Dog Silhouette Pillow How-To & a Little Confession
I guess this is the part when I should make a confession. I’ve got lots of quirks. Thankfully, I don’t have the time or backbone to list them all out for you right now. But I will tell you one of them as a little background for this project. Ready? Here it is: I’m not a dog person.There. I said it. And before I get lots of flack from the dog-loving population, let me explain. I’m really more of a faux dog person. It’s not that I have anything against dogs. In fact, I think they’re adorable, sweet, & loyal. And I know there are dogs out there that are nicer than most people. No, it’s not that I don’t like dogs. I just don’t want one in the family. I know. I’m a terrible mom. My kids beg ’til they’re blue in the face, but I just can’t do it. And the real bottom-line reason is that I’m too lazy to have one more “child” to clean up after & take care of & take to the doctor & so on & so on. And I know I’m also afraid of getting attached. We’d fall in love with it. And then we’d all be heartbroken if something happened to the dog. And then the kids would be scarred for life. See? It’s just better this way.But, the irony of it all is that I’m a sucker for dog decor. I can’t resist a doggy on a pillow or a coffee cup or a painting of a poodle. I know. Quirky.So, of course I was gaga when I received Restoration Hardware’s Baby & Child catalog recently & saw their dog pillows. (By the way, if you haven’t seen the catalog, check it out online here. It’s full of great inspiration!)Aren’t they adorable? And (sorry Restoration Hardware), just too easy to replicate.Here’s my version:Want one for yourself? Here’s a super-simple how-to.I thought the perfect fabric for these pillows would be a man’s shirt. (Did you see what I made last time I raided my husband’s closet?)I found a nice blue striped one for a great deal at Goodwill. I just washed & dried it, then measured out the size of my pillow insert & cut the shirt.The back of the shirt became the top of the pillow. To add the doggy to that piece, I simply printed out a silhouette from the internet, cut out the pattern in black felt, & followed the instructions for Heat N Bond to appliqué it onto the pillow top.For added detail, I added a ribbon collar & an ear, also adhered with the Heat N Bond.Once the doggy was on, I just placed the pillow pieces right sides together & sewed around all 4 sides. This could possibly be the easiest pillow ever. You could use this method for all kinds of pillows!Then, I unbuttoned the back, turned it inside out & pressed with an iron. Lastly, I inserted the pillow, buttoned it back up & it was done!I love how the back turned out, too, with a cute little pocket still intact.I made 2 of them & they are just right on my craft room window seat. (You can see more about that here.)These would be sooooo cute in a little boy’s room as well. And they’d make great gifts for real dog-people or faux dog-people like myself.Funny thing was, when Lola & I were admiring the new pillows & taking a few pics, we noticed this little guy peeking in at us, wondering what we were up to. I couldn’t help but think he’d be so cute on a pillow.Did I ever mention I’m a faux cat person? Sharing these pillows at a few of these parties. Check them out!
Jenni
October 17, 2011 @ 4:58 pm
Those are so cute! And I love how you used a button up shirt for the back of the pillow, too~ this makes for such a simple removeable pillow! This is one of the loveliest pillow ideas I've seen! 🙂
{Oh, and I am a faux dog person, too!} 😉
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Jenni
Cath
October 17, 2011 @ 5:00 pm
Julie, these are so cute and clever using the button dress shirt. I think we have a stash of them and I have an Aunt who is a weiner dog person, she'd really enjoy one.
And about your decision not to have a do, I won't bash you one bit. I am a dog person, always had dogs growing up and still have 2 large labs. Your reasons for not having a dog are well founded. Too many dogs (and cats) end up in in shelters or tossed out to fend for themselves. KUDOS to you for knowing that you are not ready for a dog right now. (maybe in the future ;), a girl can hope)
NanaDiana
October 17, 2011 @ 5:09 pm
How cute! Great idea about the shirt. I have always loved men's shirts for projects. I have even used them for doll clothes.
Love your doggy pillows…and I am not a dog person either…I get hate mail all the time~ xo Diana
sissie
October 17, 2011 @ 5:16 pm
The doggie pillows are adorable and why not go ahead and make one with a kittie too.
Love the idea of using a man's shirt.
hugs
Sissie
Renewed Upon a Dream
October 17, 2011 @ 5:52 pm
Ha! I'm a dog person, we have one. But we don't have kids, so it evens out 🙂 I love your pillows, they look amazing!
Coley
October 17, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
These looks so great! Love the clever idea of using a shirt.
Claire
October 17, 2011 @ 9:50 pm
That's a fantastic idea with the mans shirt! I hate sewing in zips, so it's ideal for me. I'm more of a cat person, I don't have one, but I like the idea of them.
Amy of The Salvage Collection
October 18, 2011 @ 12:15 am
wow…finally something i can make!! well, maybe if i can find someone that can sew the perimeter for me!
love the pillows and i want your craft room!! that bench is to die for!!
amy
❀❀❀Ðαωᾔ❀❀❀
October 18, 2011 @ 12:38 am
Girl you are to smart using the shirt the way you did. Great idea. Thanks for sharing:)
aimee
October 18, 2011 @ 11:50 am
I am in love with these cushions they are great. thanks for sharing
Nicole [The Lovely Poppy]
October 18, 2011 @ 12:20 pm
adorable!, i'm having a huge ($100) giveaway over at my blog and would love for you to stop by and check it out!! http://thelovelypoppy.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-follower-giveaway.html
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}
October 18, 2011 @ 2:54 pm
Faux cat person, too?! Had a good laugh on that one! Can't blame you with 4 kids. They are another child!! Love the pillows!!
Trude
October 18, 2011 @ 9:58 pm
They turned out SO stinkin' cute! Love the idea of the man's shirt. My bed is just calling out for pillows and something like this would be perfect. (And I don't blame you either, my dog has definitely been good practice for kids someday! 😉 )
Karen of Little Red House Designs
October 19, 2011 @ 4:55 pm
Is it possible for you to share where you located your 'perfect' lab image? I hope to be making this soon!!
Stitch a Wish Designs
October 20, 2011 @ 1:15 am
SO clever!! I am making pillows all the time and this is awesome! Great job!!!
Desiree @ The 36th Avenue
October 20, 2011 @ 1:20 am
One word for you: STICKER!
J's mom
October 20, 2011 @ 1:55 am
Love it! Please post this, and anything else you may have,in my link party at
http://diycraftstomake.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Peggy
Pam
October 20, 2011 @ 7:38 am
You've done a great job on the pillows!!! I love the way you've used a shirt and made the buttons the pillow opening; very clever.
Karima
October 20, 2011 @ 8:38 am
Wow – I really love how great these look and how easy to make! Newest gfc follower, Karima
http://www.karimascrafts.com
Twin-rific
October 20, 2011 @ 11:53 am
So cute! I love how you used the buttons for your opening. Genius!
Jenny @ Simcoe Street
October 21, 2011 @ 9:23 am
This looks great! Love it!
Jenny
http://www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
Jennifer Hayes
October 21, 2011 @ 12:34 pm
So stinkin' cute! I featured you today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites!
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2011/10/friday-im-in-love-fun-home-finds.html
– Jenn @ Social Salutations
Carmen
October 21, 2011 @ 8:06 pm
This is adorable! I especially love the winnie dog pillow…reminds me of our dog Sophie. Would love it if you would link this up to our Rockin' link party going on now at RoCa and Company. Here is the link: http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/2011/10/you-rock-6.html. Come and show off what you got. Hope to see you there…
Remember…YOU ROCK!!
Carmen @ RoCa and Company
http://www.rocaandcompany.blogspot.com
Ann
October 21, 2011 @ 11:58 pm
As a black lab mommy, I can't resist looking at anything with a lab on it. This is adorable. And, sew easy! Thanks for sharing
Robin
October 22, 2011 @ 2:29 am
Oh! My! How adorable! I love them.
Hartwood Roses
October 23, 2011 @ 11:22 am
I am SO raiding the closet to see what shirts I have that I can make into pillows. Using the front of the shirt as the back of the pillow is GENIUS.
If you aren't a dog person, that's okay. I gotta tell ya … Dogs are way easier than kids! I got my first one when I was 28 and my kids were little. It was an adopted adult dog (no puppies here) My kids had no say in the decision … he was MINE. I'm in my 50s now, the kids are grown and all but one of them are on their own, and I will always have a dog … MY dog.
yourmoroccotour
October 25, 2011 @ 4:56 am
Hi friends,
So cute! I love how you used the buttons for your opening. Genius!
Morocco Tours
Desiree @ The 36th Avenue
October 29, 2011 @ 4:42 am
I am stopping by to let you know that I'll be featuring your pillows tomorrow on my blog… I hope to see you there!
Beth
October 29, 2011 @ 7:11 pm
These pillows are absolutely adorable!! And the fact you made them from your husband's shirts is genius! I am definitely pinning these and making some soon. I will be doing a PUG silhouette for my daughter's room!
Andrea
November 8, 2011 @ 5:46 pm
Ingenious! I love the idea of using a man's shirt! Thank you so much for this idea:)
Melinda
November 8, 2011 @ 7:21 pm
Love these pillows, I need to make one with a Westie Dog!
Karen of Little Red House Designs
December 5, 2011 @ 11:59 am
Thank you – I was able to post my pillow today! Check it out: http://littleredhousedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/decor-black-lab-silhouette-pillow.html
Karen of Little Red House Designs
December 5, 2011 @ 11:59 am
Thank you !! I was able to post my pillow today. Check it out: http://littleredhousedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/decor-black-lab-silhouette-pillow.html
lisa
December 5, 2021 @ 5:43 pm
That was so awesome and yes everyone should learn from our dogs to be unconditional. This remembered of my dog too.Lovely post.dog bed wholesale