I’ve been crushing on this pillow from Vivaterra for a while. Although “You Are My Sunshine” is a great song, I would prefer to have a quote of my choosing on a pillow that I’m going to see everyday. Also, am I the only one that thinks $159 is a bit steep for a pillow? I figured making my own was the perfect solution.
Supplies:
a blank pillow cover (I purchased a nice linen cover here.)
some cardboard
a pencil
a letter stencil (I have this one.)
a fabric marker (My black Sharpie fabric marker worked great!)
After choosing your quote, stuff your pillow cover with some cardboard to keep the marker from bleeding through and to keep the fabric stretched out smooth.
Use a pencil to stencil your quote onto the pillow cover. If you mess up the spacing you can erase the pencil lines and redo them. You can’t fix mistakes when you’re using the fabric marker, so don’t skip the pencil step. (At least I was able to erase on the linen, I don’t know if that would work on other fabrics.)
Once you’ve penciled everything in, go at it with your fabric marker! I found it easiest to use the stencil for the outline of each letter, and then remove the stencil to fill the letters in.
The Sharpie fabric marker packaging didn’t say anything about heat setting the ink, but I will probably press my pillow cover before I wash it, just to be safe.
Mabel approves!
So awesome! Nicely done. I also came across this super cute DYO pillows on thegoodiebag.com. Bubbles, Tag Wall , Hearts, and more.
amazing. i love it. I’m going to do Annabel Lee for my pillow. my favorite poem. <3
I am having trouble finding stencils that work well. What size did you use?
I used a 1.25″ stencil. The link to the stencil I used is included above.
I really loved your pillow tutorial, so I bought the fabric sharpie markers, the stencil, and lots of linen (I want to make a couple of different pillows), and I’m mid-way through my first one. It’s looking great so far, but I’ve already used almost the entire blue marker! I was just wondering if you used more than one marker? Your letters are so dark and perfect, and to get mine to look like that I’ve had to go over it a couple of times.
Thanks!
Amanda
My black marker was able to do the whole pillow and never ran out of ink. I wonder if the blue ink isn’t as dark, so you have to use more ink to get good coverage? The black one covered in one coat mostly, and I only had to touch up a few places.
What a great idea.
I love words on anything, and I’m with you, more than $100 for a pillow seems kinda steep. This way it’s totally custom.
Thanks so much for tip.
All the best,
Nannette Eaton
I adore this! I want to stencil words onto quilt squares and was wondering if you think that this is something that would hold up well to a lot of washes?
Thanks!
I love your pillow and your blog too – it’s lovely here! I’ve got this linked to my stenciling project post today, for inspiration!
the lorax! what a great quote. thanks for posting this. i have been looking for a great linen pillow cover!
I recently came across your blog via design sponge and I have enjoyed reading your back list of posts…
Mabel completely caught my eye in this one though… what breed is she? She is adorable.
Congrats on the 1000 orders. I’ll be sure to order something one day. Assuming you post to UK. I’ve been admiring the hive print
Mabel is a schnauzer/poodle mix. Isn’t she the cutest? Oh, and I do ship to the UK. :)
Absolutely the cutest. Will get my wish list sorted! Thanks for the Lullatone music link. Perked up the remaining hours of my work day no end.
I LOVE your work, your photography and your blog – thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I’ve just move to the US from Australia and trying to figure out which direction I want to take my passion and education in design and although I’m swimming with ideas and still unsure, you’re a great inspiration!
Creative juice is infectious!
Thanks so much Lucy, and welcome to the US! :)
oooh, pinning this to try later. looks great.
This is such a great idea! I’m trying it out soon. Thank you:)
I love this idea! What exactly did your quote say??
My quote says: “We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.” ― Dr. Seuss
Love your idea! You’re right $150 is steep for a pillow, although I seem to remember Carrie Bradshaw owning a $300 pillow. haha Nice job and thanks for sharing! Totally want to do one of my own now!
I love it!! I’ve included in my proposals for San Valentin.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for this, i made one for my son, for his birthday/first rental home. I did mine on calico and instead of using pencil lines (cause wasn’t game to see if they would rub out on calico), I cut a 2cm strip of masking tape and used it as my guide line. I would like to post it on my blog and link to your blog, if you’re ok with that? I plan to make some more, might play around with the fonts too. One very cool idea!
This is wonderful. I like yours better than the Vivaterra version, personally. Thanks for posting this DIY. :)
Hey! I love this idea, but i was wondering if you wrote directly on the pillow or if the cover came off your pillow for you to write on it?
I purchased just a pillow cover to stencil on. I later purchased a pillow form from the fabric store to stuff the pillow cover with.
Love that pillow…but can’t find the Sharpie fabric pen??
Have been to JoAnns, Michaels and Craft and Stuff..Where did you get yours and do you think it will work on burlap?
Thanks!!!
I found my Sharpie fabric pen at Office Depot, and they also have them on amazon.com. I don’t know if they will work on burlap or not, but it’s worth a try!
Can you wash the pillow cover or will the ink run?
Since it’s a fabric marker it should be washable. I would iron it to heat set it first, just to be safe.
I made one for my girlfriend for Valentine’s day. Thanks for your post/advice!
Time-lapse video of me making it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgzz-b9FeIo
It looks awesome! I love the video!
They make a marking marker that you can pick up at the fabric section of a hobby/craft shop. The one I have makes a purple line, but will fade after a wash. I think I’ll try that when I do one. Thanks for the idea!!!