Thanks to every body who left a sweet comment or email complimenting us on our entry way bench. I’m so glad everyone liked it! While my husband was working on the bench out in the driveway I had a DIY project of my own. It was a whole lot easier, even though it involves sewing. Usually any project with sewing scares me but this was one that even I could handle!
Maybe I’m a cheapie, but I had a really hard time find inexpensive pillows that I liked and that would also work with the subtle nautical look I’m going for in the entryway. I checked all sorts of discount stores but the only ones I liked were $25 or more. And I’m just not going to spend $25 on a pillow. So either I’m cheap or I’m too picky!
I did however find a set of three dish towels on clearance for $3.99 and I liked the patterns a lot. Score!
Here’s a look into how much of a beginner I am when it comes to sewing. Everything I sew is sewn with white thread because I’m afraid of un-threading my machine. If I un-thread it to replace the white spool that is currently on it I don’t know if I will be able to re-thread it again. Don’t even ask me what will happen when the thread runs out. I’m dreading the day. So if I can do this anyone can!
These dish towels make the PERFCT starting place for some decorative pillow cases because they are already trimmed and hemmed and everything done.
The process was as simple as folding it in half with the right sides together…
and sewing along all four sides and leaving a small opening to stuff in the stuffing and turn the pillowcase right side out.
Before I turned the pillow out I did cut off each of the corners making sure I didn’t cut the hem I had just sewn. Cutting the corners just gives the pillow case a nicer shape and makes the corners more straight and even. And that gave me my pillowcase.
Ahem. You can spot my super classy panda pajama pants. That’s how I roll people.
The last step was to stuff the pillowcase using some fiberfill from Joann’s and hand stitch the hole closed.
I repeated the process with the red dish towel and my picky/cheap nature was satisfied.
I didn’t even use a third of the fiberfill so I have a feeling that I am going to be on the lookout for some more clearance dish towels. I see new pillows popping up all over the house!
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Love the pillows and the whole look!
Pillows are like handbags to me ~ I love them, but refuse to spend a lot of money on them! I’ll be checking out the dishtowel aisles for pillow ideas from now on! Thanks for sharing!
We must be kindred spirits! I LOVE handbags. It might be called a slight obsession.
These pillows are soooo cute! And the best part is that they satisfy my “cheap” nature as well ;). I’m not a sewer at all, but this project encouraged me to give it try. Thank you!
Love it! LOOOVE IT!!
I can DO this!!
I love the pillows! I am going to have to be on the lookout for some towels to try this!
Super sweet and thanks so much for including the tutorial!
Super cute pillows!!!
One little tip on threading your machine……because you will run out of thread one day or your thread might break!!……Start at the needle up…then from the spool of thread and at every turn or catch mark a number! You should end up with 4 or 5 numbers (depending on your machine). The first is normally at the back of the machine by the spool and the last one will be the actual needle. Don’t be afraid, you can do it!!!! When my wife complains that she doesn’t remember I say “Hook, down, up, down, hook, needle” and she checks it as I say it. Good luck!
That is a great tip! I will definitely be doing this for sure and numbering the steps. Thank you so much for sharing your idea!
You can do it! The re-threading I mean. I just discovered making these. I thought I was all smarty pants/inspired but it looks like there are lots of variations. I looked at table runners first. Some even had the tassels on already for the envelope style. Even though it is a little more effort I put zippers in to make washing them easy when they get dirty. I did a Christmas set for my “Secret Santa” at work. So fun! And, like you said, a set of three was less expensive than one at retail stores!
Oo, a table runner is a great idea! They always have pretty table runners for the holidays and I’m sure it is way cheaper than buying holiday pillows. I’m going to keep my eye out for some now, thanks for the fab idea!
What a great Idea!! I love the pillows…Gonna have to snag this one.