Quilt

 One of the projects I have been working on is a quilted throw to go with my new, fantastic couch.  I got the fabric from Purl Soho, a knitting and quilting shop in Manhattan.  The selection of patterned fabrics they have is really spectacular.
My color choices compliment the couch, and the fabrics are really terrific.

I chose cotton batting for the inside, and the backing is a cozy, turquoise fabric with just enough fuzzy feel to make a perfect wrap. I couldn't be happier with the result, and I think my couch is well pleased as well.

A new lease on our couch

Last week I said, for the record, this is my couch.

I finished the new slip cover for the couch a few days ago, but circumstances have kept me from posting about it until now.  As usual, I got caught up in the enthusiasm of sewing and didn't take many progress photos.
John and I like dark woods and rich blues and we have furnished our apartment in objects of those colors predominantly.  I try to throw in some bright colors in accents to liven up our decor.  Of course for the couch I chose a rich brown body, and blue seat cushions.  The body is a thick, heavy linen that is durable and feels lush.  The seat covers are a cotton denim but not so thick as to be difficult to work with.

I got the fabrics at my favorite fabric store, the previously mentioned Halsey Fabric, in Newark, NJ.  They had these great copper covered zippers with blue trim and they installed in the seat covers really beautifully.  Most of you have already seen this photo.

I pieced the couch cover together piece by piece, pinning the pieces together on the couch like you would a dress on a dress form.  I then did a running stitch where the seaming should go and removed it from the couch.  That was the hardest part, getting the cover off without ripping out the running stitch was difficult, but after doing all the seaming it is so worth all the time and energy.

Our couch looks like new and feels like a whole new piece of furniture. I also discovered the couch has nice legs.

Next post, I'll tell you about the quilted throw, the new pillow, and my plans for what's next.

Plants

The sewing is taking too long, and my fingers are sore from all the pin pricks, but it's coming along.
Check out some pieced together quilt squares:

and my toes

Not to mention a near perfect zipper install:

(alright maybe now I'm giving away that the big project is a slip cover for the couch, but this was the third seat cushion zipper install and I was really pleased with it!  I had to share)
And to fill in your desire for pictures until the rest of the project comes together, check out my cherry tomato plant:

 And my oregano and basil:

I got a grow light about a month and a half ago so I am very pleased to be able to grow plants again.  We don't get much sunlight in our apartment, so previous attempts have not made it.

Furniture for sitting on

For the record, this is my couch:

It's a bit beat up.  I got it in a thrift store in central Ohio in October of 2009 and it traveled home to my apartment with me in the back of my car.  The car didn't make the cut when we moved to New Jersey, but the couch did.  It even has a television in front of it now.
The couch isn't in the best shape, it has really scary stains on the (underside of the) cushions, and the color isn't one I brag about much.  As you can see it almost matches the boring carpet of our current apartment.  But, I do like it.  It is not high backed, which I like because it makes the space around it seem bigger.  It isn't too deep, and the seat isn't too tall, so my tiny little legs can reach the ground on it.  It's not cushy, but you also can't slide into it and spend an hour trying to get out.

Also, for the record, here are some photos of various fabrics:

Any guesses on my next post?