I may be on a little bit of a pillow kick lately. A few weeks ago I shared how I used a stencil and some paint to make a sassy custom pillow cover; then I created some more pillow covers out of napkins using my minimal sewing strategy + some velcro. Today I have yet another fun pillow for you, and guess what? I did not sew one stitch! Take that, sewing machine! 😀
Our living room is taking on a blue-with-gold-accents type of color scheme, so I wanted to bring some gold in with the pillows I’ll be using on the couch. In my ongoing attempt to avoid sewing at all costs, I figured maybe I would just buy these ones instead of make them to save myself some time and frustration. So I went on the hunt for the perfect golden pillows, and I found them. At Ralph Lauren. For $115 per pillow. Bwahahahaha. If you read this blog at all, you know that I’m pretty much the cheapest person on the face of the planet, so spending $115 on one pillow that the Cs will probably spill juice on the second it hits the couch is just not going to happen. But still, I loved this beautiful pillow, so I set out to find a way to make one myself.
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Here’s what I used to make my own version of this Ralph Lauren beauty:
- Towel
- Heat Transfer Vinyl in Vegas Gold {found here}
- Measuring Tape
- Iron
- GURLI pillow cover in white
- Silhouette Cameo (Optional; you could totally cut your vinyl with a rotary cutter if you don’t have a Silhouette!)
First of all, I just need to say that this project required WAY more math than I ever expected. As an English major, math is sort of like sewing for me– I avoid it whenever possible– but the fact that I managed to do it successfully should give you great hope. 😀 To figure out my stripes, I measured the width of my pillow cover. Always measure. Mine said 20″, but it was actually 19 3/4″. I opted to go with wider stripes than my inspiration photo, deciding on five gold stripes and four white stripes for nine total stripes. I got out my little calculator and did the math: 19.75/ 9 = 2.194 (I called it 2.2.) I went into my Silhouette software and created five stripes that were 2.2″ wide and 19.75″ long. The machine cut them out for me, and I had this:
Then it was time to iron the stripes on to my pillow cover (which I had pre-washed). Since this was my first time using the heat transfer vinyl, I referenced this excellent tutorial by Jessi over at Practically Functional, and it was SO helpful. I sliced my vinyl into individual stripes, leaving them adhered to their plastic backing. To minimize my measuring, I started with the stripes on the ends of the pillow cover. I laid down my first stripe right at the edge of the pillow with the plastic backing side up, put my towel on top of it, and then pressed down my iron, holding it on each portion of the stripe for about 60 seconds without moving the iron at all. Near the edge where the fabric was thicker, I went back to a few places and held it longer to be sure that my vinyl was completely adhered. Then it was time to peel back the layer of plastic, and I had my first stripe!
Next I moved to the stripe on the opposite end of the pillow cover and repeated the ironing process.
It was pretty easy up to this point, but now it was time to tackle the middle stripe– more math. I laid my stripe down in the center-ish of the pillow cover, and then measured on either side of it until I had the same distance between the middle stripe and the stripe on each side, which for me ended up being 6.5″. I ironed it down, and I had 3 of 5 stripes done!
I used the same method to center my final two stripes, ending up with about 2.2″ on either side of the final stripes and ironing them down.
Then all I had to do was stuff my pillow (which I already owned) inside the cover, and I had my pretty gold striped pillow! And I didn’t even have to sew!
And oh yeah, my price was much better, too!
Not too shabby! I’m not the only one creating knock-offs around here, though! My amazing Get Your DIY On co-hostesses have been working on some pretty sweet knock-offs of their own, and you will definitely want to pop over and check them out!
Pottery Barn Knock-Off “Summer House” Sign by Christy, Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer
Pottery Barn-Inspired Rope-Wrapped Mirrors by April, House by Hoff
Pottery Barn Knock-Off Anchor Art by Mandy, The Hankful House
Pottery Barn Knock-Off Succulent Arrangement by Krista, The Happy Housie
Clearly I missed the Pottery Barn memo, right? Geesh! 😉 If YOU have ever done a knock-off project or would like to whip one up before this Sunday, June 1st, we would LOVE for you to join us at our monthly themed link party to show off your stuff! Get Your DIY On goes live at 7 pm EST, and your project will be showcased on all 5 blogs, so don’t miss it! We will see you there!!
Have you done any fun knock-offs lately?
Pssssstttt… Want to learn how to make your own pretty organizational printables? Right now I’m offering a FREE PDF to all of my newsletter subscribers with detailed screenshots and instructions on how to do just that! You can sign up for my newsletter and snag your PDF tutorial here! {PDF is sent within an hour of subscribing. 🙂 }
I link up at these fun parties!
Karen @ a house full of sunshine says
May 30, 2014 at 6:07 amOh, my – that is GORGEOUS!! I just love the gold and white stripes, and I’m loving the $10.50 price tag even more! Pinning for sure. Plus, can I just say, as a fellow avoider-of-sewing-at-any-cost…. I feel like I just found my soul mate. 😉 You had me at “I did not sew one stitch.” Yep… my sorta gal. 🙂
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 11:02 pmAmen to that, my friend! No-sew for the win! 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet words– you are the best! Hope you’re having a fabulous time on vacation! Talk to you soon!
~Abby =)
Holly @ Coconutheadsurvivalguide says
May 30, 2014 at 6:54 amHi Abby – I am insanely impressed! Even with not sewing, there is no way I could make this and I am humbled to be in the same blogesphere as you! Happy Day! Hugs, Holly
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 11:01 pmOh you could totally do it! I know you could! Hope you are doing well, my friend! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Gabi says
May 30, 2014 at 7:15 amI think yr’s is so much prettier! I just shared this on my fb page 🙂
Thx 4 the inspiration <3 I wish I had the Cameo.. *pouts*
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 11:00 pmAwww thank you so much for sharing, Gabi! I hear ya– I coveted the Cameo for a LONG time before my hubby finally got me one for Valentine’s Day this year! It is pretty addicting! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Mandy Hank says
May 30, 2014 at 8:49 amAbby I still can’t believe this isn’t fabric- holy moly. It’s amazing and it would go so lovely in my new office. I just might have to “sew” like you did!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:59 pmLol! Yes, this is my kind of “sewing”! 😉 Thanks so much, friend! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
May 30, 2014 at 9:48 amLove it!!!! And you’re going to love heat transfer vinyl; now that you’ve done one project you’ll never stop, it’s so much fun!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:58 pmThank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing tutorial, Jessi! I was so scared I was going to mess this up, but your instructions were GREAT! And you’re totally right– I’m addicted to HTV now. I already have another project in the works! 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Rachel Kathyg @ onlinesisterhood says
May 30, 2014 at 11:19 amSuper cute! Love that gold heat transfer tape (I have not seen it before). pinned. Have a wonderful weekend.
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:57 pmThanks so much!! This was my first time using it, and now I’m addicted, lol! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Renee Beaucage says
May 30, 2014 at 11:29 amI totally thought you would break down the math in regards to how much cheaper your pillow is versus the RL pillow. I’m also terrible at math, but I figure it’s approximately 90% cheaper than the store-bought version.
I love this pillow. I’m going to Ikea this weekend and I’m definitely going to pick up some of these pillow covers so I can do something creative with them.
Thanks for the inspiration!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:56 pmLol! I totally should have. I guess I was all math-ed out by that point! 90% sounds good to me! Have fun with your pillow covers! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Cynthia says
May 30, 2014 at 1:02 pmHello Abby, this turned out fantastic. What patience you have, this measuring would have been the hubby’s job for sure. I am an instant kind of person he has the patience of a saint, lol.
Cynthia
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:55 pmI am with you, girl! Any time I have to tape something off or do any type of measuring project, I usually call in hubby. He was at work this time, though, so I was stuck doing it myself, lol. At least it worked out! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
May 30, 2014 at 3:17 pmI can’t believe I didn’t know about heat transfer vinyl… and it’s gold!!! Looks amazing, Abby. You did such a beautiful job!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:54 pmThank you, Amy! I think I’m pretty much addicted now, lol! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Leona says
May 30, 2014 at 3:56 pmYour pillow is amazing! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:53 pmThank you so much, Leona!! I’m so glad you stopped by! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
April Hoff says
May 31, 2014 at 7:22 amThis pillow looks so glam! I love it! I need to get some heat transfer vinyl asap!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:52 pmThanks, April! I know… I’m totally addicted now. No fabric surface in my house is safe from HTV! 😀 Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
Kim {Pinspired Home} says
May 31, 2014 at 9:53 amSo cute and simple!
Who would EVER pay over $100 for a pillow?!? That’s ridiculous! (Where does one even find a pillow that expensive?)
I’m loving your blue and gold color scheme. Can’t wait to see how the room comes together!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:52 pmUm, seriously. I couldn’t believe it either. But $10 I can handle! Thanks so much for stopping by, Kim!
~Abby =)
[email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
May 31, 2014 at 8:06 pmI can’t believe all the things you can do with vinyl! This turned out fabulous, even if it’s not from Pottery Barn LOl. 🙂
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:51 pmI know. Totally missed the memo on that one! I’m requiring everyone to turn in their project idea to me ahead of time next time so that I get the scoop, lol! Thank you so much, friend! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
indah nuria savitri says
June 1, 2014 at 7:18 amwooooow….I love it! beautifully crafted and looks expensive indeed…TFS and I am sooo you in avoiding sewing as much as I can 🙂 ..
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:50 pmAnti-sewers, unite! 🙂 Thank you so much for your sweet words, Indah! Hope you’re having a great week!
~Abby =)
[email protected] www.joyinourhome.com says
June 1, 2014 at 5:38 pmLooks fabulous, Abby! Imagine all the money you saved…. It looks like it’s worth waay more than $10!! Way to go!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:45 pmThank you so much, Kendra! Can you believe $115 for a pillow?! That’s craziness! Can’t beat $10, though! Have a great night!
~Abby =)
Krista @ the happy housie says
June 2, 2014 at 9:59 amThese turned out so beautifully Abby – I LOVE the gold stripe… so fun. Can’t believe the price of the original. Amazing knock off!!
justagirlabby says
June 4, 2014 at 10:42 pmThank you, Krista! I know! Who would pay $115 for a pillow?! Craziness! Hope you’re having a great week, friend!
~Abby =)
Jocie @ OPC The Better Half says
June 5, 2014 at 2:50 pmI think I like your version better! Thanks so much for linking up last week at Creativity Unleashed. Pinned and featuring you tomorrow on the blog!
justagirlabby says
June 5, 2014 at 10:30 pmThank you so much, Jocie! It’s always such an honor to be featured on your blog! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Kelli McDaniel says
June 16, 2018 at 5:01 amAwesome collection great idea! thanks for sharing. I liked your design I would love to try them!
justagirlabby says
June 18, 2018 at 12:42 pmThanks, Kelli! <3
~Abby =)