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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Almost No-Sew Pillow

Yesterday I stopped by Home Goods...I can't help myself.  I just love that store.  I walked up and down the aisles and nothing really grabbed my attention, until I went into the tablecloth aisle and saw these placemats.

These were $14.99 for four 15"x15" placemats.  However, when I saw these I didn't think placemats...I thought pillows.  Everything about it screamed pillow at me...the size, the shape, the design.  I mean, really, how often do you see a square placemat?
Image from Pottery Barn
It reminded me of the embroidered pillows I often see at Pottery Barn (which are $39 each for the pillow cover).

Originally I thought I would sew two placemats together and form a pillow that way.  Upon closer inspection of how these placemats were constructed, I realized I only had to rip open the seam and stuff in between the back and the front.  Almost no sewing.
Using my seam ripper, I ripped open a small section of the seam at the bottom.  I then had to put my hand inside to separate the front and back piece of fabric.  When they make these placemats they use a piece of fusible web to hold the front and back together.  It comes apart really easily.
So here's another thing that didn't go as planned.  I planned on taking the insert from this pillow (which is no longer being used anywhere) and putting it inside of the new pillow.  When I ripped the seam of this fringed pillow, it turns out there was no insert, but stuffing.  That's when I decided to only open up a small seam in the placemat in order to stuff it.
I stuffed it using the stuffing from the pillow I was no longer using.

Then I hand sewed the seam back together.  Honestly, it was faster than filling a new bobbin with white thread (I have aqua thread in my sewing machine right now from another project I will share with you in the next few days).   It was that easy.  Less than fifteen minutes later...voila:


Do you love it as much as I do?

I made a second one as well.  I was able to find an actual insert for the other one (I have a stash of old pillows no longer being used in a closet).  The only difference was that I had to rip open a larger opening so that I could fit the insert in.  Other than that they both came out the same.


I think I like how two at the end of my guest room bed looks.

Or maybe one on the chair and one at the end of the bed...what do you think?

Total cost of this project  - $3.75 per pillow.  Now that's a real deal.  I still have two placemats left.  I will come up with something cool to do with those two as well.  Any ideas?


Don't forget, the Winter Blues Wednesday party will stay open through Friday.  If you haven't linked up yet, there's still time.  Just click here to join in the fun.

-Judy
I've linked up to this party - go check it out

Creations by Kara

66 comments:

Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors said...

Those were so meant to be pillows! I love making place mat pillows too. It's such good instant gratification.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness! Gorgeous! Aren't you the most clever one! That is one beautiful placemat and you're so right - it screamed pillow! Great tutorial! You know I was going to do the same thing you did - take out the pillow form from a pillow I wasn't using - it was stuffed, just like yours! :)
Your bedroom is so lovely!
Be a sweetie and thanks for popping in to see me,
Shelia ;)

cleverlyinspired said...

Shared on FB ...love this!

Brandi said...

LOVE IT! you are so very, very, creative Judy! I have to return a couple things to H.G. this weekend, so I'll be sure look down that aisle! Thanks for the inspiration and sharing!

Stacey said...

Great idea! I love the pattern...now I want to go search for some odd placements to make - thanks for the idea! I wish I had a HomeGoods store nearby...not much here in this little town. We have to drive to Scranton to find all the shops!
Stacey :o)

Rashon Carraway said...

I love it when people use items as not intended!

Mr. Goodwill Hunting

laxsupermom said...

Love these! I've made placemat pillows before, but always sewing 2 together. Genius to rip apart the seam. Thanks for sharing.

Diane said...

What a wonderful idea! Love them!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a great idea. Love the pattern, it is wonderful. Such a clever idea. Hugs, Marty

-Emily- said...

Wow! Amazing. Your pillows are beautiful. I can't wait to use this idea!

Unknown said...

Judy I think they look better than PB's

Pattie

Kim said...

Fabulous!!!!!

Shannon @FairfaceWashcloths said...

I LOVE your placemat to pillow transformations! They're really pretty. I love the colors and patterns. Your bedroom is gorgeous too!

shannonsews.blogspot.com

NatureGirl said...

I think I am in love! I am on the look out for placemats now!!! Use the leftovers to make some pillows for a friend? Shower gift?

Keri {One Mama's Daily Drama} said...

Wow! Those are gorgeous. They match your room really well too. I'm working on crocheting covers for a pair of inserts I got on clearance at Target for a couple dollars.

Marie C. said...

Those are beautiful! I love it! And considering you have two left over, I wonder if you could make a really cute purse or tote out of it? Or frame one (or both) as art? They are so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Wow! What an awesome idea,I love it! So talented!I am awarding you the Versatile Blogger Award, please check out my post tomorrow Feb.11th for details.
Thanks!

whatitsallabout4u.blogspot.com

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

Awesome find with those place mats! They're fabulous! Great job turning them into pillow too! Thanks for linking up!

Gina said...

Those pillow are so cute! No wonder you were drawn to the placemats, they match your guest room perfectly :)
Gina
http://ginahickman.blogspot.com

Nicole said...

I will definitely be checking the placemat aisle from now on!! Awesome.

Susan Anderson said...

I do love them! In fact, they are perfect.

=)

. said...

That is GENIOUS!!! That's a sewing project even I could do! :)

Unknown said...

They look wonderful! It really looks like you made them.

Kara said...

Wow, I totally love them! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I love yours, and I'm your newest follower. :)

Donnie said...

What a great idea. I love your pillows.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

What a great idea and they look just as good as the one's PB sells. OH and I love that little wicker chair! Martina

cailen ascher said...

how i love homegoods! i could spend way too much time there... great idea for pillows - definitely will keep that in mind for future projects : )

great blog! i'm your newest follower.
til next time,
cailen
www.cailenascher.blogspot.com

Pam Kessler said...

I would have never thought of that, but they do make great pillows. Thanks for the idea.

Love the Decor! said...

So beautiful!! Very cleaver and creative. I am your newest follower and look forward to getting to know you better!!

Mindy @ Heart Maine Home said...

Those are beautiful -- I love them! Pillows can be so expensive; that's a great, affordable alternative.

storybeader said...

they came out beautifully! and match well with the other pillows in the room. If you put them at the end of the bed, your guests may be more likely to use them, maybe to read in bed? Hmmm - R for seam Ripper? {:-Deb

Lynn said...

They are very pretty, really:@)

lvroftiques said...

HI Judy!
Thanks for stopping by and following me! Now I'm following you too. And as lucky #400 I want to know what you're going to do with that pilla with no stuffing? Because I have two almost identical pillows! *winks* Only mine have down inserts. If you ever want to sell it??....Just putting it out there my new friend *winks* Looking forward to reading more of your blog. I'm a thrifty gal too. And your new placemats were screaming to become pillows! They look great! I wish we had a Home Goods here in my state. *sighs* Vanna

Judie said...

This is a FABULOUS idea! Who'd uh thunk it??

Christina said...

I totally made these a few months ago with clearance placemats from Kohls and I was SO surprised with how EASY it was! I looove that you got square placemats...and the details are just beautiful!
Thank you so much for linking to "20 Below Thursday"!! :)

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Oh, I love these! So pretty!

Unknown said...

Just beautiful!

Crafty Girls said...

Stunning! I love Home Goods too! You found a great deal.

Stacey said...

Hi Judy!
I've nominted you for the Versatile
Blogger Award - see my blog for me information!
Stacey at Embracing Change

http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

Love love love these! Must go to Home Goods to buy some for myself. Now! :)

Caitlin @ CaitsCreates said...

These are adorable! I actually had this same thought on a few placemats I got at Target on sale...great minds think a like :)

Honora said...

Brilliant - I love those 'aha' moments when a totally unsolicited idea pops into one's head!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

Those are so beautiful! I love Home Goods also. I can spend a hour just walking through looking at everything..I'd never come up with an idea like this one though....

sigh.

At The Picket Fence said...

Hi Judy! I saw this when you first posted it and then for some reason forgot to comment on it...must have been interrupted by a rascal! :-) I just love it and can't believe that the placemat was stiched so perfectly to allow you to stuff it. That almost never happens to me! I always seem to find the most difficult things! But they truly look beautiful and you did a great job and I'm trying really hard to not be jealous of you getting to pop into Home Goods whenever you want. :-) Thanks for linking up to the party this week!
Vanessa

Kate said...

What a great idea! I love that you made pillows out of those, they look like they were meant to be that way.

Megan Gunyan said...

Awesome! Those are beautiful!

Katie Olthoff said...

Beautiful! I wish we had a homegoods here!

Rosalie said...

Love them! I wish we had a homegoods where I live. I keep hearing about them, but don't have one to go to. :-(

Amy@HomeRemediesRX said...

Your pillows turned out beautifully! I will never look at placemats the same way again...

Jess said...

i love them!!! i think i'll be taking a trip to homegoods!!! the colors would be perfect!! i am new to your blog...can't wait to come back when the kids are off to school!!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Judy!
What darling pillows and such a great idea- I am going to have to keep my eye out in the placemat section of Home Goods~ these lovely placemat pillows are fantastic. Thanks for linking up to Feathered Nest Friday! :)

Unknown said...

Love the pillows. I also noticed that the blue floral pillows and seat cushion are made out of the as fabric as the curtains in my family room. Small world :)

Splendid Little Stars said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Splendid Little Stars said...

definitely cool! love your idea!

Sarah said...

Such a pretty fabric, too! Thanks for linking up to Simply Step Back!

nancybabb said...

SO CLEVER! I'm going shopping! Thx for sharing!

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Judy...I love your pillow, very clever and so pretty. Thanks for joining me....could you just add my link too:)? XO

Kathy said...

You have so many you don't need mine, but I just had to say that is one of the most clever ideas I have seen! Coming from Debs and so glad I did

Erika . . . with a K said...

You make it look so easy -- even I could do that! So inspiring, I love it!!

Anonymous said...

These are great!! You should submit these to Knock Off Decor!


http://knockoffdecor.com/

Diane said...

What a brilliant idea! I love anything that is embroidered. You make it look so simple that maybe even I could make these.

Note to self. Head to Home Goods in the morning...

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

I've seen this done before, but these are the prettiest placemates I've seen used! All the ones I find are u-g-l-y :)
very pretty pillows!
gail
thanks for sharing @ ccc

Jenny said...

What a beautiful and brilliant idea. I would never have thought of that and how fortunate that you could get a complete pillow out of just one mat!

They are gorgeous. They really do look hand-embroidered.

Thanks for linking to Alphabe-Thursday's letter "R".

This was really amazing.

A+

extreme personal measures said...

Gorgeous! You are so clever! That is one beautiful placemat turned pillow, I've ever seen! Great job on the tutorial.


Denise
Extreme Personal Measures

Esther Asbury said...

These are so pretty -- and what a great way to use placemats! (Linking to your post on my Walk Around Blog Land)

Modern Country Lady said...

Hi there Judy,
Think you were here first- right !! and now look at Centsational Girl

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/03/no-sew-cloth-napkin-pillow-covers/

Seems to me she reads your blog.....

PS
Yours are prettier !!

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