pucker up butter cup

so while thumbing through martha's infinite list of craft ideas i stumbled upon this puckered pillow tutorial. i've seen it before but since i have a guest room remodel on the mind i thought "i've got to make these!" i read through the instructions - & tell me if i'm just "challenged" - but they don't make a lot of sense to me? especially when it came to the actual "puckering" process. i'm sure if i messed with it long enough i could inevitably figure it out but off of her text & images i feel a little nervous to get started.

my first apprehension is that she said you will need pillow cases to start off with - pillowcases themselves...no big deal...pillowcases shown in the image: "we used 20-by-20-inch Napoli vintage linen in Flax and Petwer, $57.50 each, and 15-by-15-inch in Plum Frost, $46.70 each, from libecohomestores.com, but you can substitute with any fabric of your choice" - A $60 PILLOWCASE THAT I'M GOING TO START STITCHING ALL OVER!? i don't think so! let's start off on the right foot - we know before i even begin that i will be working with inferior skills & materials but we'll see how it turns out.

to see the tutorial from martha's site click {here} - i take no credit for this idea

tools & materials:
Pillowcases (we used 20-by-20-inch Napoli vintage linen in Flax and Petwer, $57.50 each, and 15-by-15-inch in Plum Frost, $46.70 each, from libecohomestores.com, but you can substitute with any fabric of your choice)
Disappearing-ink pen
Needle
Heavy-duty thread
Pillow inserts, one or two sizes smaller than original case

step 1:
Pinch the Fabric
Start with pillowcase turned inside out. Using a disappearing-ink pen, create a grid of dots on case (each dot will be the tip of a fold).

step 2:
Double-thread a needle with heavy-duty thread, and knot. Pinch the fabric as shown. Pass needle through fold (the farther from the tip you stitch, the more puckered the fold will be); then pull it all the way around fold.

step 3
Create the Puckered Folds
Pass needle between doubled threads, below knot. Loop around twice; pass needle under loops, as shown. Pull tight; tie off. Repeat with each dot. Turn case right side out. Use a pillow insert that's one or two sizes smaller than the original case.

i don't want this dot pillow {from pier 1} but i wanted to show you the color fabric i am looking to find for my pucker pillows. i want to make the pillows larger than martha's to act like shams almost. i want that pukey green color {seen in the bottom right corner} but in a textured fabric like linen, burlap or even a "tweed-ish" feeling fabric. i want it to be solid but still interesting.

after i try this i will show you my inevitable masterpiece(s) and give you any tips or tricks i pick up along the way! if the past tells us anything {as mentioned here} i will most likely get really frustrated & mad, snap at my hubby, spend double the dollars i budgeted for the project & either 1.quit or 2.have a gorgeous homemade bed!

while i am at it i would also like to order this white quilt from pottery barn {on sale for $159 for a queen} found {here}. they have a couple other's that are pretty similar & the same price that i'd take too. {here's another}. yes please! a white crisp bed will be the perfect home-y backdrop for the rest of the room.

i already made a pulmet box for my window in that room that i was waiting to show you until it is hung up but since that may take a life time i may share it this weekend instead! i have also chosen paint & furniture for the room.

wait wait wait...

i know what i'll do! i'm going to show you a collage of my ideas for the room - coming soon from a blogger near you - ben & jen's guestroom redo: inspiration board / "the plan".

now that you are reeling with excitement and anticipation i will leave you for the evening!