This simple yet beautiful Lace Pillow is fun to make. The pillow can be made from any fabric but I loved covering mine with cotton velvet. I also had fun painting the cradle with a tole pattern but you can do almost anything from a simple stain, rubber-stamping, sponge painting or anything your heart desires. click here to see tole painting enlarged
The Cradle is cut from pine or other wood of choice. I used ¾" pine as I knew I would be painting it. Painting, staining or decorating the wood was done after it was assembled to better camouflage the screw holes. click here for pattern to print
After the wood is cut from 1" pine, planed to ¾" sand the wood well. Pre-drill holes on the end pieces and screw on the rails. My rails are about ¾" up from edge and also recessed in by the same ¾". Visually this looks nice. After putting the rails on, I filled in the screw ends with putty and after it was dry, sanded it smooth. I then painted the whole cradle with acrylic paint.
Making the Bolster Pillow- method 1
Make a inner pillow by using plain muslin. I cut two 7"circles. I also make a tube from a piece 22" by 18" sewing along the 22" side with a 1" double seam (for strength). Then sew the small circle to one end of the tube by pinning at 12 o'clock, 6, 3 and 9. Then ease between the 4 points and stitch 1/2" seam and another at about ¼".
Now it's time to fill the tube with sawdust. First insert a cardboard circle 6" in diameter. I use 2 thicknesses of mat board but use what you have as long as it's strong. Then fill with fine sawdust (I like what is produced by a table saw). It needs to be packed in very tight. Continue to fill until the height reaches about 13 or 14". Add another cardboard circle and baste tightly closed. I then stitch the other circle over the end by hand. At this point you can wrap around length with wool or felt once or twice and baste circle of same to both ends, but this step is optional. I like the feel of the finished bolster better this way.
Making the Bolster Pillow - Method 2
I start with a heavy tube of cardboard or a foam "noodle" about 12" long. I wrap it tighty with leftover blanket fabric, old quilts, and or batting to build up the size. The last wraps are preferably wool or felt.
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