Love Pillows - Wedding Gift Idea

I like to give original gifts for special occasions like weddings. I have seen pillows around blog land that have spelled "LOVE" and thought that would be a unique gift. You could just buy pillow cases and transfer the letters on - but I decided to make everything from scratch. These pillows are more like throw pillows and I didn't want the opening on the side like most pillow cases - so I made envelope slip cover pillow cases. Here is what I did....

1. Purchase pillows. To make a pillow case pattern I found a pillow case that fit the pillows, turned it inside out and cut out two front pieces from pre-washed fabric. My fabric was a cotton/poly blend. My front pieces measured 27 inches x 21 inches BUT PILLOWS ARE DIFFERENT so that might not be the same measurement to use for the pillows you purchase. I printed out the letters using a free font called "Vanessa" (I had a few possible fonts I was going to use but the name of this font was the name of the bride so I thought that was cool). I printed them out the biggest they could fit on a page - the L and V are capitals, the o and e are lower case. I used one transfer per letter - so in other words, one letter should fill a whole 8 1/2 x 11 page. Remember to reverse the image. I used Jolee's Transfer paper that I purchased at Michael's.

2. Iron on the transfer using the package directions.

3. Cut two back pieces per pillow - making sure you have enough fabric to overlap one of the sides. Check out my envelope slip cover tutorial for more information. My measurements for each back piece was 16 inches x 21 inches - Remember - every pillow is different so do your own measuring. I finished each inner edge, folded it over 2 inches and sewing that secured. I layed the back pieces over the letter piece - right sides together - or in other words,  the letters will be on the inside and the non-seam side of the back will be on the inside. Sew all the way around the pillow, sewing an extra stitch at the opening so it will be durable for taking the pillow in and out.

4. Put in the pillows - and you have a fabulous gift. Oh yeah, I bought some other throw pillows to match that were the wedding colors. I could have sewn them BUT I found some at a price that I couldn't have made them for less.

Thanks for stopping by!

linked up to...