Friday

DIYP-Custom Monogramed Burlap Pillows




This is by far my favorite handmade gift this season and I'm just getting started!  I'm making a ton of these and if you are related to me, there may be some burlap in your future.

I've only bought burlap once. It's a long story, but it involves me, a children's Christmas program and an ornery 5 year old dressed up like a camel.  So, you could say I've been a little slow to the whole use-burlap-in-your-home-decor-fad.

Until now. 

My friend Karen and I made these right before Thanksgiving:


Love it.

So, here's what I came up with:


Supplies: Freezer paper (you can read how to use it here)
Paint
Burlap -any fabric store (even Wal Mart)
X-acto knife
Pillow stuffing
Sewing machine

In 6 easy steps, here we go:
  • Print out a letter (For the "C" pillow above, I used the Edwardian Script font and sized it at 400 in a Word document), lay freezer paper of the letter, cut it out with an X-acto (this is definitely the hardest part).

  • Place the freezer paper stencil over the burlap square (all my pillows are different sizes, burlap is so forgiving) and make sure you put something under the burlap because the paint will bleed through.
  • Iron the paper onto the burlap (freezer paper lightly sticks waxy side down)
  • Paint the letter. After it dries, peel off the freezer paper.
  • Sew the pillow pieces together, leaving room to stuff and about a 1" hem. 

  • Fray the edges (the 1" you left from the seam). This is the fun part. Just pull the threads and they unravel in a most becoming frayed edge!

So. Easy.

Nice gift, eh?


I'm linking up to Just a Girl's "I can make that Party" and Kimba's DIY day!

35 comments:

Unknown said...

You forgot to mention that you need to iron the freezer paper to the burlap.

LOVE the burlap idea though. Where do you get it?

Muthering Heights said...

That is SUCH a cute idea!!

Niki Jolene said...

Sewing scares me.

But this is very cute.

:)

ragamuffinbeauties said...

my last name starts with a c, so send it on over! really love this idea!

Heather said...

Thanks for the awesome idea!

Mandi@TidbitsfromtheTremaynes said...

OH girl- you must have like ESPN or something! I want a burlap table runner with a european look- you have inspired me and now I know how to get what I want on there!

Anonymous said...

Well, my first AND last name begin with a C . . . . . .

Anita said...

Very cute idea. I only wish I was in a creative mood and my sewing machine worked.

Anonymous said...

This turned out great! Very cute. Thanks for the tutorial, too. Have a good weekend...

pk @ ROOM REMIX

SarahJarnagin said...

Great Idea! I recently did a burlap freezer paper art... guess you could call it that.
http://vintagechichome.blogspot.com/2009/09/burlap-monogram.html

Unknown said...

OOH love it!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Cu-ute! My HUSBAND just ordered the missing part to my sewing machine. I guess that means I have to use it? Maybe I'll start with these!

Kim @ Forever Wherever said...

I love them all! I am a major burlap fan! :) They are going to make great Christmas gifts.

Kim

Anonymous said...

OK...I've bookmarked this in the "Projects I Want to Do" folder. Now, we'll see if I actually do it!

Malia

TidyMom said...

Love this!! I even have some burlap in my closet!!

~TidyMom

Amanda said...

Oh my gosh!!!!!!! they are awesome! and how do you make the cheesecloth rose?

Unknown said...

You had me at "monogram" and "pillow" before I even noticed "burlap" (which I LOVE.) Thanks so much!

Kristen said...

Thanks Laura for reminding me about ironing the freezer paper (got in a hurry!)

For the cheesecloth rosette, I just twisted and then glued it with fabric glue.

I'm working on another project with the rosettes, so maybe I can post that and show you exactly how I did it.

Michelle said...

So adorable!

The hyperlink on how to use freezer paper is not live. I have never heard of freezer paper so I would love to learn how to use it.

Unknown said...

My last name starts with C--so now I know what you're getting me for Christmas!! Barring that, where'd you find the C you used? I've searched for just that font with no luck!

Aspiring Mom2three said...

Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing. I remember getting our feed from the grain supply, when I was younger, and it always came in burlap bags... Pop corn as well. I could sure use a few of those now!

Angie said...

Love it!!
You can just iron on another piece of freezer paper
to the back side of each piece too to keep it from bleeding
through.
Also, those of us gals who scrapbook and have personal die cut machines, like the Cricut can put the paper into the machine and cut their stencils out that way.
The possibilities are endless!!
Thanks for the inspiration!

Angie said...

Love it!!
You can just iron on another piece of freezer paper
to the back side of each piece too to keep it from bleeding
through.
Also, those of us gals who scrapbook and have personal die cut machines, like the Cricut can put the paper into the machine and cut their stencils out that way.
The possibilities are endless!!
Thanks for the inspiration!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Cute, cute, cute. I love them. What a great idea. Hugs, Marty

Just say Julie said...

Love it! I just made a burlap table runner with my monogram in the same way. May have to jump on this pillow idea for Christmas gifts too!

Becky @ Our Sweet Peas said...

Love these. I'm inspired!

Anonymous said...

Where do you find freezer paper?

Tammy said...

I love the look of these. If only I sewed! Hmmm.. maybe I need to break out that sewing machine I have never used! Thanks for the idea.

Katie said...

You are so creative. Thanks for the idea.

Unknown said...

Love it! Monograms and burlap, kinda like peanut butter and chocolate! okay, maybe not... :)
I've never tried feezer paper for stencils, I usually use regular printer paper, but I like the idea of it sticking a little!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

cute pillows. I love them!

XOOX
Jen

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

sew cute! hahaha :)

I have got to get me some burlap!

gail

{oc cottage} said...

Adorable!

m ^..^

Chris said...

Oh, I love this idea! Consider it added to my list. :) Also, I LOVE your blog header. That's so fun!

Ashley M said...

I love the idea! It's very neat & would be a great gift! Okay, I'm not very crafty, so this may be a silly question but... what kind of paint are you supposed to use? Does it have to be a special fabric kind? Thanks & anyone who knows can respond -- please.. =oD