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A Fun and Easy Spring DIY

I don’t know about you, but maybe even before Valentine’s Day this year, I was looking for spring to arrive. Somehow, I think I’ll help it along by decorating my home for spring. Look for any way to bring spring inside; perhaps, thinking that somehow, someway, I’ll coax spring to come earlier and sit by me. Right here, at the table. Or on the couch. Maybe even by the fireplace. I’m not picky! Just join me here! So…have I got a great spring DIY for you today.

I was asked to be part of a Spring DIY blogging event…and this came to mind when this happened.

I was looking for encouragement. Perhaps inspiration. Maybe, just maybe something to launch me into decorating mode.

And there they were on the endcap of Home Goods.

I’m always looking for tablescape ideas. I picked up bunny teacups. Table runners and placemats. I LOVE bunnies and am not sure this year that I actually ever put them away. I tucked pine cones in one for my lazy susan on my island. Placed one bunny in a vignette in my kitchen. I simply couldn’t part with them.

But, the thing that caught my eye on that endcap were these napkins. They had two sets.

They yelled SPRING to me!

Not quite a spring DIY yet…but, I had to have them.

Anyone who knows me ALSO understands that I love bird nests. Some with robin eggs. A few to tuck into vases or wreaths or on mantels or olive buckets.

TIP! If you have ever had a problem with birds nesting in a wreath on your door, tuck a nest with eggs in and it sends an “Occupied” sign to all of them and solves your problems.

Because we don’t use our front door as often as the back, it was always a surprise to all of us when that door was opened and a Mama bird flew into the guest’s face; or worse, into the house! This tip has prevented that from occurring again. Try it!

Back on track here from the bunny (and nest) trail…

Those napkins had the sweetest bird nests on them. I had to have them. Into my cart they went and home to my dining table. You know the one that I love to have feet under…

Nest Napkin

I was deliberating how to set a spring table. I had bunnies in the center, but thought perhaps those would have to be replaced with a bird nest.

As I opened up that napkin and looked at the package, a light bulb went off! Do you remember the dilemma I had when trying to get a 20″ pillow cover for my favorite IKEA pillows when I was working on the nursery?

The napkins were 20″ squares.

Why hadn’t I thought of this before? I laid out that napkin. Searched for that IKEA pillow form, and the rest is history.

I ironed those napkins before ever beginning. Sewing teacher rule over here…

Ironing Napkin

Those sweet napkins were transported to the sewing machine. Then, I pulled out some great trim from my sewing stash…

I pinned that trim to the one napkin with the right side down and the edge of the trim to the outside and began stitching. All of the way around.

Trim sewn
Trim sewn

Sewing together
Sewing napkins together

Then pinning the napkins together with the right sides together, I stitched the three remaining sides together, and ended about 3″ into the last side on each end. That made my corners finish and easier to add the velcro closure. TIP: I made sure to backstitch each end so that when I added the pillow, the seam would not pull out.

I simply turned that pillow cover right side out and put my hand inside to push out all of the corners.

Next, I cut a piece of velcro the size of the opening and pinned it on the edge of each folded edge of the closure side.

velcro closure
pillow inserted

My favorite IKEA pillow form was tucked and fluffed inside and the velcro closed.

Close velcro

How easy is that? Can I tell you the best part? These napkins were only $1.75 a piece! The trim was half price when I purchased it at Hobby Lobby and was a little over $8. This perfect cover was ONLY $10!! That pillow form from IKEA was only $6 if you need that great down pillow. I’ve listed another alternative from Amazon below if there isn’t an IKEA close to you.

Isn’t this the BEST Spring DIY project???!

nest pillow

I am beyond thrilled! There are still 6 napkins to use for the 6 place settings at my table and a gorgeous pillow for my family room spring decor.

Because I love new decor for spring…and this pillow is a favorite…it may stay on that sectional until fall.

Here’s what you will need to make the project:

Print
5 from 4 votes

Napkin Pillow Covers

A great new way to make new pillow covers using cloth napkins! Such a great way to change covers for the seasons!
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Sewing machine
  • iron
  • pins
  • scissors

Materials

  • 2 cloth napkins to fit size pillow desired; I used 20 x 20"
  • sewing thread to match napkins
  • trim measure sides and add 3" to overlap
  • sew on velcro 8"

Instructions

  • Take 2 selected cloth napkins and iron out wrinkles.
  • Pin trim right side to right of one napkin with edge of trim to edge of napkin.
  • Stitch the trim to the edge of the napkin about 1/4" allowance. I tried to sew as closely to the edge of the napkin as the trim would allow and not show so that I retained as much of the size of my 20" square napkins to cover my 20" square pillows.
  • Lay the second napkin with the right sides together and stitch three sides. On the bottom, stitch in to the center about 3" on both sides and back stitch, leaving an opening to insert pillow form.
  • Turn pillow cover right side out.
  • Measure your opening and cut that amount of sew on velcro, the hook side on the inside edge on one edge and the loop side on the other side of the opening.
  • Roll pillow and insert into the opening. Push the corners of the pillows into each corner of the cover. Close and move pillow until it has taken the shape of the cover.

Notes

How fun? Who knew that cloth napkins made the best covers for my favorite down pillows? 
I hope you’ll give this a try!

I’m including some ideas for you for your shopping convenience as an Amazon Affiliate…no extra cost to you, but it will help the blog. You may find my disclosure policy here.

I love when a plan works out! When creativity comes to fruition.

Are you like that?

So much to love about this project. The cost. The uniqueness. The “one of a kind” finished project. The self satisfaction that creating and sewing and decorating brings me! I have to have creative outlets.

So many of you amaze me with knitting and quilting and DIY projects, especially with mad skills!

My sewing machine may not qualify for “power tools”, but, I’m so happy when it’s humming.

Happy Spring, friends!

I am so thrilled to be invited to share this project along with some other of my blogging friends. I can’t wait to see all the spring projects that my friends here are sharing! Hope you’ll hop on over and see their great creations.

Spring Craft Ideas

Kippi at Home  // Olivia O’Hern  // The House on Silverado  // From Farmhouse to Florida

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

More Spring Craft Ideas

My Family Thyme  // Salmonde  // Simple Nature Decor  // Feet Under My Table

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Even More Spring Craft Ideas

Chas’ Crazy Creations  // Zucchini Sisters  // Tribe of Burton 

 

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