Vintage Monogrammed No Sew Pillows

Today, we’re sharing how to create vintage monogrammed no sew pillows!

Sometimes, I feel like I have one of those brains that never stops thinking or creating which is how today’s post came about. I was searching for just the right pillows for our bench in the entry and nothing was striking my fancy.

Do you ever have that problem?

Searching for Inspiration 

I wanted something that felt old and well-loved and vintage, but I didn’t want it to be so fufu that it felt stuffy, you know what I mean?

After a few weeks of searching and coming up empty handed, I knew I was going to have to find a way to make the vintage monogrammed pillows I had envisioned in my head come to fruition in real life.

But there was one stumbling block I had to get over first…

…I can’t really sew.

Finding a Creative Solution to a Common Problem

I mean, I can sew enough to make a pillow cover or a set of curtains because you literally only need straight lines for those. But I can’t sew on a button or stitch up a rip in a pair of pants or add a zipper to a dress or a sew on a patch to a jacket or anything advanced like that.

I took Home Economics in high school. Honestly though, we were busy making scrunchies for cheerleading camp. So, my sewing experience has pretty much been trial and error on a sewing machine I’ve probably had for about 20 or 25 years now.

Of course, that was not going to hold me back from making my own vintage monogrammed no sew pillows.  And if you can relate to this story in any way, it shouldn’t hold you back either.

Here’s a look at how I created a vintage monogrammed no sew pillow in less than hour……(Affiliate links have been provided for your convenience. You can read our full disclosure policy here)

Vintage Monogrammed No Sew Pillow Supplies: 

• Canvas Pillow Cover (we used a 18×18 pillow cover bought on sale at Hobby Lobby) (similar, here)
• A Piece of Vintage Fabric or Handkerchief (we bought 3 handkerchiefs from a charity shop for $1.50) (similar, here)
• Iron-On Embroidered Monogram (optional) (we bought one from Hobby Lobby for around $3)
• Borax or Oxiclean to Soak Vintage Linens (optional)
• Liquid Stitch
• Brush for Liquid Stitch Application (optional)
• Tape Measure or Ruler
• Iron (similar, here)
• Multiple Towels
• Pillow Insert (we used an IKEA 20×20 insert to make the pillow extra full) (similar, here)

Vintage Monogrammed No Sew Pillow Steps:

Wash, dry and iron your canvas pillow cover. I didn’t take a lot of time ironing mine because I like that rumpled up cozy look. My mom on the other hand probably wishes I had starched these ?

Using caution and care as vintage linens can be delicate wash, dry and iron your vintage linen fabric or handkerchief. These handkerchiefs are paper thin, so we soaked them in Borax and hot water for a few hours. It didn’t take away all the stains, but it did help some.

Lay a thick towel down on a sturdy work surface, stack your canvas pillow cover on top of the towel, followed by your vintage linen or handkerchief. Then measure and line up where you want your monogram.

Once you have your monogram in place, lay another towel over the monogram

and using caution and care as iron will be hot, iron over the letter as per the directions on your monogram letter packaging.

Flip your vintage fabric or handkerchief over and using caution and care as iron will be hot, iron the back of the monogram letter.

After your monogram has been secured to your piece of vintage fabric or handkerchief, lightly brush or apply an appropriate amount of Liquid Stitch just outside of the edge of your fabric.

Press down to make sure your piece of vintage fabric has been secured to your canvas pillow cover.

Allow the Liquid Stitch to dry completely as per the instructions on the back of the bottle.

Display and Enjoy

Insert your pillow form into your newly created vintage monogrammed no sew pillow cover once the appropriate amount of drying time has passed (we waited a full 24 hours) and enjoy!

I personally plan to spot treat this vintage monogrammed no sew pillow cover just because the vintage handkerchief is so incredibly thin. I’ll let you choose the best way to clean yours though.

Can you guys believe how these turned out? The vintage handkerchief totally dressed up the basic canvas pillow cover for very little money or effort. And the bonus is that these vintage monogrammed no sew pillows are so neutral, we can use them in any room of the house!

Let us know if you guys decide to try these too! I’m on the hunt for a crochet piece I can try next. 

For more quick and easy no-sew pillow projects, be sure to check out our Stenciled Pillows Made Easy post here, our Stenciled Feed Sack Pillow Covers post here, and our No Sew Varsity Letter Pillow post here.  Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo