I was clickin’ around on Anthropolgie.com the other day and saw something that caused me to become completely enraged. A pillow for $198. Are you kidding me?! Are you friggin’ kidding me?! Two hundo for something that my husband will eventually fart into? No, no thank you.
Now, I don’t really like to decorate with hearts. I am not even a fan of Valentine’s Day (hubs thinks “it’s on the 16th this year”, ha!). But this just really pissed me off. I dropped everything and made my own version in about an hour. You can, too. Watch this.
I had a 17×17 pillow that was too ugly to be on my couch, so that’s what I decided to use as my pillow form. Whatever size pillow you are using, add one inch to each side to get your cut size.
I cut two pieces of 18×18 canvas fabric.
I grabbed some Heat’n Bond and drew some hearts on it in various sizes…
…ironed it onto the back side of the fabric that I wanted to use and cut ’em out….
…. and trimmed ’em up…
Then I peeled off the backing and ironed ’em on.
Then I loaded my machine with some black thread and got to sewin’.
If you have a free-motion foot, this is the time to use it. I tried to use my free-motion foot once and it was a disaster, so I just use the regular presser foot. The key to “tracing” shapes with your sewing machine is to always make sure that when your needle stops, it stops down. This will allow you to lift the presser foot and rotate the fabric around the needle. Take care when rotating the fabric that you don’t pull on the needle and bend/break it.
I trimmed the threads and went back for round two of hearts.
The Heat’n Bond acts like glue to keep the hearts attached to the pillow, but the inspiration pillow has hearts with frayed edges, and I wanted to fray these a tad.
I used a flat head screwdriver to rough up the edges. You could also use a pencil eraser or your fingernail.
There, now it looks almost as raggedy as that expensive Anthropologie pillow. Dang, that price tag makes me mad!
Hearts up, I put my other piece of 18×18 fabric on top.
Pinned ’em together…
And sewed ’em up, leaving an opening for my pillow form.
This is an example of a not-big-enough hole.
Clip the corners, making sure not to clip the stitches.
Turn it right side out and press, ironing down the opening.
This gives you a good guide to go off of when pinning/stitching.
Then I stuffed my ugly pillow in there…
…pinned the opening closed, grabbed needle and thread and then clicked here to watch a ladder stitch tutorial. Since I normally make envelope backed pillow covers, I have to watch this video almost every time I make a pillow this way. This stitch is invisible and super easy. A great stitch to have in your bag of tricks.
That’s it.
Like it?
Good.
It’s $365 dollars.
Get crazy. Get creative. Sew something awesome…. and share it!
dena@heartsandsharts.com
I just found your website and love it and your fabulous humor.
Yay! Thanks, Liz!!!
Two hundo for something that my husband will eventually fart into? – Now somebody should needlepoint that : )
I’m just like you, moved from Texas to Georgia. I’ve just found my love for making everything myself. Not sure if its love or boredom since my friends are still in Texas.
I just taught myself to sew on a machine 2 weeks ago by watching YouTube videos. In that 2 weeks I got over zealous and thought I could make window treatments for my whole house…..I’ve kind of succeeded : )
I’ve since made curtains for the living room, kitchen windows, butlers pantry (that one was an ugly accident so it got banished to the one window no one will see) and I’m halfway complete with my dining room windows.
I’ve also made 2 pillow coverings and turned a dress into a maxi skirt for my daughter. Next on my list is my oversized ottoman!!! I’ve pulled the dust cover off the bottom and its flipped over in the middle of the living room…..one day : )
If you happen to live in Savannah we could certainly get into some crafting mishaps/triumphs together!
Prerequisite – you have to love wine, or beer : ) (or really good cheese)
Oh, Danni. I do love wine, beer and especially cheese. I’m in the Atlanta area, though. 🙁 Where in Texas are you from? How’s the Georgia Mexican food treatin’ ya? It’s killing me. Olive oil in guac? White queso?
There are so many UNtalented people out there who would PAY that $198 for a pillow simply because it’s from Anthro. Good for you on showing how simply it can be done!!! Kudos
Thanks Kathie!
I really am loving your site and humor. Plus< I agree. Nobody needs to spend that much on a pillow. Or most of the arts/crafty stuff they buy for 5 x the price.
However…..if I happen to make one someday that someone wants to pay that much for, I think I'd hand that pillow over willingly.
No joke! I’ll take two hundred bucks for doing next to nothing!
Hi Dena, I mentioned you and your Anthro-inspired pillow on my free motion quilting blog, The Inbox Jaunt today–Seems to have been very popular with my followers. If you’d ever like to collaborate on a project or do a guest post please let me know at lckennedy@hotmail.com
Thank you Lori! Just sent you an email.
I’m always saying, “Oh, I could make that for a lot less,” but you followed through and actually did it!
I was in a black-out crafting rage.
Love what happens when someone creative gets pissed!!! Great pillow! Who in their right mind would pay $200 for a pillow??? Insane!! Your pillow is great! If you are struggling with FMQ, consider the thread you are using. Check out Superior Threads in their education tab and see if that will help you. I don’t quilt on a DSM – tried it once, never again!
Love the pillow. Can’t wait to try making one. Of course I have to clear off my cutting table, etc of the other projects I want to make.
Very fun. I have recycled pillows like that, putting a new cover on top. I really love what you did and also why!
Hi Dena,
What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of Valentine’s Day crafts! Check it out here: http://www.favecrafts.com/blog/fc/valentines-day-craft-ideas/
Have a great day!
Awesome! Thank you Julia!
Love your pillow and thoroughly enjoyed your comments. Too true… no way would I pay nearly $200 for any pillow! May give his one a try. Wondering whether white jersey fabric would give that ragged edge look without fraying it? Thanks a bunch!
Holy cow, this is absolutely gorgeous! I’m just beginning to make friends with my sewing machine but hopefully one day I can work my way up to this! And I totally adore Button Eye Larry 🙂
Thanks Amy! Joining Club Narwhal! Super cute!
Dena, this pillow is so adorable and what a great knockoff! I definitely could never spend $200 on a pillow so I may need to sprucen up my stitching skills 🙂 Thanks for linking up to The Makers!
~Katie
Thanks Katie!
This looks great! There’s nothing quite as satisfying as knocking off an anthro find for a tenth of the cost!
XOXO
Becca | Ladyface Blog
Thanks Becca!
Okay. You are hilarious. And I have to say that octopus pillow is pretty amazing. You could probably legitimately charge 200 bucks for it. So glad I found your blog. I will definitely be following along. (P.S. If you have a second, I’d love if you linked up to The Makers link party over on my blog)
Thank you Alexis! Added a few links to the party and grabbed some buttons! Thank you again!
I sure do hope you kept gettin’ mad!
Great project. One of my goals this year is to unpack the sewing machine I purchased 10 years ago, and learn how to use it!
Love it!! I’ve linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-doodle-heart-appliqued-throw-pillow/2014/01/26/
–Anne
Oooh! Thanks Anne!
Arrrrgh! Quit giving me new projects to try!!!!! Just kidding! Love it and must now learn what a ladder stitch is. Keep try with your free motion foot. It is definitely an art….
Quit with new projects?! Never! I am definitely going to play with the free motion foot this week. Last time was pretty frustrating. It may end up coming off the machine and flying across the room.
Not only do I love the how-to in this article, but I also love the humor you’ve added! Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks… I’m impressed!!
Thanks Rach!