I don’t know about you, but I love throw pillows. I feel like they give your couch an extra cozy feel and set the vibe for the room. Do you have a funkier feel going on or are you more of a traditionalist? In either case, the pillows you have help you create the design statement you are aiming for.
So I thought I’d show you how to make some for a fraction of the price – seriously! One hand-painted pillow like this will cost you at least $25 or more at Urban Outfitters or on Etsy. My style is a bit funkier or more modern than traditional, so I decided to show you how to make pillows with this vibe in mind. If you’re more traditional, find a nice streamline pattern that you love and use that as your design. I love how the designs on these pillows aren’t perfect. To me, it gives it a homemade, carefree feel. But like I said, go with what works with your taste for style.
Materials:
-Pillow insert (I bought mine at Walmart. After looking at a couple of stores, Walmart had it cheaper, but that may just be my area.)
-Pillow cover (optional: To keep the pillows on a budget of less than $25, I decided to skip the pillow covers and paint directly on the pillow insert itself. This only works, though, if you’re okay having a white pillow.)
-Needle
-Embroidery thread
-Yarn (I chose to go with a thicker type of yarn.)
-3”x5” piece of cardboard
-Fabric paint
-Paintbrush
-Scissors
-Self-adhesive craft foam
-Scrap piece of wood or piece of cardboard
Instructions:
Step 1: Create your stamp by cutting triangles from your self-adhesive craft foam.
Step 2: Stick your triangles onto your piece of wood or cardboard. This is your stamp template.
Step 3: With your paintbrush, spread your fabric paint onto your handmade stamp.
Step 4: Press your stamp onto your pillow, then take your paintbrush and go over any parts that the stamp may have missed.
Step 5: Cut off a 6” piece of yarn and place it on your 3”x5” piece of cardboard.
Step 6: Wrap the yarn around the 3” side of the cardboard. Wrap it about 20 times or so.
Step 7: Take the first piece of yarn and wiggle it to the top of the wrapped yarn, then tie it together.
Step 8: Cut the bottom off the looped yarn and remove the piece of cardboard.
Step 9: Cut off a second 6” piece of yarn.
Step 10: Wrap it around the top of the ball of yarn to create a tassel look. Make sure you trim the bottom of the tassel to make it look even. Create three more tassels for your pillow.
Step 11: Thread your needle with the embroidery thread. Then thread the string under the loop on top of the tassel. Now you can thread the needle through the fabric at the corner of the pillow. Knot the embroidery thread as close to the corner of the pillow as possible so the tassel is on the corner and well in place. Repeat on the other three corners.
For other pillow ideas, look here and here.