Easy to Make Pillows

Is anyone else feeling a time crunch? You know that panicked feeling when you look at your calendar and then you look at your to-do list and you think how in the world am I ever going to get all of that done?

Last week, I shared posts that were related to hosting guests for Thanksgiving. This week, I thought I would highlight how to easily add those last minute decorative touches to your home even if you’re short on time. If you saw my post yesterday, Easy to Create Thanksgiving Inspired Vignettes you know exactly what I mean. Most of those look less than 15 minutes to put together.

Today, I want to share with you how easy it is to create a cozy feeling in your home with pillows. These can all be made at the last minute and are also budget friendly. If you want to stencil your own pillows, you’ll need:

• A store bought pillow cover or material, thread and sewing machine if you want to sew your own pillow cover
• Craft, fabric paint, paint pens or even something like a Sharpie will work
• Stencils

I usually use drop cloth fabric from the hardware store to make my pillows. I like the neutral color because it makes a great creative canvas. It also seems to hold up well to paint. You’ll want to lay down a piece of cardboard just in case the paint soaks through the drop cloth. This will save any paint drops from getting on your work area. If you’re using a pre-made pillow cover, you’ll want to place the cardboard inside the cover so you wont get any paint spots on the other side of the cover. After you have the cardboard in place, lay out your fabric. Feel free to iron out any wrinkles.

Next lay out the pattern of your stencils. I’m spelling the word JOY.

Outline the stencil in chalk, pen or marker but if you’re using a pen or marker make sure it’s the same color as your paint. Since I’m painting the word JOY in red, I’m using a red Sharpie.

Once you have all of your letters outlined,

fill in each letter with craft, fabric paint or markers. I usually use an art brush for this part because it’s easier to get a defined edge.

Here are a few examples of other drop cloth pillows I painted for the fall inspired front porch. This Pies for Sale pillow has been with me all season.

I tried to mimic the hatching found in cross stitch patterns with this J E pillow which stands for the name of our home, Journey’s End.

This 5 cent You Pick pillow went perfectly with all of the autumn apple inspiration that was happening during the early fall season.

So, maybe you’re reading this and thinking I don’t have time to stencil but I do have time to make a pillow cover. No worries. These plaid fabrics all came from different thrift stores and they’re perfect for mixing. Seriously, I love all things plaid.

So, now maybe you’re saying, “For realz, Coco, you have no idea what my schedule is like this week.” Again, no worries, there are plenty of awesome pillows in the big box stores right now like this burlap beauty from Kirklands. It was on sale for $14.99 when I bought it last month. I layered it with some of the plaid fabric on the swing

and used it inside for the neutrals inspired Thanksgiving living room. One pillow, two looks.

IKEA is another big box store that has great prices on pillows and pillow covers like these tribal inspired pillow covers, I’ve been able to use around the house most of this year.

See you guys back here tomorrow. I’m sharing an easy to make last minute hostess gift!

Many blessings,

CoCo