The Trick To Making The Easiest Throw Pillow Covers Ever

I was provided product by DecoArt and compensated to write about this project, but all thoughts, opinions, and ideas are my own :)

I'm bringing it back to my roots with this project, and it feels so good! It's so easy to hop onto Amazon, buy something, and have it delivered two days later (sometimes that same day!). But, you know what feels even better? Making it on your own! I have had these pillows (not just from Amazon but varying sources) on my wish list for awhile now. I had them sitting in my cart, waiting to buy them, knowing full well I could make them for soooo much cheaper. Well, I finally did it, and I'm so happy with the results! The best part? They were made using upcycled button down shirts! This project would be close to free if you already have some in your closet. I don't know about you, but that's always the best! Plus, making them with shirts cuts out like 75% of the steps on how you would normally make a cover! 

Of course, once you make the covers, you need to decorate them! I used DecoArt's SoSoft Frabric Acrylics in Lamp Black, Antique Gold, and Brown. 

Before you start, make sure that the shirts are washed, not using any softeners. Once they are dried, iron them. I used two different styles of button down shirts, long sleeve and short sleeve. They both work. My only recommendation when picking out the shirt is to make sure they are a men's XL or XXL. That will give you the max amount of fabric to work with without having to cut into the armpits :) 

Cut out a piece of cardboard at 19"x 19". This will be for a 18"x18" pillow cover. If you want bigger, then add your needed inches. I usually put a 20"x20" insert into a 18" pillow cover so it fills it out nice and plump! Turn the shirt inside out and lay on a flat surface, button side up. Place the cardboard directly in the middle of the shirt, trying to line up the buttons in the middle of the cardboard. Trace with a pen or fabric marker.

 Remove the cardboard and carefully pin in place, making sure to keep all wrinkles out of both top and bottom layers. 

 Next, sew the square! Make sure the hem is about 1/2" in around the entire piece. 

 When you are done, turn it inside out! Now you have the closure on the back with the buttons. Genius, right?! Easiest pillow cover ever! 

 Now it's time to add some paint! To protect the backside of the pillow, place a 18"x18" piece of cardboard into the pillow cover. 

Now for the three paint tutorials: 

Decorative Lined Pillow Cover Tutorial

For the first pillow, I lined up another piece of cardboard along the front, making sure it was equidistant from the bottom edge. I went with a hand drawn look on this one. Using the SoSoft Lamp Black and a small tipped paint brush, I painted a line down the middle of the cover. I used the cardboard as a guide to keep it straight. 

 On this first line, I just added little leaves along it. 

 I then added more lines about 2.5" apart, adding different decorative lines. 

 When I got to the 2nd to the last line on one side, I switched colors to the SoSoft Antique Gold and added the little circle leaves in the opposite direction. I like doing this just to shake things up a little bit :)

 And there it is! 

Faux Leather Pillow Cover Tutorial

 Now for the second design. This was the easiest out of the three. I measured up 10.5" on both sides of the front of the cover and placed some painters tape to make a line. 

 I then painted the bottom portion of the pillow cover SoSoft Brown. When this was fully dried, I pulled it off of the cardboard, and then added another coat of the SoSoft Brown. The paint will want to stick to the cardboard, so that's why I did this. You can also use some foil over the cardboard to prevent this :) 

Once the second coat is dry, take out the cardboard and feel the amazing results! Serious. It's a pretty good looking faux leather. I was so pleased! I'll be making more of these for sure!

Arrow Pillow Cover Tutorial

 Now for the last design. This one requires a little more measuring, but I tried to make it easy for you :) Measure 4" in from each side and place a piece of painters tape along those marks.

 Grab an 18" piece of cardboard and mark every 1.5". Line this up 2" in on your cover. Using a small tipped paint brush and the SoSoft Lamp Black, paint about 1" diagonal lines. 

 Remove the cardboard and paint the opposite diagonal lines. Do this on both left and right sides of the cover.

 Now place a piece of tape right down the middle. This will give you two more areas to work with, doing the same thing.

 Here's what it will look like.

I just love how all of these came together. But, seriously you guys, that brown one blew my mind. I could not believe how this wasn't hard at all. It has the best texture and is so soft (no pun intended).

The best thing about this, no heat-set is required and it's washable! Just turn it inside out and put it on the gentle cycle, and dry on low heat. 

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Outdoor Dining Space Decor And Decorating Ideas

This post contains affiliate links.

Heya! It's about that time that I share with you the other side of my patio, since I shared with you my "living room" portion last week :) I actually used to love this side....you know, back in the day before my dog broke my farmhouse table. Yeah. I tried to fix it multiple times, but then it just got too bad and I decided to take it apart. It was hard being that it was the first huge piece of furniture that I built..and I was about 7 months pregnant with my first when I built it. Kind of sentimental. So tearing it down was hard, but I decided that I'll be using the scraps to build a console table for my entryway hall. Here's what it looked like in it's glory days :) You can see the whole post on it here: 

Privacy Curtains: Tutorial

Well, here's what it looked like before this makeover a couple of years ago...and pretty much what it ended up looking like just before the table broke. Not so awesome and not very welcoming. 

The privacy curtains were still there, but the rug was ruined. The chairs were replaced with a bench that broke from the weather. The table was never used besides something to cut wood on. So...yeah. To say the least...I never wanted to be in the area. Oh...and you see that little area by the fence? Those rocks and dirt? Now imagine a place full of dead weeds. That was an overpriced landscaping job that went bad and never got fixed. Then the fence was put up, and now it's pretty impossible (just pretty dang hard and expensive) to fix it now. So, I have lived with that ugly...ugly eyesore for too long. I decided that since I can't move 30 giant boulders, I'll just cover it up :) Yeah, I know...one of these days we will have to figure out that side of the yard, but until then, I don't have to stare at it! 

....because I built this wall! This planter wall was the best idea (besides the privacy screens) that I've every done to this patio. I wanted it to go all the way up, but didn't want to block our beautiful mountain views, so I decided to do a little more than half way and make a planter out of it. I'll be sharing the tutorial on how to make this soon! 

And since my table was ruined, I really wanted a new one that I could enjoy actually eating at. That other table was maybe used twice to eat on. For reals. I'm ashamed to say that, but I never had the right chairs to fit it just perfectly, and it just didn't appeal to me. It didn't help that I had to over look a garden of dead weeds...So, I replaced the table with this five piece patio set!

Patio table and chairs: Amazon

And you know what, we have eaten at this table more in the past month than we have on our inside table. Seriously! Every day for lunch and most of the times for dinner. I was eyeing this table on multiple online sites. I ultimately bought it from Amazon (link here). I have nothing but good things to say about it so far! It's held up....and most of all, it has yet to be blown away from our horrendous wind! That was my biggest fear. I didn't want a glass top, but knowing that this came with one that could come off sold me. I wasn't planning on using the glass because of said winds, but I decided to put the glass on just to protect the table. I was super concerned that it would fall down with a wind gust, but it has stayed on so far!

 The chairs only came with a bottom cushion. That being said, I was thankful it came with any at all. Most of the sets I looked at didn't have them. I decided to throw some outdoor throw pillows onto the back to add more cushion. These are from Home Goods. 

And since my rug was ruined. Which was such a bummer....I really loved that rug. I decided to go for a smaller rug this year, just in case. I wasn't spending $200+ on a rug that might last 2 years. So, instead I found this one for around $40 on Target (link).

Rug: Target

I realized soon after buying this patio set, that I actually loved lounging in it too, so I bought this cute little stool. I have plans to redo it, but for now it's acting as a plant stand...and a foot stool when needed. 

Metal Side Table/Stool: Similar   and Similar

 I decided to dress up my privacy screen with some macrame. I feel like you should decorate your outdoors just like your indoors. Make it come to life. I bought these two macrame pieces off of Amazon (link) and hung them from the posts. They have actually weathered really well so far! I don't know how many seasons they would last being out here, but for the past month or so, they have been good! ....with all the rain and crazy wind :)

Macrame Set: Amazon

One of my favorite parts of this whole makeover, and this planter wall...are the lights! 

 I had to put some on here...just had to! The best thing about these are that they are solar...not need to think about it or plug something in.

Solar String Lights: Amazon

 I love being out in this space day in and day out. The weather is getting hot (finally!), so it's the perfect place to sit and enjoy it. 

I still can't believe that this space...

 Used to look like this! I know... I know, this was like 3 years ago, but still! 

And I promise you the tutorial on this wall! It cost me around $100 to make, and is relatively easy! So, check back next week! :)

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 Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”