to-do list is VERY long. I can’t wait to get started once I get my hands on your beautiful fabric. I’ll for sure post in the Flickr group
http://itunes.apple.com/app/id520350270 Chinese Flashcard

Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally seek advice from my site =). We may have a link alternate agreement between us!
Erin

Do you sell these pillows?
Erin

Do you sell these pillows
http://blogit.idg.pl blog IT

I was more than happy to seek out this internet-site.I wished to thanks on your time for this glorious learn!! I definitely having fun with each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you weblog post.
megan miles

As a fellow pattern designer, I’m appalled that you would rip off my design!! It is exactly my pattern right down to the fabrics, called the Sweet Seat by Little Londyn. And since my pattern has been out for over two years now, it’s more then obvious. Shame on you Sarah Jane. I had a lot more respect for you before this. And my distributors will be sure to see this.
Megan Miles
http://www.sashgals.bigcartel.com
- http://www.sarahjanestudios.com/ Sarah Jane
  
  Hello Megan,
  
  I’ve sent you a personal email on this matter, but like other commenters stated, you have nothing to worry as I was simply featuring another pattern from another company who provided a tutorial over 3 years ago. And as a fabric designer, I take pride in featuring the pattern designs of small companies to whom I can give credit and attention. I appreciate your concern, but it seems to be a small oversight, with no reason to be upset from anything here in this space.
  
  Best regards,
  
  Sarah Jane
Helen McCallum

Well I certainly won’t be looking for inspiration from Megan Miles, such sour grapes and to make these comments publicly………..poor form. unprofessional and so damaging to your own brand.
Nic Mitchell

Was it not obvious Megan Miles, that the pattern was from elsewhere? Perhaps you should take it up with them.
Emma Tate

As the previous comment states Sarah Jane points out this is someone else’s tutorial. And that tutorial is 3 years old and I’ve seen it doing the rounds on pinterest. Maybe they should be having this conversation with you Megan Miles as it looks to me as if you ripped off their free pattern to make money for yourself!!! That I would say is very bad form!
emily hathcock

I love SJ and all that you do!!! Have the parade print running along the bottom of my daughters panels. It makes me very happy(-: Ill be steering clear of anything MM
Dawn Hunsdorfer

Is it best to use fiberfill for filling? or has anyone tried bean bag pellets? Thoughts on which is better? Thanks!
- Jen
  
  I too, would like to know how bean bag pellets work. I’ve made the cushion using this exact tutorial with fiberfill, and my kids sink right down to the ground, even though I filled it to the max!
Lauren

Excellent and professional response Sarah Jane to Megan’s very unprofessional and immature post.
Reading things such as her comment really turn me off a business so Megan you’ve just lost a potential customer.
Thanks for this post Sarah Jane! Love it!
Rebecca Jenkins

these look perfect for the kids room! thank you for sharing! I might have to make some of these – how long did they take to make?