This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Sharpie, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #StaplesSharpie https://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.
As I promised yesterday, I’m back to share all of my pillow-making secrets! I know what you’re thinking: “Abby, why in the world would you try pillows again? Don’t you remember what happened last time?” Yes, so my appliqued accent pillows may win the award for the most frustrating project ever attempted, but hey, I needed Christmas-y pillows, so I had to get back on the horse, know what I’m saying? In today’s tutorial, though, hem tape will be playing the role of the sewing machine and Sharpie markers will be headlining as the applique. Yay! No sewing AND I get to play with Sharpies AND I come out with two adorable Christmas pillows at the end?! #winning 😀
Here’s what I used to complete this project:
- Iron
- Scissors
- Measuring Tape
- Hem Tape
- Desired Design, Printed on Cardstock
- Fabric (I bought 2 yards for 2 16″ square pillows and had a little bit left over.)
- Ugly Pillow
- Sharpies in Desired Colors {I desired all of the colors, so I bought the 4 pack of metallic silver, the 12 pack of assorted colors, and the 4 pack of assorted metallics. :-D}
Step 1- Measure, Mark, and Cut Your Fabric
I wanted an envelope pillow, and I knew I could make that happen with just one piece of fabric. I measured around my pillow and added about 4 inches for overlap and another inch on each end for hemming, giving me a desired length of 42″ for my 16″ pillow. I also measured the width, leaving enough room for the fabric to come up the side of the pillow and, again, an inch on each side for hemming, giving me a fabric width of 20″. {All pillows vary in “puffiness,” so be sure to measure yours to get the exact numbers for your project.} I simply measured out my fabric, marked it, and cut it to create the large rectangle that I needed.
Step 2- Hem All Four Sides Using Hem Tape
I recommend starting with the long sides followed by the shorter sides because I think it gives a cleaner look. If you’ve never used hem tape before, it is incredibly easy to use. Measure out the length you need, line it up on the edge of your fabric {on the back side}, and iron it in place, holding for about two seconds on each part of the tape.
Once it has cooled, remove the paper backing, fold over the fabric, and iron each section for about 8 seconds (longer for thicker fabric). Repeat the process on all four edges of the fabric, and it should look like this:
Step 3- Form Your Envelope
Fold your fabric over your pillow with the back side facing out, and line up your overlap the way you would like it to appear when the pillow is finished.
Once you know how far to fold each flap, remove the pillow. Use hem tape to secure both sides of the lower flap, making a pocket.
Repeat the process with the upper flap: fold it over to the correct length to fit your pillow, and secure both sides with hem tape.
Now all you need to do is flip it right-side-out, and you’re ready for the fun part…
Step 4- Decorating!!!
Bust out your design and your Sharpies and get to work! I put a piece of cardboard inside my pillow cover to prevent bleed-through while I worked on my design.
To apply my deer, I simply cut it out, used a piece of painter’s tape to secure it to the fabric, and traced around it with my silver Sharpie. I used the gold Sharpie to trace the star. So simple, right?!
I loved how it was coming along, but I needed some color, so I decided to add some words in red.
The wording was a little thin to cut out, so I used my chalk transfer method to create an outline and filled it in with a red Sharpie. I repeated the process on my second pillow cover, popped the pillows in, and…
Hooray! Custom Christmas pillows for our holiday decor!
I was so ecstatic that I was able to get such a beautiful, custom no-sew pillow using Sharpie markers instead of appliques! Come to think of it, I think every room in my house is currently in need of custom pillows, so Sharpies, get ready! 😉
I purchased the extra set of silver metallic Sharpies because I knew I’d need a lot of ink for my design, and I wasn’t sure if the tip would get all fuzzy and matted when using it on the fabric, but I didn’t have any issues with that at all. In fact, I used the same silver marker for both pillows and it is still going strong!
If you want to try your hand at these fun pillows or have another Sharpie project in mind, Staples is currently offering the 12 count assorted pack of Sharpies for only $6. That’s only 50 cents per marker, people! Even the store employee who rang up my Sharpies commented on what a good price I was getting on them– score! Their other marker packs are on sale as well. Prices will vary by area, but I picked up my 4 packs of assorted metallics and silver metallics for only $3.39 each. Love that! For more Sharpie inspiration, be sure to visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!
Have you created anything cool with Sharpies lately?
I link up at It’s Overflowing, Inspire Me Please, Home Stories A to Z, and these fun parties!
*This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Sharpie, but all my opinions are my own. For more information, see my disclosures here.*
Cindy Eikenberg says
December 10, 2013 at 8:06 amAbby, these came out absolutely darling and what a fabulous tutorial! They look so wonderful on your sofa. I know I won’t have time to try this for the holidays, but this is going on my must-try list for the new year! Thank you so much for sharing – pinned and sharing! Hope you have a wonderful and happy day!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:49 pmThank you so much, Cindy! I just took your home tour and was totally blown away! So gorgeous! Hope you have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Alaina {Fabtastic Eats} says
December 10, 2013 at 8:06 amThese came out really cool, I LOVE them!!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:47 pmThank you so much, Alaina! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Renee says
December 10, 2013 at 8:53 amI would never be able to make these look so fantastic! Great job!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:47 pmYou could totally do it! Easy peasy! Have a great weekend, Renee!
~Abby =)
Denise says
December 10, 2013 at 9:16 amAdorable!! Can’t believe those are sharpie! They look great Abby! And thanks for the tip on the sharpies, I do need some for another project – off to staples I go!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:45 pmThank you so much, Denise! Happy Sharpie-ing!!
~Abby =)
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
December 10, 2013 at 9:37 amAbby! This is such a great project! I love how they turned out. Plus, you are speaking my language: No Sew! Woot woot! 🙂 I pinned them. Won’t have time for holiday pillows, but maybe I’ll make some pillows for something else. 🙂
Hope you are having a wonderful week. Hugs, friend!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:43 pmThank you so much, friend! I hope you are doing well and that you’re having tons of fun wedding planning! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Duffy says
December 10, 2013 at 8:54 pmGabby, this us awesome and terribly creative. Where did you get the deer shapes?
I use sharpies for everything!! All colors, fine tip, they all rock!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:33 pmAren’t Sharpies wonderful?! One of my deer shapes was part of the SantaLand theme at picmonkey.com. The other one I just found in a Google image search. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Duffy!
~Abby =)
JaneEllen says
December 10, 2013 at 11:04 pmYou are so clever, great post and project. Love your pillows, can’t tell you didn’t sew and they look so great. Seems like lately every time I want to sew something my machine is having a really bad day so I end up not making things I really wanted to. So glad I read your post. I’m going to try these. I want some pillows for the holidays and the deer would be great. I could leave off the words( or not). You make this look so easy and so great. I’ll have to read again so I see what kind of fabric you used for the pillows. The Sharpies are such a great idea. Will the wording bleed when the covers are washed? I always have to know if I can wash things as I’m messy. Hope you’re enjoying your holiday season with your boys and hubs. Happy days
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:19 pmThanks so much, JaneEllen! I used duck fabric for the pillows. I haven’t washed them yet, but I don’t think the bleeding will be an issue. Have fun with your project!
~Abby =)
Christine says
December 10, 2013 at 11:07 pmwow, I might have to try that if I get brave enough!!! Love them and pinning
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:16 pmThank you so much, Christine! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Allyson says
December 11, 2013 at 8:58 amI LOVE how these pillows turned out! So festive! I also just realized we have the same couch, except I have the sectional version! Love the grey!
Jean says
December 11, 2013 at 2:53 pmCan you tell me where you found the deer pattern to print for the pattern? I’m not very artistic and need all the help I can get. Thank you
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 9:51 pmHi, Jean! One of them is part of the “SantaLand” theme at picmonkey.com and I found the other one in a google image search. I cannot draw to save my life, so tracing was the way to go for me too! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:13 pmGotta love, IKEA, right? Thank you so much for visiting, friend! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Melanie Hamilton says
December 11, 2013 at 12:27 pmOh-these are beautiful! I can’t wait to make some! I love that you used Sharpies-so easy!
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 10:07 pmThank you so much, Melanie! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Carrie Swenson says
December 12, 2013 at 5:17 pmLove this idea and love your blog! I am visiting from Domestic Superhero. Thanks for sharing!
Carrie
justagirlabby says
December 12, 2013 at 9:31 pmThanks so much for popping over, Carrie! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Krista @thehappyhousie says
December 13, 2013 at 3:09 pmLove it Abby- and great job on the no-sew. I will have to give it a try. The designs are so pretty- pinning!
justagirlabby says
December 14, 2013 at 9:35 amThank you, friend! After my last debacle, I knew it had to be no-sew all the way! 😀 Enjoy your day!
~Abby =)
Kathy says
December 14, 2013 at 8:56 amThese pillows are great. Thanks for inspiring me to try something new!
justagirlabby says
December 14, 2013 at 9:30 amThank you so much, Kathy! Who knew Sharpie could be so chic? Lol. Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Selene Galindo says
December 16, 2013 at 10:48 amThese pillows are so adorrable! Amd easy, too!
justagirlabby says
December 19, 2013 at 9:18 pmThank you, Selene! Yes, you can’t beat no-sew! 😀 Hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Merry Christmas!
~Abby =)
Traci says
December 17, 2013 at 4:13 amI had no idea you could use Sharpies on fabric. I have been thinking about making a pillow with my chihuahua’s silhouette on it and this technique would be perfect. Thanks for the info.
Traci
justagirlabby says
December 19, 2013 at 9:10 pmAwww! That would be adorable! Sharpies for everything, I say! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful week, Traci!
~Abby =)
Julie says
December 21, 2013 at 8:25 pmWhat a steady hand you must have! Amazing job!
justagirlabby says
December 24, 2013 at 9:59 amThank you, Julie! Tracing is my best friend, lol! Have a very Merry Christmas!!
~Abby =)
dorothy says
July 18, 2014 at 11:25 amLove these pillows What did you fill in the deer with
justagirlabby says
July 20, 2014 at 8:03 pmThanks, Dorothy! I just filled them in with Sharpie! Love those cool markers! Have a great night!
~Abby =)