How to Upcycle a Pillow Using a Sharpie


Hi there, Friends! Last month, I shared how to paint a pillow to change the color to complement your decor. Today I'm sharing another easy pillow upcycle--this time with stencils and a Sharpie marker...


pillow upcycle with Sharpie marker


You may remember that I created the grain sack stripe on my DIY short girl footstool cushion using painter's tape and a Sharpie marker. 



DIY short girl footstool


For this upcycle, I traded the painter's tape for letter stencils and also added some pom-pom trim from my craft stash.


how to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie


I found this grain sack stripe pillow at a yard sale some time ago. Despite the fact that it is monogrammed in the lower corner, the grain sack stripe is on both sides, so I decided I would just flip the pillow to stencil it.  It has a nice down pillow inside and not only does the pillow cover have a zipper enclosure for easy washing, the pillow itself passed the smell test. Okay, be honest--who else does that? I am selective about thrifted pillows but you can tell a lot about a pillow's care by smelling it ;) I also spray mine with essential oil linen spray and leave them in direct sunlight for a few hours as a natural disinfectant to freshen them up. 


how to upcycle a pillow with a sharpie


Ready to get busy? Protect the pillow by stuffing some wax paper inside the pillow cover. Then, start by placing your stencil. Maybe you have a word stencil instead of letters. Here, you can see mine are letters and they are the peel and stick variety that is so easy to use. I found these in the awesome craft section at Tuesday Morning and I love the font. {I'll include links for similar stencils if you can't find them locally.} 


how to upcycle a pillow using a Sharpie marker


Using a fine point Sharpie and pressing very gently, lightly fill in the stenciled area. Pressing gently is key so the marker doesn't bleed and appear blurry. {If you are using a thinner fabric, test a small place on the back first--some fabrics may be too thin to prevent bleeding.}


how to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie
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Use the same gentle pressure to add stripes or other accents. On mine, I colored in the center stripes.


how to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie




Last, the tired fringe had to go. I cut it off...


how to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie


...and added mini pom-pom trim with a hot glue gun. This cute trim was originally from one of the card bundles with assorted trims in the bargain bins at Michael's. Raid your craft stash to add or change trim on your pillow. 


how to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie


UPDATE: Since I originally shared this post, I stenciled the backs of a few seasonal pillows for my bedroom--this time with a silver sharpie which appears gray on most fabrics. By using the back sides of pillows, it saves money and storage space! 


How to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie




My Thrift Store Addiction



how to upcycle a pillow with a Sharpie


Do you have a pillow--or at least one side of it--waiting for a thrifty upcycle?

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MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR FEATURING THIS POST:













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  1. Cute upcycle! It looks fairly easy but a steady hand is essential I think!!

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  2. Well, that turned out cute! Good tips on avoiding the bleed.

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  3. Very nice! I love the blue toile cushionin your chair--very French country-looking! But I admit, I ALWAYS look for the EASY way. Why didn't you take the pillow out and have a flat surface to work on? Cardboard or wax paper inside the cover to prevent bleed through. I prefer pom poms to those tassels but I have had good luck revamping tassels. I spray starch them, untangle them with a wide tooth comb or clothes brush, then iron them. Finally, I give them a trim--usually much shorter so they won't ever again look that ratty!

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  4. Saw this on the TTL party! What a great idea. I looks awesome.

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  5. Turned out really pretty Cecilia. Thanks for the tip on using a sharpie to stencil on fabric.
    Hugs,
    Audrey Z.

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  6. Too cute! I love the pom pom additions! Also love that monogram in the corner - great score! xo Kathleen
    Our Hopeful Home

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  7. Perfect transformation and I love the marker trick. I hate stenciling letters because of the painting and drying time before you can move on the to the next letter. Markers seem to alleviate that issue...thanks!

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  8. Very, very pretty! Love how it turned out. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  9. Such a neat idea. I never would of thought about using a sharpie. Might have to try this one!

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  10. Girl, you are a genius with a sharpie. Love how the pillow turned out. Pompoms made it.

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  11. So great! Sharpies are an amazing tool, eh? :) Have a post to share with your link party this week, I think! (Would my Paris themed girl birthday party fit in?)

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  12. Cecilia, you have a way with pillows. This is so cute! Love the little pom-pom trim, and the stencil in the middle just makes it. Adorable!

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  13. How cute! Grain sack style fabrics are so popular right now. Great job and thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

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  14. Love your pillow update. I love grain sack anything.
    Hugs,
    Bev

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  15. I love how your pillow turned out! You're one of my features today at Sew It Cook It Craft It!

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