Thrifty Tips for Crafting Seasonal Pillows

Happy Thursday! I'm popping in a day early this week to join the Creative Crafts blog hop hosted by Andrea from Design Morsels and Chloe from Celebrate and Decorate. I always enjoy sprucing up my nest with the changing seasons, and today I'll share my thrifty tips for crafting seasonal pillows...

how to stencil a seasonal pillow

Repurpose a pretty towel


You may remember in a previous Creative Crafts hop that I repurposed this flour sack towel as a spring pillow. I seem to come across pretty towels often and it's easier than you might think to repurpose them as pillows.

how to stencil a seasonal pillow

During the summer, I crafted a clearance towel to create this You Are My Sunshine pillow. 

how to stencil a seasonal pillow


Save space and money by decorating both sides of the pillow


Whether you purchase or DIY pillows, usually only the front side is decorated. The back side is usually a blank canvas--so why not create two pillows in one? Below is a Christmas pillow I bought several years ago during Antique Week in Round Top, Texas. Since the nice down pillow has only been used during the Christmas season, I decided to flip it over and stencil the flip side! (TIP: Unzip the pillow sham and stuff it with wax paper to protect the pillow before stenciling.) 

how to stencil a seasonal pillow

Shop dollar stores for stencils


Dollar Tree continues to surprise me with their decor and craft supplies--that's where I found both of these adhesive letter stencils. To create a more professional look, I used a different stencil for each word. 

how to stencil a seasonal pillow


Use a sharpie instead of paint to stencil a pillow


I've found that paint is more likely to bleed when you stencil on fabric--so I use Sharpie markers to stencil pillows. The main thing to remember is not to apply too much pressure when you are stenciling. If you've never tried it before, practice on a piece of scrap fabric to get the feel of it. Also, did you know a silver Sharpie looks gray on fabric? In addition to stenciling words on pillows, I've also created grain sack stripes with painter's tape and Sharpies. 

how to stencil a seasonal pillow

Here's a view of the stenciled Hello Pumpkin pillow featured on my fall home tour. 

how to stencil a seasonal pillow

My Thrift Store Addiction
how to stencil a seasonal pillow

I'm so glad you dropped by! Next up is Liberty from B4 and Afters!  Enjoy visiting the rest of the blogs for more fall crafting ideas! 



















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  1. Hi Cecelia, Thank you for sharing your stenciling tips, I would have never thought of using a sharpie! I could control that much better than paint. I’ll also be on the lookout at Dollar Tree next time I’m there. Happy to be hopping with you again ♥

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  2. Practicing on a fabric scrap is a great idea! In fact, maybe stenciling first and then sewing the pillow would work. I think it would be hard to stencil directly onto a pillow already made. Your pillows look great!

    Liberty

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  3. Your pillow is adorable Cecilia, and I love your tip on using a Sharpie pen, so much easier to control and the stencil looks perfect! I love your framed pumpkin on the wall too!
    Jenna

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  4. Thanks for sharing with us your awesome tips on stenciling and using pillows in decor! It's such a great way to customize favorite decorative items!

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  5. Cecelia, I have a huge love for pillows all year long. Making my own is usually the way I roll, so your tips on stenciling and the sharpie will be one I use in the future. Thanks again for more great idea!

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  6. These pillows are so very cute, and thanks for the great tutorial! Wonderful crafting with you and thanks for sharing!

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  7. What a great idea to use a sharpie instead of paint. It's so quick and easy. I wish I was going to Round Top this year. I went April 2019 and I've been anxious to go back. Thanks for being in the hop. Your pillows are so cute.

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  8. Cecilia, what a great tip to use stencils from DT for crafting! As often as I shop there, I never thought of them for crafting.

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  9. Great way to get double usage out of a pillow! I, too, usually make my own--recently busted my sewing machine sewing over the heavy seam of a "tapestry" looking placemat; I do love how they look with a solid color on the back. Another thing I have made reversible is table runners, pointed at the ends with embroidery floss tassels in a color common to both sides (Harvest/Christmas, Christmas/Valentines, etc.).

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  10. Love it Cecilia, you create wonderful pillows. Pinned!

    Cindy

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  11. Such a cute fall pillow, Cecilia! I've got to check out those Dollar Tree stencils...I love the fonts. Thanks for the stenciling tips. I'm going to try the wax paper and sharpies next time I stencil on fabric. It was fun crafting with you!

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  12. I have avoided stenciling, fearing messing it up with paint sepping beneath the stencil, but I like your idea with the sharpies! This would be a great way for me to begin! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. What a fun way of stencilling! With all the fun colours of Sharpies out now too the possibilities would be endless. What an awesome tutorial!!

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  14. Cecilia, you are so smart to stencil both sides of the pillow. It makes so much sense. Thank you for the suggestion.

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  15. Cecelia,
    Love the pillow....I used to make my own Seasonal pillows but storage is always a problem with that so now I am thinking about making pillow covers instead...
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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