Have I mentioned lately that my crush on drop cloths is going strong?
That nubby texture, their versatile size and color, their price?
I love them.
I think there are probably 101 ways to use a drop cloth for something
other than catching paint drips in blogland by now
It’s pretty thrilling to go into Lowes and pick up a fresh drop cloth
that is ready to be something so much more than it was intended to be.
Like this cute little pleated pillow
This pillow is about a simple but charming addition to your sofa or on the bed.
The easy, basic pleats just add that extra oomph that makes it that much more darling.
I have made several styles and sizes of drop cloth pillows before
some with long ruffles, some with shorter ruffles
oh and I have made outdoor drop cloth panels
curtains
and window shades
and more…
yes, I might be obsessed…
some with long ruffles, some with shorter ruffles
oh and I have made outdoor drop cloth panels
curtains
and window shades
and more…
yes, I might be obsessed…
Here’s how to make one of your own.
You need:
a dropcloth
sewing machine
scissors, etc.
pillow forms in the size you would like
Note:
I always recommend washing the drop cloth at least once or twice to soften it a bit.
This drop cloth is a fresh out of the package variety
and if you don’t wash ahead of time- no worries- you can always wash away when you are finished.
First you need to measure the amount of fabric you will need to cover your pillow.
I do that by placing the form on top of the fabric to see about the size of each piece and then add several inches on each side for seaming and folding, etc.
If you already have a cover and are simply replacing it
you are in luck- you can just copy that size- but do add a tiny bit more to each side either way.
Cut your fabric size for the front and back
Another tip?
How about one of those
I need to make 6 new pillows for the sofa before the ladies party tonight
tips that saves some time and sewing?
Just fold the fabric over the top so that you have only the bottom seam to sew.
With these pleated ruffles- they are basic- nothing fancy.
Simply cut a piece of fabric that is about 4″ total width- you will need the length of the side of the pillow- but since it is folded- I usually use about 2-3x the length
and cut it when it is right after pleating. For example- for a 12″ area- I would start with a 30″ length depending on how tight and detailed your pleats are.
and cut it when it is right after pleating. For example- for a 12″ area- I would start with a 30″ length depending on how tight and detailed your pleats are.
The first step is to take the ends and fold them under so that they are not open- sew the opening closed by running it through the machine.
The next step is to make the pleats.
These are really just folds- and you can make them larger or smaller
tighter or a little more floppy- totally up to you.
Simply fold the fabric and pin it to tack it and move on to the next one and the next one and so on until you reach the end.
Repeat for the other side and you then tack the pleats into place by running through the machine about 1/4 of an inch inside- then it’s on to sewing the pillow covering.
Place the ‘pleated pieces’ on the inside of your fabric- with the pleat edging facing towards the inside of your pillow.
When you reverse this after sewing the pleats will then be facing out instead of in.
Pin the pleated strip into place in between the front and back fabric and sew all the pieces together. Repeat for the other side.
I usually will also sew closed about 5-6″ on each side of the pillow covering opening
on the bottom- and then finish the rest by hand after inserting the pillow form.
(You can see the difference in the two pillows I made
One has a relaxed look and one has a more distinct pleat)
Once you are finished sewing – flip your pillow covering inside out and voila
you should have a darling simple pleated drop cloth pillow.
I find there are always little threads and fibers to clip with drop cloth projects
but after a little clean up and ironing the pleats if you would like
you are finished and have pretty new pillows to enjoy
A fun and easy Summer project
Happy Monday everyone!
I am a member of the Lowes Creative Ideas Network and was compensated for this post
but all opinions and designs are my own of course.
sharing at wow
Enter your email address:
Delivered by FeedBurner
Vivre Shabby Chic says
Fantastic! Lovely and really easy…
Carla.
Unknown says
I have been on the drop cloth bandwagon myself. I actually use one as a slipcover on the sitting room sofa, and another as a lightweight coverlet on my bed. We have a chocolate lab that luves to be on there and this saves my bedding from doggie hair. Not to mention drapes… it seems to get softer and nubbier with each wash. LUV that!
Luv your pillow idea. 🙂
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
I bought one just havn't made anything yet. I need to get my act in gear.
Michele says
So nice – just the perfect little pillow, love it.
Rhonda says
I couldn't agree more! I have used them to make slip covers for my wing back, to reupholster our dining room chairs, chair pads, etc. We have a Jack Russell who is very spoiled and this durable, inexpensive fabric is perfect for furniture pieces that she claims for herself!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Very pretty, Courtney! I love your pleated pillows. I just finished up the last good size pieces of drop cloth that I had here. I need to go get more from Lowe's myself. I had wanted to try my hand at your double ruffled drapes for the master bedroom. I have enough scraps left over to maybe make a banner.
Junkchiccottage says
Slipcovers are awesome and oh how I love your little pleated pillow. That is really pretty.
Kris
Mari says
Oh sooo pretty…
Love your idea, your pillow turned out beautiful…
Smiles~
Mari
Barb says
Cute!!! Love your new pillows! I was just looking at pillows today at Home Goods; thinking of refreshing our L-shaped sofa down pillows for something new. 🙂 We do lots of dropcloth iideas over here! Last week I recommended a dropcloth teepee to a lady at a fabric store — it would save her money in the long run because you get SO much yardage with one. 🙂 She and her mother were excited about the idea. She liked that it would be easy to sew or not sew, depending upon how large her child's teepee was to be.
My 22-year-old daughter, Amy, likes to use dropcloths for painting on, like canvas. She has yet to stretch her own canvases but could! 🙂 She has also made pillows with fabric-for-the-printer projects sew into the middle of dropcloth pillows for her friends' birthdays (with photos copied from Manga drawings from the internet).
Happy summer!!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Barb 🙂
martinealison says
Une publication qui relance l'envie de créer de nouveaux coussins pour mon atelier !!
❁ Gros bisous ❁
Diane W. says
Hi…I really love this idea, Courtney! I have looked at the dropcloths at Lowes and could not make up my mind exactly which ones to choose. They seemed darker in color than the one you used. Is there a particular brand to purchase? Thanks for the help! Diane
Courtney says
Hi Diane,
Some of them are definitely a little different in color and texture so I usually just sort through to find what I am looking for. The brand I have been using is Blue Hawk.
Diane W. says
Thanks so much!!
Marisa Franca @ Allourway says
Love turning something into something fabulous. Your cottage is beyond beautiful — you've worked to get it to look that way and you certainly can tell you enjoy doing what you do!! Great ideas.
Marisa Franca @ Allourway says
Great Ideas!!
Unknown says
I love this! Your dropcloth pillow looks fresh and polished – so clever!
Sally @cottagefix
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Very pretty Courtney!….thanks for the tutorial!…
Unknown says
wouldn't you need to cut the pleated pieces more than the length of the side? You would need extra length for the pleating. That is where I would need help estimating.
Courtney says
Yes, the length of the fabric that you would use to make the ruffles should be at least double- maybe more the length of the area you will be using it. I added more detail to the post to explain how I do it.
Pura Vida says
so cute!
Sarah says
Courtney, I made table cloths out of drop cloths and saved the side pieces that I cut off. I just may use them to make a few pillows. Thanks for the inspiration.
Erin says
LOVE these!!! How gorgeous and simple!
Anonymous says
Very nice thanks.. u make ruffles look simple. I must give this a try!!
Marsha says
I read somewhere that the drop cloth fabric is hard to sew…..is this true?
Robin Daulton says
nice
María Leonor says
Me gustó mucho la idea, la voy a poner en práctica, mil gracias.