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about the pillows…

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When I got the idea to frame out the flour sack quilt above the bed, I knew I needed to switch out my old pillows.  I also knew I wanted  to do some type of feed sack *like* pillows to go along with the quilt.  But I wasn’t sure how to pull it off with my very limited skills when dealing with my sewing machine.  Luckily, my inspiration arrived via the mail when I received the Tuesday Morning ad:
  I decided to make my own because I wanted 3 of them, which would be more cost effective & I thought it would be more personal to have our own family wording on it instead of words written in French.  Although, I think these are absolutely gorgeous!!!!!  I thought personalizing them would mean more to me in years to come.
So here’s a quick run down of what I did to those of you who asked & were so sweet to comment.
  (Thank you!)
I bought 4 packs of the above print n press.  (For my 2 Euro shames + 1 small pillow.) 
*I highly recommend you buy ALL the same kind of transfer paper for this project if you are going to work  on 2 or more pillows.*
Here’s my basic supplies.
I used the upholstery webbing ~ .99 cents a yard then used a 40% coupon via Hobby Lobby.
The fabric I used is just a thicker quality of muslin fabric.  I think it was $2.99 a yard?
I sewed 3.5 straight lines to form a square for the pillowcases.  Leaving one half of a side open to stuff your pillow through, but don’t stuff your pillow until you are done transferring the words!
Then I started playing around with the fonts on Picnik.com.  I love Picnik.com.  Once I figured out what words I was going to use then I mirrored the image. (see below)

Not all transfer paper requires you to mirror the image, mine did.  Then you cut as close as you can to the letters/words & follow directions on the back of whatever transfer papers you get to iron on your transfer.
Because I was working with 2 Euro pillows I had to do 4 full 8×11 pages of fonts to transfer.  Then naturally I had to do everything twice, since I had 2 Euro shams.
*This is just a collage of all the pages I did, mirrored.*

I also downloaded this wreath for free from The Graphics Fairy that I fell in love with & used on all 3 pillows.
Do you see This Blessed Nest in the words?  I just had to do it!
When I selected the font color using picnik.com I varied between a black, soft black & a deep brown.  To me it looks a little more authentic with a variation to the colors in font. That’s just my opinion, however.
After I transfered the words, I stuffed my pillows & stitched them closed.  Then I hot glued the upholstery webbing to the center of the pillows with the help of the clothes pin to keep them secure & straight while I was gluing.  Plus, I used the clothes pin every morning for a week to help keep my eyes open from working on these the night before. 🙂

I will not lie, this took alot of time, a ton of patience (that I don’t have alot of to begin with) lots of sleepless hours, & too many trial & errors.
But…I think it was worth it.
  I was able to get my custom feed sack *like* pillows with our family words & also be able to be cost effective in the process.
If you’d like to read about how we framed the flour sack quilt go here.
Linking with:
UndertheTableandDreaming

inspired room
The Graphics Fairy
edited to add ***similar pillows & perhaps a lampshade or 2 will be coming to an etsy shop {bag full of posies} real soon.
Hello! I’m so glad you’re here & reading my posts! I’ve started truncating my posts, so please click over to read the rest of the story!
THANK YOU!

Comments

  2. You are my hero girlfriend! I love these and am too scared to do my own. I actually have fabric, old pillows, transfer paper and everything ready to go. You’re giving me inspiration to jump in and try it. I have no patience either – – so, I may e-mail stalk you when I start to lament my woes. 🙂
    These are gorgeous, Kellie. You did a fabulous job!!!