Easy DIY Welcome Pillow (Fall Into the Holidays, Week 2)
It’s week two of our Fall Into the Holidays series, and one week closer to all the busyness that the holidays bring! In case you missed it, I joined several blogging friends last week to bring you ideas from the kitchen on how to get a jump on prepping for the season! Click here for that post and links to all the others!
This week, we’re talking bedrooms and sharing tips for getting them ready! I’m sharing a project for the guest room, because many of us will be hosting family and friends at some point, and the goal is always to make them feel welcome, right?
So, whether you have a designated guest room, or a kid’s room or spare room that houses your guests, this “welcome” pillow makes just the right statement! And it’s so easy, anyone can do it!!
It’s been way too long since I shared one of my all-time favorite techniques for word decor: freezer paper stenciling! So, I’m sharing a little refresher, which, of course, has limitless possibilities!
For this particular project, I used a simple welcome stencil, which you can download here, and print to your desired size.
(This post contains affiliate links which help to support this blog.)
You will also need the following items:
*an Xacto knife
*a cutting mat or cutting board
*tape
*a pre-made pillow cover or fabric with which to make your pillow
*an iron
*craft paint and a small paintbrush
To create the stencil, simply tape your freezer paper (glossy side down) over your pattern to keep it firmly in place.
Then, with your surface protected by a cutting mat or cutting board, use an x-acto knife to carefully cut through the freezer paper. Remember, you are making a stencil, so preserve the centers of the letters and all “white space” while cutting.
After cutting, you’re ready to position the stencil onto your fabric or pre-made pillow! I used a piece of basic canvas drop cloth to make a simple pillow sleeve for a pillow I already had. If you’d like simple instructions for sewing a zippered pillow cover, see my how-to here!
Once the stencil is in place where you want it, carefully iron over it to adhere it to the fabric. Do not use steam when ironing. And don’t forget to add letter centers you carefully cut before.
It’s very important to make sure all the edges of the paper have been securely adhered to the fabric.
Next, take a small paintbrush, along with the craft paint of your choice, and gently paint over the stencil! Be careful not to use too much paint so it doesn’t leak underneath the stencil.
Once that’s done, let it dry, then gently peel off the stencil!
Did I mention how fun this is??
Since I just made a simple pillow sleeve, I just had to sew the ends together and it was done!
It’s such a simple way to add a thoughtful and inviting touch for your guests.
And I can’t even begin to count the ways this can be customized! I’ve already been planning for more of these coming soon!
And don’t forget to stop by to see all these great bloggers’ ideas for prepping bedrooms this week!
October 31, 2017 @ 10:06 am
What a perfect way to welcome guests to your home!!! Love that you can switch it out with different designs!
October 31, 2017 @ 10:22 am
Thanks! Yes–so simple to do that!
October 31, 2017 @ 10:53 am
OMG this is awesome!! and since I don’t have the stylish hand to write the ‘welcome’ thank you for providing. Hope to do this soon!
October 31, 2017 @ 2:25 pm
Yay! So glad you like it 🙂
October 31, 2017 @ 2:24 pm
Oh I forgot about freezer paper stenciling! I did it years ago and loved how ironing on the paper keeps the paint from seeping under. Your pillow came out so great Julie! Such a cute idea for a guest room. I am totally following suite 🙂 Great project before the holidays!
October 31, 2017 @ 2:27 pm
I know! I forgot how fun it is, too! So glad you like it!
October 31, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
So fun Julie! You’re so right, it’s perfect when kiddos’ rooms are turned into guest rooms over the holidays!
October 31, 2017 @ 4:38 pm
yes! it would be so simple to just add the pillow to match the decor. 🙂
October 31, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
Julie, your simple, creative ideas never cease to amaze me! Love the freezer paper trick, it works great! And, the idea of making an interchangeable sleeve for a pillow…brilliant!
November 1, 2017 @ 1:06 pm
So glad you like it! You’re so sweet and extremely talented yourself 🙂
November 1, 2017 @ 9:06 am
Love this idea! You are so creative. Such a pretty space.
November 1, 2017 @ 1:04 pm
Thanks so much! 🙂
November 1, 2017 @ 10:57 am
What a cute idea! Love it!
November 1, 2017 @ 1:03 pm
Thank you, Denise!!
November 1, 2017 @ 11:59 am
Ok, this is an awesome idea! I LOVE how it was a pillow sleeve instead- I was waiting for the moment when I decided I couldn’t do it and have to sew another pillow;) haha! Love it.
November 1, 2017 @ 1:03 pm
I’m there myself! But I decided I could do a sleeve 🙂