Today I'm sharing how to make a DIY pillow from a Pier 1 gratitude script placemat.
Over the past few years I've noticed a trend around New Year's. People seem to be getting away from making New Year's resolutions. I've also noticed the counter-trend, if you will, toward being more introspective and thoughtful as to what we'd like to accomplish in the coming year.
I don't know about you, but 2012 brought with it a lot of changes for me and my family, and 2013 promises to bring even more. It would be very easy for me to become overwhelmed and to feel put upon and sorry for myself when I think of all the work I have ahead of me. And the worry. And the fear that change can bring along with it. Or I can focus on a word:
THANKFUL
Thankful is my word for 2013.
This is my first year of having a "word," mind you, so I'm not quite sure how it will work. I am sure though, that I will do my best to remain {as much as possible} in the moment, aware of all the ways in which I am very blessed. And be truly thankful for it.
To that end, I have a recent project to show you. I was inspired by Jeannine over at The Concrete Cottage. Talk about great ideas! Have you ever used a cloth napkin to make a pillow? Easy, peasy! And very satisfying, let me tell you. I ended up really loving it.
Can you read the words? It says thanks, blessings, sharing, grace, gratitude, gathering. Kinda goes along with my word for 2013, huh?
Besides the fact that I love script fabric, I love even more that this was a Pier 1 napkin. I bought four while I was Christmas shopping, knowing full well that I wanted to use them for pillows. And they were on sale! I used some cotton duck fabric that I already had for the back of the pillow and it ended up looking awesome.{Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the back. You can buy duck fabric very inexpensively at Wal-Mart.}You can see how I made the French script burlap foot stool HERE.
As far as instructions for making the pillow go, you can see my monogram pillow tutorial HERE. It's {almost} NO SEW! Same idea: just use Stitch Witchery for three sides, fill with a very soft down pillow insert from Ikea {around $6.49 I think, THE absolute cheapest you'll find for a quality down pillow insert} and hand stitch the bottom opening closed. I use invisible thread so my lack of sewing prowess is not so glaringly obvious! It's a bit more difficult to work with since it's practically invisible, but the finished product is so worth it!
It amazes me how doing something as inconsequential as switching out your pillows can immediately change the mood and style of a room. And I have to say that my white slipcovered Parson's chair is a perfect backdrop for my new script pillow, don't you think?
I loved it so much that I sent one to my sister for Christmas! Now if I can just get the second one made for sister number two!
THANKFUL.
Well, that's it for today, friends!
I hope you've enjoyed reading
How To Transform A Room
Using Very Little Money
and that I've inspired you in some way.
Be sure to stay in touch:
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Awesome word. Awesome pillow. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow looks great against the chair, Kathleen.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty - Nice job!! I made pillow covers from placemats several years ago. I have not come up with a word for 2013. :/
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
That pillow is too cute!! I love the almost no sew approach. Looks very good with your chair!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great word choice Kathleen. I love the idea of making a pillow from a napkin. Very creative.
ReplyDeleteI've used stitch witchery for many things but never thought about it for a pillow. How simple is that. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy, I never knew that Ikea had pillow forms. Another reason to be Thankful for you! I don't know anyone who didn't have a hard time last year. I hope things will get easier for everyone this year, thanks for all your great projects and kind words. Love, Penny
ReplyDeleteAren't napkins awesome for pillow covers? That's great you discovered how versatile they can be. Really love your pillow with the grateful scripts.
ReplyDeleteI've been using napkins and place mats for a few years now as pillow covers. I was in a Pier 1 in Helena, MT looking at their sale goodies when I came upon some place mats with really cute beaded edging. I thought, Hmmm, those would be great for pillow covers, (I used the little travel pillows). I opened up the bottom of the place mat, put my pillow in and shazam I had pillow covers after hand sewing bottom closed. I also used a transfer on the front side of placemat.
I found a set of two generous sized napkins at Target recently to make pillow covers with. Used different fabrics for back of both pillows. I just love getting a bargain, both napkins at Target were $1.98.
I'm always changing my pillow covers for change of seasons, or just cause I feel like it. So easy and so much less expensive than buying a pillow. I just rotate the pillows in them. Go for it and enjoy. We're only limited to what our imaginations come up with. Happy 2013
Love your word and the gorgeous pillow! Happy new year, Kathleen.
ReplyDeleteLove your pillow, Kathleen! I even love that napkin as a napkin! : ) I love script fabric, too, even the document fabrics always catch my eye.
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