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DIY decorative pillows are a simple way to bring color and a festive feel to a living room without replacing existing furnishings. With three plain pillow cases and a few craft supplies, you can create different designs that suit your space and budget.
These projects use metallic paint, sequins, and yarn to add texture and shine. Try the same techniques with different colors for other seasons, and set aside an afternoon to complete the pillows. Before painting or gluing, check that your pillow case fabric is suitable for the materials you plan to use.
DIY Decorative Pillows: Supplies and Preparation
Gather the materials for each design before starting. Place a piece of chipboard or cardboard inside a pillow case when painting to help protect the other side from paint seeping through. Work on a protected surface and follow the product instructions for drying and care.
Painted Negative-Space Pillow
Supplies
- Alpha stickers
- Metallic fabric paint
- Washi tape
- Paint brush
- Chipboard or cardboard
Choose a short phrase and arrange the alpha stickers on the pillow case. For more even spacing, position the letters from the center of each word outward. Insert cardboard inside the case, then use washi tape to mark a clean border. You can also paint all the way to the edges instead of creating a border.
Brush two coats of paint over the stickers and the surrounding fabric. Let the paint dry before removing the stickers to reveal the unpainted lettering. Check the paint label for its recommended drying and washing instructions.
Gold Sequin Swiss Cross Pillow
Supplies
- Pillow case
- Gold sequins
- Tacky glue
- Chalk
- Ruler
- Needle and thread
Use a ruler and chalk to draw a Swiss cross in the center of the pillow case. Apply glue to the left section, then lay the sequin trim in rows, beginning at the top left. Let the trim overlap the chalk line slightly so the marking is covered. Keep the rows aligned at the top and bottom edges.
Add more glue as you work across the middle and final sections. Tuck the end of the sequin trim underneath the previous piece to conceal the tail. Once the glue has dried, loosely stitch the trim in place for added stability.
Yarn Pom-Pom Pillow
Supplies
- Pillow case
- Thick yarn
- Metallic fabric paint
- Foam paint brush
- Needle and thread
Wind the yarn around your hands until the bundle is about 12 inches wide, wrapping it approximately 75 times. Use another piece of yarn to tie a double knot around the center, then tie it again about 3 inches from each end. This creates three tied sections.
Cut through the loops at the ends and halfway between the knots. Fluff the pom-poms and trim loose strands for a tidy shape. Paint a geometric design on the pillow case with gold fabric paint and a foam brush. When the paint is dry, insert the pillow and sew one pom-pom onto each corner.
Finishing and Styling Your Pillows
Decorative pillows can help a room feel more coordinated and complete. Combine the painted lettering, sequin cross, and pom-pom styles for a varied look, or use just one design as an accent. If the pillows will be handled often, secure embellishments carefully and check the care instructions for both the fabric and craft materials.
The Swiss cross pillow is especially suited to a bedroom, while the other designs can add a bright seasonal detail to a sofa or chair. Gold sequins bring a reflective finish, and the yarn pom-poms add a soft, playful texture. With a few supplies and some careful preparation, DIY decorative pillows offer an easy way to refresh a space. — Rachel
