Sewing, for instance. I couldn't sew a straight line if my life depended on it. Replacing buttons are about as good as it gets for me.
So when I wanted to make a pillow for the nursery, I decided I would purchase an already made pillow cover and use fabric paint for the design.
I love all of the cute arrow printed pillow options out there right now! Definitely a popular choice, but I felt like I could recreate the look for much less. Here are some of my inspirations
I headed to Hobby Lobby and grabbed a plain 12 x 20 canvas pillow cover, a two-pack of black fabric markers, and also a pillow insert. While I was at the store, I came upon an arrow stencil that I was this close to grabbing, but ultimately decided against it. I felt confident that I could better get the look I wanted by hand drawing it rather than stenciling.
Here's what I did.
After a quick once over with the iron to get the big wrinkles out of the pillow cover, I used a straight edge to pencil in a rough outline of where the arrows would go. I made three long lines across the cover and also two "end cap" lines to help guide me in making all the arrows the same length. I left approximately two inches of margin around the pillow.
Next, I free handed parallel lines next to the long lines - this formed the arrow "body." This wasn't perfect, of course, because I was free handing it, but it gave me a rough outline for where the arrows would be.
After I was satisfied with the pencil sketch, I took the leap and traced over everything with the black fabric pen. These pens were so easy to use - basically like using a sharpie! I went over everything twice to make sure I had nice, bold lines.
After a quick once over with the iron to get the big wrinkles out of the pillow cover, I used a straight edge to pencil in a rough outline of where the arrows would go. I made three long lines across the cover and also two "end cap" lines to help guide me in making all the arrows the same length. I left approximately two inches of margin around the pillow.
Next, I free handed parallel lines next to the long lines - this formed the arrow "body." This wasn't perfect, of course, because I was free handing it, but it gave me a rough outline for where the arrows would be.
Then, using the pictures above as inspiration and reference, I sketched out three different arrow designs. This was the fun part! I knew I wanted them each to be unique. If I made a "mistake" I just lightly erased the mark and kept going. There really was no rhyme or reason - I just played around with it until it looked "right" to me.
After I was satisfied with the pencil sketch, I took the leap and traced over everything with the black fabric pen. These pens were so easy to use - basically like using a sharpie! I went over everything twice to make sure I had nice, bold lines.
You can still see some of my pencil guide lines, but after 24 hours of "cure time," this pillow cover is machine washable! Those pencil marks will be gone after the first wash.
Of course, before throwing it in the laundry, I really wanted to see how the finished product would look, so I pulled out the pillow insert and stuffed it in the newly decorated cover. I have my eye on the STRANDMON chair from Ikea in green for the nursery, but until I make that purchase, I just threw the pillow on a little leather chair in our living room.
Cute, right? I am definitely pleased with how it turned out. It's definitely not "perfect," but I am in love with the rustic feel of it and can't wait to put it in the baby's room. It's going to go great with our "adventure/Tolkien" theme!
With sales and coupons, my total came to right around 10 bucks! Don't you love Hobby Lobby? You can't beat that price, folks. Definitely a DIY win in my book!
What types of DIY projects did you do or are planning to do for the nursery?
-Heather
What types of DIY projects did you do or are planning to do for the nursery?
-Heather
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