4.19.2013

{create} an envelope pillow cover

Friends, thank you all for your incredibly helpful suggestions about my living room furniture situation. The majority of your opinions really confirmed my thinking - the slipcovered couch doesn't work! I was kind of prepared for that, but I always like to try and work with what I have first. My current plan is to begin looking for a couple chairs to replace that couch. I also like the idea of putting the chesterfield in front of the bigger window and having the chairs with their back to the kitchen (reorienting the room). We had the living arranged similar to this a LONG time ago, but the wall was always in the way. Now that there isn't a wall (!) I think it's time to revisit that idea. A few of you also suggested putting the slip covered couch against the window perpendicular to the leather couch. This idea had never crossed my mind, and I was looking at the space this morning and I think there might be room. I'll give it a shot.  So anyway, now I have options and I thank you! :)

In other breaking news, I made a pillow.

Okay, so maybe not such breaking news, but you might have noticed that I've been making a LOT of pillows lately (hello, church basement), so I thought I'd share my method. Because it's really easy.

On a side note, isn't this fabric fantastic? I 'found' it in my fabric stash a couple weeks ago. I don't even remember buying it (you know you have a fabric problem when ....), but I LOVE it. And, I had just enough to make a pillow. 

When was making the pillows for the church, we raided good will and thrift stores for the pillow forms. I was busy removing all the covers one night when I realized that a lot of them were pillows stuffed with fluff and then sewn shut. Do people still do this, really? I remember that's how I was taught in 7th grade home ec. But, I always had a problem getting the finishing stitching to look right!  Oh, and the fluffy stuff gets lumpy quick!




If you're going to pull out your sewing machine anyway, the envelope method is fantastic! I'm irrationally terrified of zippers, so I use this method for all pillows. It's quick and easy, clean-looking and really easy to then switch out new pillow covers. I actually don't ever buy new pillow forms - I have a certain number that works our house and I just switch out the covers - which take up WAY less room when storing. 

I actually posted a complete tutorial for making envelope pillows way back when I first started blogging and no one read here. Instead of rewriting, I'll point you in that direction - it's a good tutorial. And, as a bonus, you can catch a glimpse of our horrible old blue carpet. Oh, the good ole days! :) Click here for an envelope pillow cover tutorial.

I hope you all have a great weekend! :)


8 comments:

  1. That's too funny that you don't remember buying the fabric.. and it just caught my eye as a tablecloth (?) under the paper mache tray featured project in the right sidebar ;)

    Getting ready to do a frenzy of pillow covers myself and this is exactly what I plan to do too! Happy Friday.

    -Malorie

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    1. OMG! YES! Thank you - and good eye. I was so perplexed and totally forgot that I used it for a Thanksgiving table setting. Mystery solved! :)

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  2. Awesome!! Love that fabric, Jenn...it pulls everything together. Now I have pillow envy again. Although I did score a Nate Berkus one at Target the other day on sale for $7.48:) I didn't get a chance to write back the other day, but I definitely agree about 2 chairs being better than 2 sofas. Sorry, I know now you have to go out and do more shopping and figure out what to do with the couch that doesn't work. But that new one and the ottoman are fantastic!!

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  3. Ha...breaking news...love it. Man, I really wish I had Home Ec in high school! It'd really come in handy making pillows. I'm getting ready to Craigslist my super old sewing machine that I've never used. btw, I do like your ottoman. I think that you'll be happy with the size once you have the other furniture figured out. There's nothing like proppin' your feet up on a comfy ottoman. Also, couldn't you just cover it yourself? I'd totally take a stab at it and save a few bucks. Okay, gotta run. Just me and the boys this weekend:/ Pray for me! Happy weekend to you:)

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  4. Love that fabric - the pattern, the colors - love. And it looks really great with your dip dyed pillow that you made. That Chesterfield is so darn handsome.

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  5. They look beautiful! :)
    http://www.mogulinteriordesigns.com/category/26884547581/1/Sari-Curtains.htm

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  6. Love the fuzzy white pillow! Where did you get it?

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    1. Isn't it awesome? It's so snuggly - and it's from Target!

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