{ DIY } New Throw Pillow Covers

A couple weekends ago, I got an artistic itch. You know the kind…when you wake up with that need to create. Like when your brain is so over-stimulated by all the beauty around you, that you feel inspired to transform your personal space to reflect that beauty.

Perhaps it was the sun shining into my bedroom window- it’s rays hinting at spring. Suddenly I felt the desire to incorporate some new color into my otherwise completely neutral living room decor. I bolted out of bed, knowing instictively what I needed. New throw pillows! Duh. I’ve always said they’re the easiest, most affordable way to create a new look in any decor setting.

But apparently I hadn’t shopped for throw pillows in a while because when I finally found some pretty duck-egg blue ones, I nearly collapsed of sticker shock. $70 EACH?! And those weren’t even the expensive ones! When did a couple squares of fabric, sewn together, become so pricey? This just wouldn’t do.

Still armed with my inspired itch, I hopped in my car, en route to my favorite space in all of L.A.- Mood Fabrics. One foot in that door always invigorates me- with it’s wall to wall, floor to ceiling stock of beautiful textiles, from brushed velvet to brocades, from sateens to chenilles. Heaven. On. Earth.

I made a beeline for the upholstery scrap bin. The scrap bin is where savvy craftistas like us can find find discontinued samples for a third or less of the retail price per yard. My mind was set on duck egg blue, and in no time, I’d located a lovely designer piece with enough fabric for two pillows, plus some to spare…for $5!!! I also discovered a complimentary striped piece, from the very same designer, perfect for contrasting sides, for just $10. A couple of ivory invisible zippers, an invisible zipper foot attachment, and I was set to go. Price out the door- about $20.

Making my new throw pillows was a snap. First, I cut my squares (16″ x 16″). Then, using this tutorial, I sewed in my invisible zipper to the right-facing sides of both fabric pieces. For the next step, I pinned the remaining three sides of my squares (right sides facing in again). Then, (making sure the zipper was partially unzipped, I sewed each side together closing off the square. For crisp, clean corners, I then snipped, the excess fabric around each corner, and inverted the square through the open zipper. Finally, I stuffed each pillow cover with a 16″ down-filled pillow insert (that I already had from West Elm- theirs are the best value), zipped it shut and tossed it onto the couch. That’s it! In less than an hour, and I had 2 brand new, designer pillows, for under $10 each.

A price like this totally justifies any decorating whims that may tickle my fancy (and as any trend-obsessed decorator/Fab Housewife knows, those whims happen a lot). Making your own toss pillows from discount fabric is a great way to try out new trends, to decorate for the holidays, or to just switch it up with the changing seasons. Just use the same pillow inserts, and you’ll stay in budget!

So, what do you think of my new spring pillows? Okay, so I admit, I wasn’t exactly the bravest when it came to adding more color, but it’s a step in the right direction, no?