I have had a heck of a time finding coral colored pillows or fabric locally that a)didn’t cost an arm and a leg or b) was the right side of coral. I checked online and couldn’t find anything that I loved enough to order. Since I was only wanting one coral pillow I decided to scour my three local Goodwill Stores in search of a coral article of clothing I could transform into a pillow.
Enter an old lady coral blouse from Christopher & Banks found on the rack at Goodwill for $4.29. It was a little spendy but it was the perfect color and my search could now be over.
1. I first cut up the sides of the blouse which left me with the buttoned front. This was perfect because I wouldn’t have to add a zipper or some other form of closure. So I cut out two 18” x 20” rectangles (one from the front and one from the back of the shirt) making sure the buttons were centered in the middle when I cut it out of the front of the shirt.
2. Then using the leftover scraps from the arms I made some piping with my zipper foot. I think piping gives a pillow such a tailored look. I sewed that onto the edge of the front piece.
3. Then I pinned the front and back right sides together and used my zipper foot as a guide around the piping to sew it closed.
4. After clipping the edges I just unbuttoned the buttons in the front and turned it right side out and slid my pillow form in.
Tip: You can usually find cheap bed pillows on sale for $5. I will buy those and cut them down to create pillow forms. It is way cheaper than buying pillow forms at a fabric shop.
It was a little tricky working with such a light and flowy material but I love the way it turned out and it added a little pop of color to the bedding that I was looking for. I also found 2 pillow cases in the same shade of color at Goodwill for $2 and put them behind the shams. Even though they don’t match the white bed sheets they look great on the bed and I am okay with it.
You can also see the gray ruffle pillows on the bed that I dyed here.
The molding on the wall is such a great backdrop for the coral and gray color palette. So far I am super happy with the way it is turning out. Are you crushing on coral and gray like I am? To see more coral and gray inspiration check out my Pinterest board.
So the bed is complete here is what else is on my punch list…
1. Hang curtain rod and find curtains for the room.
2. Get a lamp
3. Find a coral throw to go over a chair in the room
4. Find a long wood dresser for the room
5. Replace the headboard either with a wood one or upholstered one.
6. Decorate the walls
7. Find a few small accessories for the nightstand and table
I’m so ‘last season’ and still loving the gray/yellow combo. That being said…I am on board with gray and [insert any color here]. And I love the look of pillows on the bed…but I’m an admitted non-bed maker. I should just make pretty ones and nail them to the wall as art. I think that’s my next project…!!!
Jamie
It’s just perfect! So much better than the blouse it once was. You utilized the buttons really well and it’s an adorable little size. (I just ordered/made coral window treatments for my mom, and you’re right, it’s difficult finding the right shade!
I feel ya on the coral! I wanted coral accents for my living room and could not find them anywhere. Good call on the Goodwill. Your pillow looks amazing!
Yay i am not the only one. Maybe we are trend setters 😉
I am curious..what fabric did you use?
Okay best comment of the week. You cracked me up. I am a non-bed maker too. But for a guest room when the bed is usually made since we don’t have a ton of guests I gotta have pillows right? 😉
beckie-love your new “old lady” pillow! hahaha Nah, seriously, you did a great job. The coral looks great with your dyed pillows.
gail
Infarrantly GENIUS!!
That is funny because it totally looks like something I stole from my mom’s closet.
Now THAT is clever and beautiful!
Extremely well done. High five!
That a great idea to use the shirt. It made such a pretty pillow. I just bought new bed pillows our bed and saved our old pillows to cut down and use as throw pillow inserts. I hate to just toss them. Sometimes I’ll use them to fluff up the dog bed!
Love the new pillow! I would have never thought to look at a shirt for fabric for a pillow. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Who would of thought that the shirt could have been turned into the lovely pillow! For it being only $4.00 that really isn’t too bad for a pillow. I do love your color combo, the gray and coral, very lovely altogether! Thanks for the post:)
what a clever idea and perfect way to recycle.
What a clever idea and perfect way to recycle
Clever, clever, clever! I love this shade. Glad you found something and did not have to compromise.
Beckie, do you use string or what do you use to make your home make your homemade piping?? I would love to know… I have problems all the time with homemade piping… thanks!
Cathy B pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
palmbreezeliving dot blogspot dot com
Super idea! My husband and I LOVE going to thrift stores and now you gave me the idea of looking for blouses or mens shirts to use as fabric for making pillows! Never thought of it! Love it! Thanks! I look forward to checking back to see some of your latest projects.
Thanks for stopping by Monica. Yah there are plenty of shirts that are ugly shirts but make great pillows.