How is everyone’s week going so far? Are the kids in school yet or are you still enjoying one last vacation? Thankfully our summers last through September so we are out enjoying the beautiful Northwest as much as we can. Gotta enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, right?
I finally brought my sewing machine out of hiding last week and used it to make this vintage-inspire Decorative Bird Cage Pillow! I am loving how it looks in my family room (I thought I was getting close to the reveal but I keep saying to myself, ‘one more thing, one more thing’).
For this project I used Samantha’s Vintage White Cotton Fabric and Bird Cage Silhouette Graphic to create this vintage-inspired decorative pillow. Pillows are such a great way to tie a room together and add dimension to a space.
The Vintage White Fabric is gorgeous and the graphic is something I’ve had my eye on for a long time. I was thrilled to see it was part of Samantha’s collection.
Supplies Needed For This Project:
- 1 Yard Samantha Walker Vintage White Fabric
- Samantha Walker Bird Cage Print/Cut Silhouette Graphic
- Heat Transfer Paper and Iron
- 1 Bag Pillow Stuffing or Pillow Form
- Sewing Machine/Serger/Thread/Pins, etc.
Now, are you ready?
Import the graphic into a new Silhouette project and size it to 10.5 X 5.5 “. Next, using the paint tool fill the graphic with gray (4th color on the top row).
Because we are going to iron-on the image, we’ll need to flip the image so it prints backwards. To do this, go to the ‘Replicate’ tab and choose ‘Mirror Right’. Then delete your original graphic since you won’t need it anymore.
Choose the ‘Print’ option and print the graphic onto heat transfer paper using an ink jet printer.
Place the paper face down on your fabric.
*Note: In general, when transferring images you’ll want to trim the excess paper around the image before ironing it onto the surface because it leaves a clear layer wherever the paper touches. But since we are going to cover the outside edges with fabric, I chose to leave it.
Press the iron firmly on top of paper and iron until you start to see the image through the paper. Make sure you iron over the whole image and get all the edges.
Let the paper cool for a few seconds and then slowly peel it back. If you come across an area that didn’t transfer very well, put the paper back in place and iron the spot again.
Once you transfer the image, trim the fabric to your desired pillow size. My pillow is 15X16″.
Using the left over fabric, cut two additional pieces at 15X16″. One will be used as your ‘Window’ and the other will be for the back of the pillow.
Take one of the 15X16″ pieces and cut out a 6″X11″ window (if you are using my measurements).
Place the window piece directly on top of the graphic and pin.
Top-stich around the window using a contrasting thread color and leaving a 1/4″ seam. I left the edges raw because I love giving my projects a little rustic flair.
Take the remaining 15X16″ piece of Vintage White Fabric and pin it to the other piece, with right sides together.
Sew (or serge) around the edges, leaving a 3-4″ opening on one side. I prefer to leave the opening on the bottom of the pillow so the finishing seam is less visible.
Stuff the pillow with pillow stuffing (or use a pillow form) then close your opening using either a top-stich on the sewing machine or by hand.
And now you have a chic vintage inspired decorative pillow! I’m thinking it might need a little buddy so be on the look out for some more pillow posts in the near future! (Basket is from World Market)
The post was originally posted on the Samantha Walker Blog here. I was contacted by the designer, Samantha Walker, and was asked to make a craft using her new fabric line and Silhouette designs. Samantha designs beautiful fabric for Riley Blake Designs and has is a very talented graphic artist. I’m in love with all of her Silhouette dies, they are so inspiring and the more I looked through her collection the more projects were being added to my ‘to-do’ list :)
Linking to some of the parties here along with Today’s Creative Blog, TipJunkie, Home Stories A 2 Z, Funky Junk Interiors, The Shabby Nest, My Repurposed Life, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Thrifty Decor Chick
I love how this turned out, Taryn!
Mary Beth @Cupcakes and Crinoline recently posted..5 Minute Refrigerator Pickles and Why Shopping Alone is Better {sometimes}
Adorable, Taryn! Love that basket too!
Roeshel recently posted..How to Make a Headboard Door Pediment
Taryn,
I love this pillow…and that storage basket is fabulous, too!
Kari-Ucreate recently posted..Brimmed Beanie Hat Tutorial by I Am Momma Hear Me Roar
What an adorable pillow!
Lisa recently posted..Applesauce Raisin Pound Cake
I just wandering, what kind of paper did you use? If you use an ordinary paper, I think the print image will not be transfer to the pillow.
Ira Morse recently posted..DESIGN SPOTLIGHTS: FLEXIBLE FOLDING CHAIR
OM-Gosh.. These are the cutest.. I have this birdcage pillow on my future to-do list. :) Have a nice weekend!
hani@craftionary recently posted..Friday Fun Party and Features {23/8}
This pillow with the birdcage transfer turned out really nicely, Taryn. I like the helpful tutorial that took me step by step through the process.
So pretty! This seems like a perfect weekend project.
Nichole recently posted..No Sew Moby Wrap Tutorial
So pretty!
Anne recently posted..I simply do not have enough possessions!
Lovely I will follow on FB on the way out.
carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..Date and Walnut Loaf But Not the Original Marriage Post I was going to Bring You
So gorgeous!!! Love how it turned out and it looks really simple and chic. Hope you have a wonderful weekend:)
I am so drawn to birdcages at the moment. This is gorgeous!! I don’t have a Silhouette but Im seriously considering it after seeing this beaut! Well done :-)
This came out really pretty! I love the graphic you picked!
Oh that’s lovely, I want one!
Mel recently posted..The Best Birth Control Ever..
What a beautiful pillow! I love the birdcage design, and love the gray with the white! Beautiful!
Maria recently posted..Vintage Button Heart Pillow
what a sweet pillow! I love how it turned out, and you did a great tutorial.
gail
gail recently posted..Recent Signs {getting ready for Glendale 2012}
I love this pillow! I’ve never tried this, but it looks like I need to! Awesome! I’d love for you to share this at my linky party, Twirl & Take a Bow at http://www.houseontheway.com. Hope you can stop by!
Thanks,
Leslie
Leslie Stewart recently posted..Window Shopping Wednesday! IKEA Style!!
Taryn,
I am featuring you tomorrow… AGAIN!
Love the pillow ;)
I love it! The design is so pretty :)
Britni recently posted..Throwback Thursday No. 8
Looks very professional! Your tutorial makes me think I should buy stock in iron on transfer paper. So many good uses for that stuff.
We’d love to have you participate in our new Eat Make Grow blog hop:
http://foyupdate.blogspot.com/search?q=eat+make+grow&max-results=20&by-date=true
We are always looking for bloggers with great content!
Foy
Oh I really have to get my hands on one of those machines. Awesome!!!
Gina recently posted..Banana Cream Pie Frozen Yogurt
So cute! I love how soft the grey looks, much better than a stark black. :)
Britt Bass recently posted..PLEASE HELP (me win a Fiskars FUSE)!!
SO cute!! I love it. I have that same vinyl, so I may just have to copycat you :)
I’ve pinned!