reading nook cushion

i posted awhile ago about a new little nook we created in front of the fireplace....the kids and dog have been cuddling up there for a rest or to read a book ever since i covered the bricks with a soft blanket and put big throw pillows in front of the fireplace glass.  i figured 3 inches of foam padding might make it even more enticing to spend some time there so i followed this wonderful tutorial for seat cushions and just changed the dimensions for the big cushion i needed to cover.  other than my own silly procrastinating due to a fear of zippers, it didn't take too long to complete.  it just FELT like it took forever because i only got an hour or so here and there over the course of a few weeks during the evenings. some nights i didn't have the energy to get all the sewing stuff out of hiding (man do i sure hope someday to have a space for sewing that just gets to stay out and at the ready all the time), let alone for sewing.  tonight i just needed to finish the gusset, add the zipper and sew the top and bottom pieces to the gusset (i cut it all and made my own cording over the course of the past two-ish weeks). it was late when i was finally ready to pin and sew the top and bottom but i just couldn't stop myself...i wanted to see a finished product (and be done with getting it all out and putting it all away), not to mention there are halloween costumes waiting to be created, so i needed to finish this project so i could start the next!  here is the finished cushion (with awesome zipper, not pictured, so i can remove and wash it as needed).  the colors match the new valence i made for the front window of our livingroom (to replace the very boring cream ones i bought when we first moved here - to coordinate with the accent wall i randomly decided to paint blue during reid's last deployment).  i will make throw pillows to go along the back that match the solid brown and red fabrics as well as the blue of the wall and the pattern of the valence.  i think i'll probably use 24x24 inch pillows (or bigger) so its really a cozy spot to lounge.  i know its silly to be this excited about a little cushion and cover, but its really lovely to have something tangible to show for your efforts at the end of the day. :)

with just a blanket and some pillows from our couches (which will also be replaced with color coordinating homemade pillows, i have always disliked these...not to mention, more beige!)

made the cording...was easier than expected

baxter was not amused when i asked him to test drive the cushion...it is the middle of the night, afterall, and even sweet adorable baxter looks a little bedraggled at this time of night!

a view of our desk/sewing table - with the blue wall and valence i made awhile back. finally getting some color into our very tan and beige living room.

closer view of the pattern.