the thrifty crafter

I found a pretty, though maybe slightly garish, vintage print fabric while perusing my local Salvation Army one day.  While I always thought the material would create nice decorative throw pillows for either indoor or outdoor use,  using the underside of the print, à la classic Reyn Spooner Hawaiian shirts, gives it a whole different feel. Here’s a super easy and inexpensive way to add some vintage style to your home decor.

Here’s what you need:

• two 14-inch square pillow inserts
• about a yard of vintage print fabric
• ruler & scissors
• pen
• sewing machine & thread

Here’s what you do:

1. Cut two 15 x 15 inch squares from your fabric
2. Cut two 15 x 18 inch rectangles from your fabric
3. Cut each 15 x 18 inch rectangle in half to create two pieces measuring 15 x 9.
4. Fold over one long edge of the 15 x 9 piece twice and pin to create 1/4 inch seam.  Sew.

   

5. With underside facing in, pin pieces together, starting at the edges.  The two 15 x 9 pieces should overlap and the sewn edges should be pointed in to create the envelope opening.
6. Sew the two squares together, starting with the edges that parallel the opening.

   

7. Finish edges (optional) and turn out.  Insert pillow form and fluff. Picture below shows finished backside where pillow is inserted (right).

Tips: I purchased my pillow forms from Joann’s on a buy-one-get-one-free sale for $4.49 each.  The fabric was a whopping $1 from the Salvation Army.

Cost: $10 for two unique pillows!

Need a simple way to freshen up your wall decor?  Before you get rid of what you have and go out and buy all new stuff,  try this simple craft to give new life to the existing artwork.  Using textural fabric, re-cover an existing mat to add dimension and interest.  Not only do you save money by not purchasing a new mat, but you get to re-use what you already have and cut down on consumer waste!

Here’s what you need:

• textured fabric
• old picture mat
• hot glue gun
• scissors

Here’s what you do:

1.  Iron your fabric.

2.  Place existing mat on top of fabric, leaving a 1-2 inch border of fabric around mat.  Cut.

3.  Cut a window in the fabric to match that of the mat, again leaving a 1-2 inch border.

4.  Miter the corners of the fabric.  Trim any excess away.

5.  Starting on one side, fold fabric over outside edge of mat and secure with hot glue.  Pull fabric taut, and glue down inside edge.  Repeat this for all sides.

6. Place newly covered mat in picture frame with picture, hang and enjoy!

Tips: I purchased my nubby cotton fabric in the remnants section at Joann’s for 50% off.  The black mat I had in storage and almost threw away, until I figured I could re-use it somehow, instead of buying a new mat.  Finally, the frame was purchased at Aaron Brothers with a 40% off coupon – always check their website before heading to the store – there is usually a coupon there!