Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Pillows!

My couches have been looking a little bare to me lately - after having such a pattern, I guess. Anyway, I saw this and was sooo inspired to make pillows for my couches! The day before Thanksgiving - I hit Goodwill and came home with old pillows, three shirts, a big fitted sheet and a pillowcase.

Just a quick thought about buying pillows used. I am generally very hesitant to buy things like this used even if I'm going to recover them because you just never know if you'll be able to get them clean or if they came from a home that had smoke. But, I had priced the pillow forms at Wal-Mart and can just tell you that was out of my budget. I decided to take a risk. I bought 8 pillows and all but one worked out beautifully. At $1.99 each - this was so worth the risk.

When I brought the pillows and fabric home, of course I plopped everything in the washer and dryer before doing anything else. I had two of each of these ~ aren't they lovely?!

One pillow I loved as-is, but the rest I just figured out as I went along. I really did not have preconceived ideas or a big plan. Pillow by pillow, I just got creative with each one as I got to it.

The quilted pillow on the left is the one I found already made - I love it!
The other two shown here were made out of shirts and some trims I already had.


These two are fun and yet so different from the other side! I love that they each have their own personality!

The pillow on the right is a vintage-y looking pillow case that ties closed with some ribbon I had on hand.

The front pillow is from a fitted sheet and the gray ruffle swirl is from an Old Navy shirt!


The smaller couch holds my very favorite pillows!

I made two the same for this - one for each side: also out of the fitted sheet and with the gray ruffles coming from the same Old Navy shirt {Goodwill}.

I think the little birdie pillow is my very favorite of all! It was the last idea I came up with and the one that I've oohed and aahed over ever since.

This one was made out of a skirt that I used to wear and I'd cut it up before, but still had part of it in my stash. The birdie template can be found here. Another thing I love about this pillow is that inside it is the "give thanks" pillow I showed a couple of days ago with our Thanksgiving celebration. Since the cover just ties on, I can take it off in the Fall and use it for a cute seasonal pillow and tie the cover back on when I'm finished!


I'm loving the difference this made on my couches and the extra fluff it brings to my living room. I spent about $30 on eight pillows, three shirts, a sheet and pillowcase and ended up with eight pillows to enjoy!

What do you think?

15 comments:

Mary Ann said...

So cute! You did a great job. Making new pillow covers has been on my list for at least a year!

Like you, I'm a bit leery of buying used pillows too. So only occasionally will I pick some up that I think are very clean and in good condition. But I have found a good number of brand new pillow forms at yard sales for $1 or under.

Anonymous said...

Love them!! Have a God filled day!!

Michele said...

My favorite is the bird pillow also! I like to make my pillow covers with an invisible zipper or with buttons so that I can wash them. We have three dogs who like pillows, so washing is essential!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

I love these! You have inspired me to make some pillow for my couch. I have two that came with the couch and two boughten ones. My couch also needs recovered, but haven't gotten that far yet. Maybe when I am home for the summer I can tackle that. Ü

*carrie* said...

Wow, you continue to amaze me!

The Amusing Redhead said...

Awesome!

The bird and the ruffle-y pillows are swoon worthy!

South Girl in the West said...

THEY TURNED OUT JUST AMAZING MONICA! WHAT A CREATIVE PERSON YOU ARE!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

I really like your pillows. That's such a creative idea, a fabulous price and I think I want to visit the Goodwill today, too, and see what treasures I can find ;) :) The bird pillow is especially cute, with the fabric bow tie on the side :) :) It's vintage romantic chic :) :)

Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather :)

angie said...

I think my mind stopped reading when I read that you did this the day before Thanksgiving!! WOW! They do add such a cozy touch to your couches.

Emily Fay said...

I love the pillows! My fav. is the blue quilted one! Very pretty all together!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty, Monica. It sure gives your living room a different look, doesn't it? You are SO creative!!
Congrats on a job well-done.

Love, Grandma

Lisa said...

Amazing!!! Each one so unique and when I saw the birdie pillow, I thought that was my favorite as well! You must be so excited to have all of these lovely pillows for little money! :-)

Jennifer said...

I love it Monica! They look wonderful!

Renee said...

Monica those couches look so inviting and so comfy do you mind me asking where you purchased? I love the pillows and also your arrangement with the lantern and flowers! You are so talented :)

Merry Blessings!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Hi Renee!

Thanks for your comment! :) I bought my couches over a decade ago at Montgomery Wards and just this Fall - finished slip covering them! Thank you for the compliment!

Blessings on your Saturday!
Monica