Sunday, March 6, 2011

Mini Pillow tutorial

Well, I've been wanting to do this tute for a while but every time I made mini pillows I would forget to take pictures.  {I know, bad blogger}.  But, my sweetheart of a hubby {thought I better throw that in there just in case he actually reads this} took a day off of work and packed up our little Miss Sassy Pants and headed out for the morning so I could get some more work done for the upcoming craft show.  

These are what I made:  26 postcard sized no-sew pillows.



This is how you do it.  There are a few variations in how you can do these {I've tried them all} and each variation has is benefits and drawbacks.  This time I used Variation One so the images you will see will be of pillows made using Variation One.


Variation OneFast and Easy but still SUPER cute.
            Supply List:  Osenburg fabric, all purpose spray glue, Fabri Tac fabric glue, instant coffee,
                                tea bags, clothes pins, poly-fiber stuffing, computer images of your choice
                                {all of my images I got from The Graphics Fairy and Land of Nod Studios}
                                 and an inkjet printer


First get yourself some lovely Osenburg fabric.  It's one of my favorites.  It's cheap but has the beauty and texture of linen.  If you are only going to make a few, a 1/3 of a yard will be plenty!  Dye your fabric if you would like to.  I use a combination of tea and instant coffee.  Allow to hang dry.  I usually dye the night before so I can work first thing the next morning.
  1. Cover your workspace with cardboard and lay out your fabric.  Spray the fabric generously with the spray glue.  {I recommend opening a window because you might get a little loopy from the fumes if you don't}  Lay out regular computer paper across your fabric.  One sheet for each pillow you're going to make.


2.  Cut out fabric being very careful that no fabric extends beyond the paper.  {You don't want the fabric to get caught in your printer!}  Wait a few minutes so the glue dries. Then load one sheet of paper/fabric combo into your printer.




3.  Select the image.  Using Word enlarge/shrink or rotate the image so that it take up 1/2 of the paper.  Print baby, print.  Gently peel the paper away from the fabric.

    4.  GLUE!  {you can do right sides together for a more finished look or wrong sides together for a more rustic look}  Run a thin bead of Fabri Tac along 3 of the sides, fold over and press.  I use clothes pins to secure the pillow.
5.  Wait about 3-4 hours to allow the glue to dry.  Remove clothes pins {you might have to pry them off if glue get on them but I've never had a problem with one getting really stuck}.  Stuff your pillow with Poly-Fiber stuffing.  Again run a thin bead of Fabri Tac along the unsealed edge and use your clothes pins to clamp shut that edge.  Again, allow to dry 3-4 hours.  TaDa!  Mini pillow.  Great for mantels, bookshelves, grouping in a bowl or basket or on furniture.



Variation Two:  Longer but more vintage and rustic looking




1.  Follow all the instruction above, skipping the dying of the fabric and you will stop after you print out your image.   This is the HARD part....allow your fabric with images printed on it to sit and rest for at least a week.  I know, it's so HARD to do this but definitely worth it for the effect it gives.* I also highly recommend using only very clear black and white images or very vibrant color images for this variation because there will be significant fading.*

2.  Dye your fabric in tea or coffee or both.  Turn oven to 225 and bake the fabric on cookie sheets.  Flip fabric over every 10 minutes until completely dry.  The fabric will be stiff and have brown marks all over.

3.  Continue following the instructions in Variation One.  Your pillows will look aged to perfection.

Variation Three:  Sewing your pillows {A softer more "pillow like" pillow}

1.  I recommend dying your fabric first like in Variation One. 
2.  Instead of using spray glue.  Get yourself some Freezer Paper.  Lay out Freezer paper {wax side up} and place fabric on top.  Iron fabric until it is secured to the Freezer Paper.  Flip paper/fabric combo over and trace the outline of a sheet a computer paper onto the Paper side of the Freezer Paper.  Cut out, again being very careful that no fabric extends beyond  the outline.
3.  Insert the Freezer Paper/fabric combo into your printer and print image.  Gently peel off Freezer Paper.
4.  Fold fabric with right sides together and pin 3sides.  Sew the three sides shut and stuff you pillow.  Then pin and sew your final edge shut.

Hope you like these!

Also Linking to:
Visit thecsiproject.com
 No Minimalist Here's Open House Party

  











 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
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69 comments:

  1. These are great!! Thanks for the good step-by step! I will be making these soon!!!

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  2. Love these little pillows and your step by step directions are great! Thanx for sharing...Keep on craftin'...Tiff @ The Cranky Queen http://thecrankyqueen.blogspot.com

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  3. what a brilliant way to print an image right onto fabric! i have been trying different methods for pillow making that have not worked at all so thank you for this idea...now following.

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

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  4. How sweet of you to share your secrets. I'm not familar with that fabric, but I'm going to look the next time I'm out. I love this!
    Debbie

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  5. Aaron, those are really neat! Looks like a lot of work!

    Nancy

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  6. LOVE your pillows! I love making these too! Isn't printing on the fabric the best?

    Jeanine

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  7. Wow, your pillows are just fabulous. Love the vintage look and the images you used. Thanks for all the tips on making these.
    Visiting from Graphics Fairy. TFS!

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  8. Thanks for all the options....I love the way your pillows turned out and the images you chose. I would love it if you would link this up to my blog party, A Marvelous Mess. Each party I pick one project to feature for a week on my sidebar!! Here is the link:
    http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/03/marvelous-mess-3.html

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  9. You had me at no-sew. These are fabulous. Thanks.

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  10. Great tutorial. These are great!

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  11. Wow, those really came out great. Super tutorial as well. I am your latest follower. I would love if you would come and check out my blog and follow me back. Thanks so much.

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  12. oh what a great tutorial! loving all the pillows you made, i just got to try this soon! i'm ur newest follower, thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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  13. Wow! Fabric through the printer! I've wondered about trying that. My hubby will flip if he catches me but maybe I can sneak a few through. Thanks for the great details!

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  14. Oh these turned out so CUTE! I'd love to fill a whole basket with them to put next to the sofa. I would be delighted if you could link this up to my VIP party tomorrow. www.designergarden.blogspot.com

    Sommer

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  15. I just want to be sure about this: you're printing onto the fabric not the paper??? I know it sounds silly but most people use that transfer paper which I have had problems with in the past! Also do you need to flip the design or just print it the way you see it {for the words} Great little pillows! thanks Nancy

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  16. Your pillows are so cute! Great job for your upcoming show. Nice tut. I've happily just become your friend and followers.

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  17. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I've been wanting to try this technique for some time now. It's good to have it fresh in my mind again and to see your wonderful creations. Thanks for sharing this.

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  18. Wow! This is wonderful. Thank you so much for the great tutorial.

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  19. Your little pillows are just adorable! Thanks for the tutorial!
    Blessings,
    Janet

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  20. Cute, cute, cute. Over from French Country Cottage

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  21. What a great tutorial, can't wait to try it! The images you chose are perfect for this project.

    Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Love your blog!

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  22. So fun! I love this idea! Your pillows look amazing. Great job!

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  23. LOVE IT, THANKS FOR SHARING! CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT!

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  24. Thanks for a great tutorial...my mind is now whirling with the possibilities!

    Jan

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  25. These are Darling, and so simple! Thank you for sharing. I'm stopping by via Freckled Laundry, to say, have a wonderful weekend, xoxo tami

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  26. These are really cute! I did this at x-mas time with a placemat because I can't sew a thing! Thanks for linking up Flaunt it Friday! :)

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  27. Love it! Saw your project on Graphic Fairy's Brag Monday. I'm now following you =)

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  28. What lovely pillows!! I love your site! I'm a follower now, and would love if you'd follow me back :) have great rest of the weekend!!

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  29. Love these! And love you blog. I am now following you :)

    Christine @ krazycraftylady.blogspot.com

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  30. I'm featuring you, stop by for an "I was featured" button if you'd like. :)

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  31. So simple & beautiful!! I invite you to link your great idea to my blog bash K.I.S.S. Thrilled to be a new follower. :)

    Drop by The Tattered Tag

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  32. What a great pillow idea, I was thinking to make some and these were great inspiration, Thanks!

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  33. OMG! These are fabulous! Thanks for the tute - I'm gonna have to try this one. I'm a new follower. Come visit me when you get a chance.

    CindyLou @ SouthernComforts

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  34. Very cute pillows! I used my printer to make pillows also but used freezer paper to adhere them to the paper to print them. Great job!

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  35. These are so cute!!! That little birdcage one needs to come live at my house. ;) Great tutorial!
    Thanks so much for linking to Think Pink Sundays!! (and for posting the button too!!! ) :)

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  36. I LOVE these!! I can't wait to make some pillows (just bought the fabric glue) :)

    Great tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

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  37. oooh I luv luv these definitely on my to do list :)
    would luv for you to add it to our linking party this week.
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/03/orange-blossoms-with-linking-party.html
    Thanks
    Maggie

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  38. Very cute! You'll laugh that I posted a very similar pillow with the birdcage graphic today at Sherry's party too.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Pam
    OurAdventuresinHomeImprovement.blogspot.com

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  39. Hi Aaron, You had me at "no sew". These are perfect for those of us that just can't get the sewing thing right. The mini pillows are adorable and something I will definitely try. Thanks so much for sharing this at my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  40. I love no sew! Fabri-Tac RULES! These are so cute, reminds me of an assortment of mini pillows I saw at Steinmart last week!
    Visiting from No Minimalist Here : Open House linky party... stop by and visit me at cookscleansplayswithpaper.blogspot.com

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  41. Oh, I LOVE this tutorial...thank you so much for taking the time to post it along with all the great tips. I saw your link over at "French Country Cottage" (I think...I have linked around so much today, I don't know where I started actually)

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  42. These are VERY cool! I am gonna be trying these soon!

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  43. I hate it when I get a new follower and they don't leave a comment so I can get to know them too so - I am telling you that I am a new follower and this is my comment! I've always been leary about putting fabric through my printer but today I am feeling adventurous! Thanks for the tutorial!

    ~~Connie

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  44. How adorable, love the mini pillows. May have to try them.

    I'm a new follower. Hope to share some ideas in the future.

    Have a God Filled Day
    Shirley

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  45. These are so fantastic! Great job!

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  46. I just tried...and tried... and tried to put a cut, ironed piece of heavey painter's canvas cloth through my inkjet printer. NO matter what, I get a paper jam. It will NOT go through the printer. I even tried folding over the leading edge, a piece of linen tape, so it would have a smoother edge to go through. Still no luck. Is it just too thick? Thanks! QuirkyKim

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    Replies
    1. I have had the same luck as you. Burlap made my printer scream. I have an HP and a Canon large format and still no luck even with taping. I am going to try once again. Another blog said to choose paper type as photo matte or watercolor. Don't know if my HP has watercolor as an option. I want this to work!

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  47. Hi there, I love your tutorials on these cute mini pillow and I´m sure I´ll try them out one day:) I was going to put your button on my blog, but it takes me every time to photobucket and not your blog :(

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  48. These are great! I liked your pillows so much I linked this to my no sew pillows post too, well done!

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  49. Wonderful idea.....new follower, found you through Graphic Fairy blog! Thanks for sharing...I'll be back for more inspiration!

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  50. Saw your pillows via Graphics Fairy. I LOVE them! They have such a yummy, vintage look. Yay - No Sew makes this project super wonderful.

    Thanks so much for sharing!!!

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  51. hi aaron,
    these pillows are very, very beautiful and cute!
    I also love the shabby chic.
    greetings from AUSTRIA
    margit

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  52. Thank you so much for being so generous and sharing this with us. I have been wanting to make cushions for a little while, but typical me ... I chose what seemed an impossible project, because I can't sew! This is a fabulous alternative. Your work is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you and bless you!

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  53. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  54. Love these, so cute!!! Will make perfect gift/ part favor for my upcoming Tea party :)

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  55. Thank you for the tutorial..I am going to try this in the morning...cant wait....

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  56. This is such a cute project . I especially appreciate the tip on how you printed on fabric. I found you on Pinterest... ":o)

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  57. I've never seen anyone print on fabric that way before! Very cool. The possibilities seem endless! lol I will definitely have to try this and when I do I will link back to this page! Thanks!

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  58. bonjour , je viens vers toi pour savoir si tu pourais m'aider a travailler , je suis en invalidité et je viens de creer une FRIFRIBOX, , si tu veux en savoir plus , tu peux aller sur mon blog:

    www.frifricreations.canalblog.com
    et si tu peux relayer l'info

    merci par avance de m'avoir lue

    frifricreations

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  59. thank you very much for this tutorial. I will use my gifts for Christmas and dye my linens.
    have a good day

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