Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Works for me: Cheap decorative pillows


I hate it that you have to pay $20 a piece for a decent pillow, and even then you end up compromising because you can't find the exact look you want. I discovered recently that instead of paying that much, I could find a place mat from the same decorative line and pay 3.99 per pillow. I didn't even use a sewing machine, just a needle a thread... it was so easy!


All you are going to need is as many place mats as you wish to make into pillows, matching thread, a needle, pillow stuffing and a seam ripper.


To use place mats, you need to find some that aren't just a single piece of material. Find place mats that have 2 pieces of material sewn together. I used the matching place mats to this table runner, for example. I lucked out, because the color of the fabric on the back side of the place mat matched the color of the decorated side. This is not really that important, unless you are particular in which case you should go ahead and spend the money to get the perfect pillow. *wink*

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On the outer edge you will usually find a finishing stitch ( an extra row of stitching, not that actual stitching that sews the front and back together) , all the way around the place mat. You are going to rip that out using a seam ripper.
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After you have done that, there should be a side somewhere on the place mat that has an opening; this is where you are going to put the stuffing in. Once you have the stuffing in, all you need to do is sew that opening shut... and that's it! You'll have a pillow for a fourth of the price. :o) Here's what my pillows look like:
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Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
Works for me!

If you would like to browse more Works For Me Wednesday tips, you can check them out at Rocks In My Dryer.

13 comments:

kel said...

What a great idea.

Beck said...

That is SO SMART! I'm with you - I just can't justify buying expensive pillows, but now I can have the looks that I want! Thanks!

Kelly Curtis said...

That is an AWESOME idea. And you can put good filler in them so they don't go all lumpy like the cheap ones in the stores.

Oh gosh, another thing on my list of stuffIwanttodo.

Thanks for stopping by WFMW too!

Kelly
Home of Pass the Torch Tuesday

Susanne said...

Now how smart is this! And the rich colors you used are absolutely beautiful! Thanks for dropping by my place and leaving a comment!

Karmyn R said...

You are so creative!

Anonymous said...

stunning thanks for sharing, definately going to try this one.

Anonymous said...

That's a great idea. Those pillows can be so expensive. Thanks for posting a comment over at my place too. Have a blessed day!

Anonymous said...

Those are beautful! Creative idea!

Anonymous said...

Great idea...but I came over here looking for the "How to put an icon on your url!"
Whoops! :)

Stephanie said...

Genius, I say! I can't tell you how happy I am with this idea!

Goslyn said...

I do not sew, and this is a great idea! I can do handstiching without wanting to shoot someone, but machines elude me. This tip will help me finally get some nice looking throw pillows!

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Love those shiny and well designed decorative pillows... Perfect stuff for decoration!!

Kailynne said...

Love those shiny and well designed decorative pillows... Perfect stuff for decoration!!