Pillows, Pillows, Pillows

I'm not a frilly person but I do love pillows... the problem is they're extremely expensive over here, so I'm weary of buying what I need sometimes.  I guess you can say I'm always waiting for the sale that never happens (smile).  For the past year I've been meaning to look for some colorful pillows to go on my bed.  The pillows that came with my comforter set were ok, but I wanted just a little more color.

BEFORE

Oh, I forgot to mention I hate sewing...which explains why I haven't been looking for fabric to make pillows.

But then it dawned on me, after I made my no sew chest cover, that I could do pillows the same way (boy am I slow), but I didn't want to buy any fabric because my vacation is coming up plus I'm saving for Christmas, blah, blah, blah...if I don't have to spend money, I don't want to.  So I went digging through my junk drawer (yes, I have one of those) and I came across my shower curtain I had taken down a few months ago, ummm I wonder....

SHOWER CURTAIN

I also had 5 old pillows that were thrown around

OLD PILLOWS

After gathering everything together I measured my pillows and started cutting my shower curtain to fit my pillows. I allowed  approximately 1/2 inch for seams (you can always add more if you want more slack)  

Once I finished cutting my fabric I folded it right side together and added fabric glue along the seams - note:  leave the top portion open, it should look like a pillow case.

It takes awhile for the glue to bond really well so I just let it sit overnight.  The next day I turned the fabric inside out and slid in my pillows.  How easy is that (smile).

Once the pillow is tucked in good, I turned down the top seams, and added glue to adhere it.  I then used straight pins to secure the fabric, and that's it!  Once the glue is dry you can remove the pins.

Let's see fabric $0.00;  pillows $0.00; total cost for 5 pillows $0.00.

If you want something a little more decorative or jazzy, you can always add lace, ruffles, etc.  but like I said earlier, I'm not a frilly person. 

 

 I like the soft, muted color variation

So, if you have a shower curtain laying around just LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW!

Pillows

It's amazing how pillows can transform your furniture/your room.  My intentions were to have my furniture, in my family room, upholstered.  The blue was looking a bit dull and because I had recently completed my tables click here to read I wanted to give my furniture a facelift.

I checked with various upholsterers and I was given an average cost of $350 for a sofa and 2 chairs. They also confirmed I would need approximately 25 yards of fabric (assuming no stripes or patterns).  I figured $350 for upholstery and $150 for fabric ($6 per yd); $500 wasn't a bad price, perhaps I could get them to throw in a throw pillow or two.   

I happily rushed to the store to get my fabric, I'm usually impatient so I was anxious to get my room together and move on to my next project.  Now, I'm not a mathematician, but I know $12.99 x 25 = more than $150... so, after walking around in circles for a few minutes it hit me that was the lowest price they had  and the only word I can use to describe that fabric is UGLY.

The best part about being thrifty is contingencies.  There's always a contingency, and after one week of total depression I came up with a solution.  Pillows.  Every home magazine has been showing off pillows - big pillows, round pillows, decorative pillows, fancy pillows, striped pillows, plain pillows...

So, for less than a $100 I purchased my pillows and gave my furniture the facelift it needed.  Maybe next year I'll look for slipcovers!

 So, the next time you're running short on cash just look for a contingency and LET YOUR CREATIVITY FLOW!