DIY: Silhouette Pillows

One of my best friends, Erin, is not only hosting me at her house in Martha’s Vineyard this weekend, but she and her “roommate” just got ENGAGED! I am so excited for her, and have wanted to show her my congratulations for a while. This fun present idea is an easy DIY for anyone who has both moderate skills at sewing and facebook stalking. Why? Because to make these 16″ monogram pillows, you have to get just the right picture of your subjects without their tongue out, mouth wide open, or hair everywhere. And judging by what pictures post these days on facebook, believe me, that’s quite a feat. To complete this project, you need:

1. 2 yards background fabric (for 2 16″ square pillows)

2. 1/2 yard foreground fabric for silhouette and piping

3. 4 yards 1/2″ rope

4. Hairspray

5. Facebook Pictures

6. Photoshop

7. Zippers (optional)

Step 1: Pick your pictures from facebook, and use Photoshop (or hand draw) the subject’s silhouette from the picture

Step 2: Print silhouettes out in desired size

Step 3 (not shown): Cut out 4 18″ squares for front and back of pillow on background fabric

Step 4: Lay out and pin silhouettes to fabric, then cut VERY DETAILED around shape

Step 5: Use rest of foreground fabric to make piping with rope. Use instructions here on how to make piping from scratch, otherwise you can buy pre-made piping from any fabric or trimming store.

Step 6: Sew around silhouette with matching or contrasting thread. Don’t worry about thread unraveling; it adds character! (But I also suggest spraying it HEAVILY with hairspray post-sewing, as it will keep the threads intact just like a run in your tights!)

Step 7: Put right sides together of pillow, and fold the piping around the edge, then sew. If you want to put in a zipper, see these instructions (I swear it’s not that hard!) Congrats, you’re done!

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