Wednesday, September 7, 2011

No More Hording Fabric

I have a minor issue with falling in love with things (girl scout cookies, the best greeting card ever, amazing fabric my mom sent me) and being scared that I won't find the perfect person to send the perfect card to or the perfect evening to scarf down the perfect cookies...or the perfect project to use the most perfect fabric on.

pillow tutorial

My mother sent me a surprise package this summer with some leftover fabric from one of her sewing projects. The moment I opened the box I fell madly in love with the print and immediately put it in the closet because I wouldn't be using the fabric for just anything - I had to find something worthy of this fabulously colorful, bird-filled fabric.

Fast forward three months and it was still sitting in my closet. I'd venture in there every once in a while to bat my eyelashes at the hummingbirds and flowers and promise to find something suitable to use it for. Last week I finally came to my senses and decided to make a regular ol' pillow with it because then I'd get to enjoy the beautiful print all day every day.

diy throw pillow

I grabbed the last of the upcycled pillows I made last spring (check out the camping pillows I made here) and went to work on an envelope pillow case.  Now that I think of it, this is the ultimate upcycled project - the pretty bird fabric is leftover scraps from my mother, the backing fabric is leftover Goodwill sheets from my rag rug project, the pillow is an upcycled old feather pillow from our bed...pretty cool!

envelope pillow tutorial

In order to make an envelope pillow case, I measured the pillow, added a couple inches, and cut out a square in the bird fabric that would be the front of the pillow.  For the back, I subtracted about six inches from one side and cut out two identical rectangles.

how to sew a pillow


After hemming the two blue rectangles on one side, I sewed the pillow together.

diy pillow tutorial

And voila!

throw pillow tutorial diy

The perfect fabric turned into a colorful throw pillow.

diy pillow

15 comments:

Julie Bagamary said...

Very cute!

Mindy said...

That's how I make my pillow covers too. It's the best!
In other news, don't be surprised when I sneak into your house and jack yours. That fabric is to die for!!!!

Rebbie said...

Now we have matchy pillows!! I think you and Leslie got your "saving" skills from me. She still has a 2 year old box of thin mints in the freezer that she won't let anyone eat. I'm glad you're finally enjoying the fabric.

Darby Hawley said...

OMGoodness! I LOVE with those pillows!

S said...

That is so pretty! Any leftovers?!

Bailey K. | Travel Heals said...

such a pretty pillow! great job!

i would love for you to come link up this or any other amazing project at my creativity party going on right now!

letbirdzfly.blogspot.com

thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

That is great fabric! Love the pillow Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!

*Shabby LOCO!* said...

I too am a fabric whore oops! Hoarder...The first step is admitting it! Good for you, lol.
~Mel

Jen said...

I made a purse out of this fabric! The fabric is GREAT for a pillow too. Well done. :)

Lindsay said...

The fabric is gorgeous! I love your tutorial. I am going to use it the next time I make a pillow, which will be very soon now that I have the perfect fabric to use. Thanks for sharing @ Show & Share!

Carmen said...

Finally, someone else who understands my weakness too...fabric! Love the cure...pillows!

Also, I would like to personally invite you to our new Rockin’ link party every Friday at RoCa and Company. Come and show off this super cute pillow this coming Friday. Hope to see you there...

Remember...YOU ROCK!!

Carmen @
RoCa and Company
www.rocaandcompany.blogspot.com

Chef in Training said...

So cute! I love the fabric choices! I would love it if you would share this and/or any other projects you have been up to at Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training! Thanks so much and I hope to see you there!
-Nikki
http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

DIYbyDesign said...

Love your pillow. I will be featuring it tonight at my Sizzle into Summer party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.

McKelle said...

Awesome! I need to learn how to sew!

McKelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.

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