Duuuuude. I got back on the proverbial sewing machine horse. What? You haven’t heard that expression. Whatever. The point is: Sue the Napkin is now Sue the Pillow! Or more accurately Sue The Pillows (yup, I made two of them).
Here are my materials:
- Four Sue The Napkins (I originally got ten when we found them on clearance at Crate & Barrel, but I picked up four more so I could make two pillows using four of them and still have ten leftover to use as dinner napkins).
- Oh Brother (my
trustysewing machine, more on him here) - Two old pillows to use as the “inside” of my new Sue pillow covers
- A needle and some brown thread to sew one edge of the pillow shut by hand (that way I can easily seam rip that last portion to free the pillow inside and make a different cover down the line if I’d like).
I’ll spare you every detail, but I basically just stacked two napkins on top of each other with the good printed side touching (and the back of the fabric showing on the top and the bottom of the stack) and used my sewing machine to sew three of the four sides completely shut while it was all inside out like that. I even turned the corner and did about an inch or two on each end of the remaining fourth side while they were still inside out on the machine. Then I removed the napkins and turned them right side in, stuffed a pillow inside my little napkin envelope (which now had the printed side facing out), and stitched the remaining expanse of about 10″ closed by hand with my brown thread (which blends in surprisingly well).
As I’ve mentioned complained about before, I’ve ironically never had an issue with sewing by hand (it’s like painting by hand or demo-ing by hand, both of which I can do – I only have issues when I rely on a maniacal robot sewing machine). But as much as I whine about the ol’ new sewing machine, it did me right for my little pillow party. Am I a professional seamstress? No. Can I sew three straight lines without ending up with a birdsnest-looking-pile-o’-thread? I did this time. Strike up the band! Cue the fireworks!
And on the surprisingly-not-as-annoying-as-I-thought-it-would-be side of things, it only took me about four commercial breaks during Modern Family to whip up both pillows (so maybe about 12 minutes total? I was watching last week’s episode by the way, so don’t ruin this week’s for me).
Then I just stitched them closed during Bethenny Ever After (this took me much longer than it should have because I kept stopping to stare at the screen and guffaw at my imaginary BFF). But all in all, they look a lot less demented much better than I expected. Actually – dare I say it? – like real pillows.
Oh and as pretty as the pillows look when they’re all fluffed and photographed for the blog, more often than not they really look like this. Because Burger makes it a personal goal of his to squish every pillow in the house into an ugly little blob. But he’s cute so we deal with it.
Sometimes he even stops to nuzzle Sue, as if to say “you’re my favorite napkin-turned-pillow too.” It’s always nice to get pillow validation from an eight pound chihuahua.
So that’s the tale of Sue The Pillow(s). Have you guys sewn any napkin pillows lately? Did you die over the whole Gloria hair-rings/earrings thing on Modern Family last week? Me too. Can’t wait to watch this week’s episode tonight.
Stephanie says
Great job! I can’t sew at all so I feel your pain but this little $15 handheld machine is actually very easy http://www.amazon.com/Singer-Stitch-Handheld-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003BS34FG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304018125&sr=8-1 I’m going to try to use it to make my own napkin pillow this weekend.
Katy @ farmingmama says
Love the Sue pillows! Also, the blue pillow looks amazing, Sue really makes it pop (or it makes Sue pop? either way!). I’m sad but glad to hear that last night was a rerun – I totally went to read in bed before Modern Family came on so missed it either way. Last week’s episode was pretty spectacular :) Love that show!
jodi says
looks great!
Heather says
I do something similar with dog beds…we use sheets to make new covers so we can change the look (for the season sometimes) and so we can wash the covers constantly and not have to leave the dogs without beds. We have a stash of covers that we grab from. The only difference is when you hand sewed the last part, we don’t sew it. We use strips of velcro or a zipper (done both) that you just sew on.
Candice says
I still haven’t stopped laughing over your sewing machine issues. Your pillows look great and so does the birthday banner. I haven’t sewed in awhile but still have my grandmother’s old 50’s Singer featherweight. My mother taught her three daughters to sew and then we started helping sew our own clothes. Some things just take longer to pick up! You are doing great, Sherry.
Stephanie says
Good stuff. I never thought of using napkins for pillow cases before! Now that I think of it, my favorite napkins just might pull my living room colors together…too bad the napkins are used heavily for their original purpose. I will keep my eye out. Sometimes Anthropologie has their often cute napkins on sale.
What size pillow did you use? Or what size were your napkins to start with?
YoungHouseLove says
The napkins were 21 x 21″ and the pillows were around 20″ square. I just laid the covers over the pillow to “eye” if they would fit and then I sewed them and they did. Whew.
xo,
s
jamie says
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
i’m totally going to napkin hunt for something I can turn into pillows of my own.
Kate V. says
Just got some spring kitchen towels from Target to make into pillows! I also like to make cases for our bed pillows and I made a duvet cover for my daughter’s bed because I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. A flat sheet works great for the bottom and then I bought nice fabric for the top. Great job with Sue!
Katie says
When I re-purpose pillows with new fabric, I usually make a pillow “slipcover”. That way I can take the cover off and wash it without ripping seams and I don’t have to sew anything by hand. I find the slipcover method a lot easier.
Here’s a good link to how do it: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/how-to/how-to-make-an-easy-pillow-cover-home-hacks-108230
PS I only tackle projects that can sewn in a straight line. I’m so bad at sewing that I used to have to get my brother to set up the sewing machine for me. Now that I’m an adult and don’t live with my brother, I have to call him everytime I want to sew something! It’s good to have a professional upholsterer in the family!
Amy V says
I know you’re a little wary about “Oh Brother” right now, but you might want to consider a zipper or button closure in the future so you can remove them to wash, swap out, & swap back in instead of stitch ripping it off when you’re tired of it!
YoungHouseLove says
Woah- that’s some advanced stuff you’re talking about. Haha. Someday I’ll master that.
xo,
s
heather says
Zip is super duper easy! I just tackled the ever looming zipper thing this winter, which I should have years ago and I was surprised at how easy it was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5DvkXbL3jM
This video is pretty good at explaining it. However, his technique would require hand-sewing. The easier way is to fully sew up both sides of the zipper and then open it part way. Then sew your edges in full, just like anything else and then just flip it right side out through the zipper itself!
Enough with the sewing comments. I get a little nerdy about it. I need to go get some other crafts done. Today? Landscaping and attempting a solar mason jar lantern, haha *snort* I’m so excited.
YoungHouseLove says
OOooooo that sounds like so much fun. Post pics on Facebook if you’d like! I’d love to see how the solar mason jar lantern turns out!
xo,
s
Katie @ Epistle says
Serendipitous! I just did the same thing but with Sue the Placemat which meant I cheated cause I didn’t even have to break out the sewing machine. But I am slightly obsessed with them so I know how you feel.
Here is my post –
http://kdbyers.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-make-pillow-from-placemat.html
p.s. I love myself some Bethenny too!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh- that’s too funny. They look amazing!!!! Tell Sue The Placemat that Sue The Napkin says hi.
xo,
s
Ashley says
Lovely job tackling the pillows! Sue looks great! But love Burger’s affection for Sue the most. My pup does the same, will favor the pillows, the back of the couch, or a lap any day over a traditional seat (if dogs have a traditional seat, haha).
emily @ the happy home says
well DONE! i could never sew a seam that straight by hand!
Charisma says
Way to go Sherry! They look amazing :).
Kristin says
Great! One step to overcome your little sewing trauma ;-) and Sue looks like she was born as a pillow. You fulfilled her true fate!
Pamela says
Modern family was hair-larious!
My daughter keeps reciting “When something tragic happens to your parents you will be all mine! Uh…that’s ‘if’ Gloria, not when!” Cracks me up.
Love the pillows!
Jessica says
So… What happened to those starburst looking pillows from Target? Did you return them cause I haven’t seen them in awhile?
One more question…
I’m dying to know if you have made any curtain progress for the living room? I’m so excited to see what you end up with :)
YoungHouseLove says
They’re living at a friend’s house! She loved them and we weren’t using them so they’re on tour. Haha. Might use them in the playroom or the sunroom someday (or any other room as it evolves, since pillows seem to be nomads around here) but for now we’re glad they’re getting some use.
xo,
s
Cara says
I have a sewing machine. IN a box. in my mom’s garage. And it may be getting some use now! :) — and we need some pillows so it would be great to make some!
Micaela says
I LOVE BETHANNY! Her baby nanny? Amazing.
(and good idea on the pillows!)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I love that she does hair!!! I was dying.
xo,
s
Naomi says
Lovely! I’m a sewer in my spare time, so I’m only asking this from a technical standpoint: Did you wash the napkins first? If you didn’t, when you have to wash them they might get a bit puckered at the seams.
kate says
Good stuff! Finding napkins & sewing them together is one of my favorite ways to change up the pillows in my house (and cheap to boot!)
Another quick presto-chango pillow I do is to find a double sided place mat on clearance, rip open just one side of it, and stuff with poly-fill, then hand sew the one side back up. Here is a quick post about one I did last year from my blog: http://eichten-cooley.blogspot.com/2010/04/repurposing.html
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo,
s
sarah (sarah learns) says
oh i love it! so perfect. :)
Lauryn says
so proud of you!! they look perfect! :-) two things: our cats like to squish our couch cushions down, so I feel your pain. But they are pretty cute too. And two, I didn’t comment yesterday-but wanted to say thank you for being so open and sharing Clara’s birth story. :-) You guys are awesome, Clara is so lucky to have you!
Briel K. says
Looks great Sherry! Before you know it you’ll be sewing Clara some cute clothes! ;)
Callie says
You go girl!
Sara says
Love the pillows! Our 8 lb. mini daschsund does the same thing. But, it doesn’t take long for new pillows to be nice and comfy for us too.
Sarah says
Great job! Burger is so cute. We have a little yorkie-poo and he squishes down the back of the couch to lay down. It’s cute, but constantly needs fluffed! lol
Erin says
Love the pillows! They look great!
Our dog also has an ongoing mission to squish all of our pillows, however he is a 70 lb Basset Hound. :P
carolinaheartstrings says
I love Sue, I mean Burger, no Sue, no Burger…..well both actually. Great pattern on those pillows.
Ruth says
Nice work re-purposing the napkins! Turned out great. I have a cousin who does a similar little project with double-sided cloth placemats – she just rips open one of the 4 stitched sides, stuffs a pillow inside (or stuffing, if she doesn’t already have the right sized/shaped pillow), and resews the 4th side. They look great and are a cheap way to get a really cute throw pillow!!
Tiffany says
Wow Sherry thats pretty amazing. When I saw the pillow the first thing I thought was “they found pillows that match that napkin”. Great job.
Leslie says
Nice job. They look fantastic.
Ashley @ sunnysideshlee.com says
Its so funny that anything new, pets go straight too. I’m assuming Burger is trying to get his scent all over it by claiming it as his sleeping spot! Adorable!
Oh and I just read through your birth story … honored that you guys shared a very scary, yet happy-ending moment with us. You rock!
Ally says
Yay! I am soo glad you didn’t give up on sewing and ‘oh brother’, the pillows look great! I love picture of Burger squishing the pillow :-)
Susan says
Great job! They look beautiful.
Carol N. says
So proud of you for getting the sewing done with minimal stress this time! They look great. And yes, my pillows all have that squashed slept-on look because my cat has a personal mission to sleep on top of every pillow in the house. At least he doesn’t shed much so they don’t look too bad. And I thought about you this weekend as I was picking up some pretty napkins that had been marked down to $1.20 each. I got 12 so I can make 2 pillows and have 8 left over for dinner napkins. Gotta love that I can have 2 pillows and 8 dinner napkins for under $16 total. Sweet!
Kelley says
The pillows look SUEper. Burger looks well SUEted to snuggle on them. OK. Someone stop me. So I’m being cheesy. SUE me.
Ashley @ DesignBuildLove.co says
awesome!!!!!!!! So excited!!! (Yes, really! I love the napkins and they look awesome as pillows, so I’m glad they are officially permanent!!!)
elaine says
WOW! Well, that trumps the Royal Wedding for me. No need to get up at 3am to witness history in the making – I just have. Many, many congrats on the birth of your new bab… er, napki… er, pillows! Long live the Queen (that’s you). And ‘oh brother’ can be King (sorry John)
Abby says
LOVE BURGER!!
stephanie says
Our Beagle does the same thing with our pillows. When we get home we can see every location that he has layed because of the pillows that he has smashed. haha drives me crazy, but we love the heck out of that guy anyway:)
Robyn says
I’m glad got back on the band(sew)wagon! Your pillows look great! And I know that now sewing project is deemed complete in my house until the dog has slept on it.
Robin says
Modern Family absolutely kills me. My favorite from the most recent new episode was when Luke was talking about Phil’s receptionist and says, “And that one time, she gave me a Woody…” HILARIOUS.
Autumn says
The pillows look great…but I just want to look at Burger–how cute is he, turning every pillow into his own little spot. I have a healthy obsession with the cuteness of my cat and never mind that he turns any spot he wants to into his domain for sleeping or observing. :)
Jerri says
Wow, Sherry! You did a great job!
I love Modern Family so much, I DVR it and watch it twice in a row (even the repeats!) All of the characters are fantastic!
Val says
Hang in there–it gets better…for some (not necessarily for me, and I took two classes!) I can now make curtains, tote bags, and pillows, and that is fine since I just like collecting fabric.
I agree that the sham type pillows are easy–and removable. I also made one that was like a sleeping pillow case that slips right off.
I know I won’t go much further because I am just not neat and detail oriented, whereas you obviously are, so it’s just a hump to get over with the machine. Once you get more comfortable, the better machines are night and day easier. So once you have a year or so experience on Oh Brother, consider Bernina–so good, it practically sews itself! Really worth the money if you stick with it.
Skooks says
No napkin pillows, but I have turned placemats into pillows for the couch before by slitting one of the sides open, stuffing it, and stitching it shut. VERY EASY to do. And cute. I found mine at World Market.
Becky says
I love my napkin pillows! I always watch for cute napkin prints to make into pillows. They are so easy to stitch up (even with my limited sewing skills) and inexpensive. I feel like I can experiment more with a color I wouldn’t if I had to pay $30 a pillow or more. Worse case if I don’t like the pillow…I’ve got some new napkins for the kitchen.
Paige says
Bethenny and Jason remind me and my husband of ourselves. He’s more laid-back while I’m having a spaz attack most of the time. And isn’t their baby just precious? Love her.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes- we love Bryn! She’s a doll. And she was born right around the time that Clara was (maybe a week earlier) so she reminds me so much of Clara.
xo,
s
Lisa says
The napkins, I mean, pillows, look great. Great job. They are so colorful and pretty.
I’m just curious…a lot of people don’t understand why this bothers me when we had a cat, but does it bother you that he lays on your pillows, blankets, etc…Do you try to tell him to get off of them when he goes on them?
I never wanted our cat to lay on top of things like our pillows/sheets. Some people would agree with me because the pet’s bottom would be on it, some would not agree.
YoungHouseLove says
We make the bed so our sleeping pillows are behind some decorative pillows so there’s no dog butt where we rest our head. But he sleeps in our bed with us (under the covers like a human) so I guess we’re not too worried about pooch cooties.
xo,
s