Some Strawberry Peeks…
As a mom of 2 older boys and a little girl, many of the "girl" things out there are a bit unknown to me. My daughter was just as likely to play with a Power Ranger as she was a doll when she was a toddler. As she grows up, however, we quickly become familiar with all of those little girl milestones. This year we have joined the ranks of the Girl Scouts and are looking forward to joining the infamous cookie sales that I'm sure we are all aware of! In fact my husband keeps suggesting that we should sell them on our website LOL!!
Recently we have been working on some sewing activities with our little "Daisies" and it came to my attention that apparently one of the classic Girl Scout sewing projects is to make little newspaper stuffed "Sit Upons" to use during the weekly meetings.
When it came time to make our own little box cushions below, the topic de jour at our house was our "Sit Upon" projects and thus quickly became the name of this new pattern.
Just thought you might want to know that this wasn't my attempt at high brow English but rather a Girl Scout reference suggested by my daughter!
Pillow comes in 2 different sizes and is a perfect charm pack project for a Saturday afternoon…
Name: Sit Upon
Size: 14" and 17"
Fabric Used: Strawberry Fields in the foreground, Buttercup in the background.
Available here.
Talk to you soon.
About The Author
Sandy A | 2nd Feb 11
Thanks for the memories! I made a sit-upon in Girl Scouts MANY moons ago. Ours were made out of vinyl and we put a magazine in them. Years later (not tellin’ how many) I came across it and opened it up. The magazine was good as new!
LOVE the fabric, it is beautiful!
Thanks for the “peek”!
kathryn | 2nd Feb 11
I was a girl scout leader prior to our move last year and these would have been just perfect!
amber | 2nd Feb 11
Oh my gosh. Could these be any cuter? I think not! So will those work on any standard size chair seat? I might have to get outside my comfort level of quilting and make these if they’ll work on my kitchen chairs!?! I love them! Great job Joanna!
Mary Flynn | 2nd Feb 11
These are flippin adorable!! OMG! Love them!!! Love that fabric line and can’t wait to get my hands on some!
Janan | 2nd Feb 11
These cushions are so neat! I love the covered buttons as accents! I cannot wait to stitch up some Strawberry Fields!
Stephanie | 2nd Feb 11
Oh, oh, oh…how I love it. My mother still had my sit upon I made in Brownies in the 60s…oil cloth with newspaper inside then “sew” it with yarn around the edge. She mailed it to me…one day I’m going to open it up and take out the newspaper just for fun.
SarahB | 2nd Feb 11
How adorable!
Dianne | 2nd Feb 11
Definitely fancier than any sit upon I had in scouts! Fabulous design…and LOVE these little peeks of Strawberry Fields that you’re teasing with 🙂
Susan Bailey | 2nd Feb 11
Girl Scouts is just a wonderful organization! I know you and your daughter will love the time spent with all the girls and their parents. I would suggest using the cute laminated fabric that is out there now and when my Brownie troop made sit upon’s we used foam instead of magazines for the inside, so I guess they were a little cushier! Have fun, as these are the best memories. My youngest is 27 and was just married, so they do grow up quickly..
Sarah | 2nd Feb 11
I don’t have anyone in Girl Scouts – I want one of these sit upons for myself!
Chris | 2nd Feb 11
{drooling} {a lot}
I am getting a huge laugh out of picturing the other scout moms having to compete with Joanna’s daughter when it comes to the sewing projects and badges. Ha ha ha!
Seriously though, these are downright perfect. Glorious fabric, of course. Excellent boxy shape and the handle? Divine! I can’t wait to try this. Will start saving my old newspaper now LOL.
Tracey Holdyk | 2nd Feb 11
Oh yes I remember those “sit upons”, what memories you have stirred up. Love it. My little piggy box is getting fuller and fuller each week cause after seeing these I want more of this lovely fabric. What a fun thing to be saving for
love me 🙂
Cynthia | 2nd Feb 11
Hi,
As a girl scout (as a child and now as a life time member) and a girl scout leader for many years, I want to welcome you to Girl Scouting! You and your daughter will have lot’s of fun, make new friends, and learn many new things. Oh, yeah, and learn about sales, marketing, money management etc. when you start selling cookies. 🙂
A very cute name for a lovely pattern but I would never want to use them as an actual Sit-upon. They are too pretty to take outdoors!
To make outdoors Sit-upons, use a vinyl tablecloth and cut to a size that not only will you be able to sit on but will spread out a bit on all sides so your legs won’t be touching the ground or the bench, etc. Then insert newspapers or magazines. You can sew the sides but we used duct tape to enclose all 4 sides. With the new colors of duct tape, that was lot’s of fun! LOL!
Cynthia
Sandy G | 2nd Feb 11
Indeed the perfect cushion, really cute! Would be great for Moms who sit on the bleachers a lot watching the kids events. Thanks too for the Girl Scout memories. I do believe I have a few chairs that need a Fig Tree Sit Upon!
Joyce | 2nd Feb 11
I have been a Girl Scout for 40+ years, as a kid and a leader for four troops and I promise I have never made a sit upon that adorable!! So cute.
Joanna | 2nd Feb 11
Re: TypePad: [Fresh Figs] Chris submitted a comment on Some Strawberry Peeks…
We are just starting sewing projects and we laugh that the reason they let us join late is their hope that we would spearhead sewing in the troop over the next couple of years. I think I have many a badge to work on!
Thanks for the Girl Scout stories. Love em!
Joanna
Joanna | 2nd Feb 11
Re: TypePad: [Fresh Figs] amber submitted a comment on Some Strawberry Peeks…
They work on my kitchen chairs and are very easily adjustable to any seat size. We give you some hints on how to do that. Since you are cutting foam for the inside, it is simple to change the size slightly.
Hope that helps!
Joanna
WendyMT | 2nd Feb 11
I adore the pillows and know they are going to be an absolute must have for my kitchen chairs … but I have to say I love the story behind the title of the pattern even more. How lovely! and what a treasure to remember 🙂 Thank you for sharing … now I’m off to find your pattern 😉
laura huffman | 3rd Feb 11
oh that is so cute. love it, and the material. was a brownie, didn’t make it to girl scout’s. enjoy.
Debbie Storjohann | 3rd Feb 11
Sit-upons. So many good memories in girl scouts and as a troop leader. I want your cushions! Mine was made with my Mom, who was a fabulous sewer. It was made out of oilcloth and an old quilt inside. The quilt was taken out when the sit-upon was pitched many years later.
I love the fabric too.
Pepe | 3rd Feb 11
Just wonderful.
Patty | 3rd Feb 11
Those are just darling. I love the idea of putting a handle on them.
Danielle | 3rd Feb 11
If you used vinyl it would make a great stadium seat! I also love the idea of selling cookies via your website!
Abby @ Sew Much Ado | 3rd Feb 11
That is gorgeous – that fabric, the “sit upon,” all of it!
Jean | 3rd Feb 11
Joanna: Just when I think you can’t possibly come up with one more uber-cute pattern…WHAM! These are adorable. I’m always taking my mom’s old kitchen chair cushions to retreats to sit on. This would be so much more befitting the day!!Thanks to your daughter for her input.
I’d order cookies on-line from you! I haven’t seen them around here yet. Hubby is on a very strick diet and I could tell him, “Oh, that’s just more Fig Tree stuff!” LOL!
Erica K | 3rd Feb 11
That’s absolutely adorable!!! I love the source of inspiration. 🙂 And actually, my chair cushions could stand to be replaced. ;D
Warwick | 3rd Feb 11
I just cant help my self to truly adore your great decorating fabrics collection. I haven’t seen such a cute-lovely piece of chair made of fabrics. That was just fantastically awesome. Very creative.
Dawn | 3rd Feb 11
Oh how adorable…I must buy this pattern..there gorgeous…
Hugs Dawn x x x
Joanna | 3rd Feb 11
Re: TypePad: [Fresh Figs] Danielle submitted a comment on Some Strawberry Peeks…
I love the idea of making them vinyl, or laminate in our case. I might have to get right on that! Thanks for the idea,
Joanna
Joanna | 3rd Feb 11
Re: TypePad: [Fresh Figs] Jean submitted a comment on Some Strawberry Peeks…
Thank you!! In fact, we were just thinking the other day, that we should make a version where you have 2 of them linked together with some simple ties, one for the cushion and one for the back…. Perfect for retreats, etc! Might have to get on that soon!
As for the cookies…. Perfect way to get them in the house.
Joanna
Dawn | 4th Feb 11
Oh these are just perfect! I need to make a few!
Marie | 4th Feb 11
I’m 46 and my daughter is going to be 22 this month and we still have our sit-upons. Mine from the 70’s and hers from the 90’s both made from oil cloth/picnic table covers and cut to fit newspapers folded in half. They were always surprisingly warm to sit-upon!
I enjoyed teaching the girls in my troop as much as I enjoyed learning how to make them from my leader thirty some years ago. It was a nice introduction to hand sewing for the little girls.
Enjoy scouting and thanks for the fantastic update of a wonderful classic!
pat sloan | 4th Feb 11
love how it came about! i did most of my ‘scouts’ in Germany… we did not have a sit upon… wonder why?
Amy DeCesare | 5th Feb 11
That’s the cutest thing I’ve seen in ages! Love that handle on the side! I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout, too. And I still order cookies, of course. I’m in love with covered buttons, too – what a sweet touch!
Karen | 5th Feb 11
This is a great idea! I would like to make one to take along on quilt retreats to boost me up in the chair!
pam | 6th Feb 11
My dd’s sit upon is still hanging in her closet. She is 27 now.
this is beautiful.
pam roever at yahoo dot com
Bette | 6th Feb 11
Sit Upons have come a LONG way! My mom was my Brownie leader in the ’60’s, and I was a Daisy, then Brownie co leader in the ’80’s. Do Daisy’s sell cookies???They didnt way back when int he 80’s
Colleen | 6th Feb 11
That is the most beautiful situpon I have ever seen! Dont want to take that one out camping! Thanks for the beautiful memory.
julia | 6th Feb 11
just love the new pattern…it’s sooo sweet & i can see a dining room makeover as soon as strawberry fields hits the store!
cathy loran | 6th Feb 11
very cute pillows
Linda P | 6th Feb 11
A lot prettier and comfier (is that a word??) than my grand girls sit-upons!! They are beautiful! Maybe we can start seeing some “swap” ideas too – LOL!!!
KatieQ | 6th Feb 11
Welcome to the wonderful world of Girl Scouting. I am a life member who started as a girl (missed Brownies), served as a leader for 2 troops, summer camp volunteer, served on various Council committees, and am the mother of a college senior who earned the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. I was lucky enough to join my daughter on a Girl Scout trip to visit Our Chalet and the Swiss countryside.
Whenever my daughter finds someone doing something dangerous or foolish she always remarks, “That person was never a Girl Scout or they would know the proper way to do that.”
My sit-upon was made in the 1950’s and was still in use until 1976 when a mouse nibbled through it where it was stored in the basement.
Thanks for stirring up some beautiful memories. Your pattern will be a must for me.
Marj | 6th Feb 11
Thanks for the memories, my girls are now over 18. the sit upon pattern you shared is beautiful.
Colleen | 6th Feb 11
Love this pattern! This is great!
SewLindaAnn | 6th Feb 11
I absolutely love the fabrics used with that pillow. Thanks for sharing and I definitely plan on making one. It’s a wonderful pattern.
Dee | 6th Feb 11
I’m guessing your daughter will have the nicest cushion in her troop! What a great project to do together.
Alicia | 6th Feb 11
Super Cute!
Nancy | 6th Feb 11
Oh, Joanna, these are the most gorgeous seat cushions I’ve ever seen! I have made cushions for my kitchen and dining room (upholstered) before and they have turned out pretty well, but they were not anything I could really get excited about! Being a quilter, I mainly just get excited about quilts, but these are just too scrumptious to not make! I’m going over to your site to order them right now…just love them and all your beautiful fabrics, especially your newest Strawberry Fields! Can’t wait to get my fingers on some!!!
Thanks for entertaining me so well with your creative genius!
Hugs, Nancy
sherry | 6th Feb 11
Your sit upons are just gorgeous. No surprise since they’re made using your fabrics. I remember the sit upon from Girl Scouts. My daughter was in Girl Scouts and now my granddaughter is a Girl Scout. Thanks for the memories and for sharing a peek at your new fabrics.
Vicky | 6th Feb 11
Love the pillow! Must make one for my office chair, which gets uncomfortable towards the end of the day!
Syd | 6th Feb 11
I absolutely love the pillows!!! I don’t remember these as a girl scout. But wouldn’t these be wonderful to take to grandchildren’s games to sit on. Can’t wait to make them. Thanks!!!
Irene | 6th Feb 11
I have been looking for something like this for our grandson’s baseball games – this is perfect! And the Strawberry Fields colorway makes me think of Spring and baseball. What a great idea!
Cyndi | 6th Feb 11
Those pillows – Sit Upons – are just too stinkin’ cute! I especially love it made up in the Strawberry Fields…those fabrics are soooo me! The Buttercup is great too…but I am in love with Strawberry Fields! Thanks for sharing…I’m off to get that pattern and will be getting some of that fabric, too! :o)
XOXO,
Cyndi
christy romine | 6th Feb 11
Love your cushions! Too cute, and the fabric is gorgeous, of course!
mimi'sdarlins | 6th Feb 11
What a darling pattern, and of course, your pretty fabrics make it even better 🙂 I can see making several of these for all over the house!
Carol T | 6th Feb 11
Those are really cute pillows. I think your strawberry line of fabric is really pretty and I love the quilts you designed with that line.
Pat | 6th Feb 11
The best yet in the pillow blog. Love it!!! Pat
Barb H. | 6th Feb 11
Hi, I have been wanting to make a chair cushion and this looks like a great pattern. Love the strawberry line, reminds me of summer. Can’t wait to get rid of the gloomy winter days and have some sunshine in our lives. Spring fabrics always put me in a good mood.
VickiT | 6th Feb 11
I just love this pattern. And the fabric is perfect making this just beautiful too.
Gwen Windham | 6th Feb 11
Oh, SO cute! I love your sit-upons! I was co-leader when my youngest daugher was in Brownies and Girl Scouts, and our sit-upons were no where nearly as adorable as yours! I loved being involved in Girl Scouts and have so many incredible memories. We always stayed busy with super fun activities and crafts!
Thanks for sharing the pattern with us! I have been thinking that I need to make some cushions for our sunroom chairs, and these would work perfectly– comfortable AND gorgeous! 🙂
Carol Sc | 6th Feb 11
I don’t remember having to come up with a “sit upon”, when my girls were in Girl Scouts (or, for that matter, when I was in Scouts some sixty years ago!). My husband’s father always called our body part that sat in the chair our “sit upon” and it was always with us — so, this gave me a bit of a chuckle.
Sue | 6th Feb 11
Those are too stinkin’ cute. I remember making sit upons back in the day when I was a girl scout. But they sure weren’t this cute. But then nothing was that cute in the 60s.
Sue
Melissa | 6th Feb 11
I just found you today and am loving your blog:) These pillows are fabulous and I am really needing the strawberry fabrics!!!
Sharrieboberry | 6th Feb 11
Square cushions! And in your new fabric. Very, very pretty. My girl scout sit-upon was not as cushy. It was made of leopard vinyl (uh, it was the 70’s and no so “in”) and finished with yellow yarn. So now that it’s vintage, I should see if I still have it!
Lois Martin | 6th Feb 11
I love it. These would be so cute for gifts.
Sally Howard | 6th Feb 11
I love the Sit Upon pillows, a great use for charms! My quilt studio needs a pair, very soon.
Nancy | 6th Feb 11
Love your fabrics.
Jessie | 6th Feb 11
I love what you did with this pillow. There are so many pillows out there that are just … pillows. I am a sucker for buttons though and LOVE this one!
Tana Riffel | 6th Feb 11
I fell in love with your lines when I discovered Dandelion Girl….My girls used it for some 4-H sewing!
John'aLee | 6th Feb 11
Those are so adorable. You come up with the neatest things.
Carolyn | 6th Feb 11
Fabulious!
Donna | 6th Feb 11
Very pretty seat pillow. I have recently joined a group of ladies who quilt together once a month. The chairs are Hard! where we sew. This pillow would be a wonderful carry along for the day. Thanks. Happy quilting.
debbie | 6th Feb 11
what a great idea but all your ideas are fantastic. I remember how much fun my daughter and I had sewing together wish we had this wonderful fabric to sew with. Keep up the great designing.
penny g | 6th Feb 11
I am flustered, I don’t know the color names. I have some of the Whimsy and I like it, but the Buttercup is fantastic.
Siobhan | 7th Feb 11
I love the sneak peeks! That looks like a fabulous line!
I read your pillow talk thread about how you like to read. I just have to mention this… Have you ever read Brigid Pasulka’s “A Long, Long Time Ago & Essentially True”? It is EXCELLENT!! I listened to it as an audio book–the reader did an AMAZING job, and I picked up some fun Polish curse words from it that my Polish grandmother wouldn’t have taught me. ;). My mother read the book itself, though, and also loved it. It’s a wonderful book, but it’s also, as the author has said, a love note to the Polish people and Poland itself. Here’s a link to the You Tube video about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68A7g6-D760
Sorry for the off-tangent comment, but had to pass that on.
Dottie | 7th Feb 11
Can’t wait for the pattern!!! Hope I win the button maker so I can make the buttons too!!!
Regan | 7th Feb 11
this is amazing!!!- i remember these from Brownies-although mine were not this nice!!!!
Regan | 7th Feb 11
this is amazing!!!- i remember these brom Brownies-although mine were not this nice!!!!
linda phillips | 8th Feb 11
I love immigrant stories. I think you should make a book out of yours. Many Americans would love to read it. You could even do it while you are doing your blog. Then get an editor to put it all together for you. I enjoy your fabrics and patterns….but I am not sure how to get #2 of Mr. Whiskers??????