September is National Sewing Month, and in honor of the occasion, we're taking a deep look at one of the most versatile materials out there: fabric! From sewing pillows to creating statement wall pieces, there's no limit to the way you can use fabric in the world of interior design. Here are 99 of our favorite tips on how to use fabric to decorate every room of your home. You don't have to be a tailor to use textiles in your space. From no-sew curtains to fabric as wallpaper, there's a project out there for everybody!
Urban jungle fever is still going strong in the design world, and I don't mind one bit!
From hanging air plants in every way imaginable, to covering a room with plants of all sizes, this decorating trend has us all "bringing the outdoors in" in ever-inspiring ways.
To pay tribute to the uncontested queen of stunning indoor plants, the monstera deliciosa, also known as the split-leaf philodendron, I created this embroidered monstera leaf art print.
I live for a great trash-to-treasure project. And this piece literally came from the trash.
I wasn't intentionally dumpster-diving, but one of our neighbors in the building was moving out, and leaving a lot behind. While taking out the garbage, I found a plastic case that had a lovely blue typewriter inside (immediately snatched that up), a squeaky office chair (I left that behind), and this ratty old seat. I went back and forth about whether or not I wanted to take the time to spruce it up. Usually furniture refinishing projects take way longer than I expect them to, but the opposite was actually true this time around. My little dumpster chair only took a half a day to refinish, and thanks to the right tools and attachments, I was able to paint and reupholster this little treasure with no trouble.
I can't get enough of graphic grid patterns. It's a clean, less busy version of plaid. Add a grid pattern to a space, and it instantly seems modern and current. I few months ago I hand drew an entire wall in a grid pattern. Ever since, I've been on the hunt for all for more grid patterns to add to my home. These bold pillows in a classic black and white grid are sure to stand out in any space.
Fabric is a staple in the home and one of the most versatile materials to DIY with. We've teamed up with our friends at Fabric.com to head down a fabric rabbit hole - exploring everything from fibers, to trends in patterns and colors, to the easiest projects you can create with fabric.
And for those of you who want to try your hand at a project, we came up with a super simple, stunning DIY wall art idea you can create using your favorite fabric and slats of wood.
Ahh, the stocking -- a staple of Christmas celebrations! Have your stockings been hung yet? If not, we've got a great modern idea for you today that you will love: DIY leather monogram stockings! They are simple to make and totally in keeping with a minimal holiday decor style.
If you've never embroidered, don't worry -- you only need to one stitch, the blanket stitch. Keep reading to see how to make your own!
If you're anything like me, your pets are an important part of your family. So like the rest of the family, don't they deserve their own Christmas stockings? If you know how to sew, you can easily make your pets their own personalized holiday stockings. Just don't forget to stuff them full of their favorite treats and toys on Christmas.
Now that the weather is getting cooler in most places, you may be pulling your sweaters from last year out of the back of your closet. And maybe there are a few that you decide won't be making it into your wardrobe rotation. Before you get rid of an unwanted sweater, consider whether it could have a new life as a sweater pillow. Here's how to add a bit of knit texture to your decor by sewing your own sweater pillow.
There are lots of reasons why you might not want to wear an old sweater any more. Maybe the fit, color, or style is off, or perhaps there are stains or holes that developed while it was sitting around unworn (thanks, moths!). Especially if the stains or holes are on the sleeves, you may be able to salvage the rest of the sweater by turning it into a pillow. And if you don't already have a suitable sweater, you should be able to find one at a thrift store.
I loved the stitch pattern on this dusty pink sweater, but the color and fit just didn't suit me. When I realized that it would look much better in my living room than on me, I started figuring out how to turn it into a sweater pillow. Here's how I did it:
Knit sweater - You want one with a fairly dense knit stitch.
Pillow form
Sewing machine
Machine sewing needle
Hand sewing needle
Thread
Fabric scissors
Pins
If you have a specific sweater you plan to use, be sure to take it with you when you buy the pillow form so that you can make sure you get one that will fit. If you're buying the pillow form online, carefully measure the sweater to make sure that the arm holes, neckline, or any other obstacles will leave you with enough material to cover the pillow.
Sew around the perimeter of the sweater on the lines you pinned. Be careful not to stretch the sweater as you sew, or you'll end up with wavy seams. I like to round off the corners and trim them, so that my finished pillow won't have pointy, empty corners. Be sure to leave an opening for inserting the pillow form! The exact size of the opening depends on your pillow size, but the one here would have been easier to deal with if it had been an inch or two larger.
As a serious crafter, I always have two recurring problems: I ruin my clothing (thanks to paint/stain/glue splatters), and I'm also always running around the house looking for tools as I'm trying to finish my project. So I made a crafting tool belt with detachable apron, and it solved both of these problems! Now I can gather all my tools at the start of the project and literally keep them on me as I work. I don't know why I didn't make one of these ten years ago! Click through to check out the sewing tutorial.
Upholstered headboards almost have it all - they look beautiful and they're super comfortable to lean against. But they're often quite pricey too. There's good news though... there are tons of great tutorials out there to help you make your own. So today we've rounded up 20 of our faves. Click through to check them out.
If you're ever looking to change up a room in a way that doesn't cost a lot of money and doesn't require a lot of commitment, then pillows are certainly the way to go. They're interchangeable, they immediately add something to the room (whether it's color, texture, or both), and they're snuggly. So what's not to love? We're looking back at some of our own favorite pillow projects from the archives; because while store-bought is fine, it doesn't require a lot of effort or previous experience to create a one-of-a-kind cushy masterpiece. Now, on with the pillow talk!
My dog Charlie loves to sit outside just as much as I do, but he's a bit too big to lay comfortably on a chair or ottoman. So, I thought it would be fun to make an outdoor daybed for him. Click through to find out how to make an upholstered bed for your own furry friend!
Begin by staining your wood. Put on a pair of protective rubber gloves and wipe the stain and sealer across all of the wood pieces with a rag. Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area, and protect your work surface because the stain will do just that – stain!
Once the stain dries, take some measurements for the leg placement. Find the center of the diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the largest piece of wood. Flip it over and find the center point in the same manner on the back side.
Glue one of the legs on that center point, and place the other four in the outer corners. Make sure to place those four half an inch in from the edges.
While those are drying, begin cutting your fabric. Cut two pieces of outdoor fabric to 20 x 8, one that is 30 x 8 and one that is 32 x 22. Cut the exact same size pieces from the clear vinyl fabric.
Lay the 20 x 8 piece of outdoor fabric right side down on the 20 x 8 wood, and lay the clear fabric on top of that. Staple across the top edge, 3/8 inch from the edge. Place a staple every two inches, stopping half an inch from each end.
Pull the fabric taut over the stuffing and staple it down as close to the edge as possible. Staple every two inches, and staple the sides down as well so there are no spots for the stuffing to escape.
Trim off the excess. Repeat steps 4 through 8 on the other 20 x 8 piece as well. Do the same for the 28.5 x 8 piece too, but staple the fabric all the way to the edges on this one.
Now that your legs should be securely glued to the wooden base, reinforce the legs with screws. This is why you made that mark on both sides of the base. Screw through that middle mark from the top side, and it should go directly through the wooden leg below. Do the same for the four corner legs, placing the screw one inch from the edges so they go right through the center of the legs below.
Place the edge of the large remaining piece of fabric face down as shown above, with the matching clear piece on top. Make sure it is face down so that when you flip it up, you won't see the staples on this front edge where they would be most noticeable. Staple every two inches, 3/8 inch from the edge.
Place stuffing on the whole surface of the base and then stretch the fabric across the top and staple all the way around, an inch from the edge. Cut off the excess fabric... this should leave 3/4 of an inch open for you to glue the three side pieces down. Once the glue has dried thoroughly, reinforce them with screws in the back corners.
I would recommend bringing it inside when not in use so it lasts longer, but it will stand up to the elements thanks to the durable fabric and Thompson's WaterSeal.
Do you use a body pillow? I can't sleep without one. I used to be able to, but over the years my joints have started to require that extra support as I snooze. While my wife fortunately doesn't mind me cuddling something else all night long, I am miffed at the lack of options when it comes to shopping for a body pillow cover. Because of this, I've always made my own. Usually I just make them from an old sheet, but decided to make a fancier one for this newest body pillow I bought (body pillows are on back-to-school sale right now, just FYI!). If you can sew a straight line on a sewing machine, then you can make a body pillow cover of your own.
Are you in the mood to make some DIY gifts this holiday season? Then you'll want to peruse and pin our DIY gift guide. In it, we highlight 75 tutorials that cover just about everyone on your gift-giving list; mom, dad, girls, guys, tweens, kids, babies, fur-babies (that's cats and dogs to the uninitiated), hostess gifts and even teacher gifts. We've got it all covered. Take a look!
It's likely happened to everybody... you have an odd-shaped gift that you're just not sure how to wrap. It's okay, don't have a holiday meltdown! Just make one of these simple cinch pouch gift bags out of a scrap of fabric and some twine. And here's the best part - it's reusable so you can do your part to be a bit more green this December. Click through to check out my simple tutorial.
I have a pillow problem. Anywhere I go, I instantly want to look at the pillow section and leave with an armful of pillows I DON'T NEED. It never stops me, and one of my favorite places to pillow shop is Urban Outfitters, which is where I stumbled upon these velvet flower pillows with tassels. Since velvet is my go-to fabric this time of year, I fell in love with the pillows and decided to practice self-restraint, telling myself I could make one and save a few bucks. Since I already had the supplies at home, my Urban Outfitters knock-off velvet flower pillow was FREE compared to the $50 version!
Usually during this time of year, I'm sad to say good-bye to summer. It's hard to let go of the long nights and sunny days. This year, however, I'm pretty excited about the start of the fall season. Don't get me wrong - I love summer, but there's just something so enthralling about the onset of chilly weather. I love the smells, the colors, and the textures - specifically textures like furs and leathers. To start the transition from summer to autumn, I decided to make a DIY fur pillow out of my favorite fall feels.... except this pillow is animal-friendly!
Every time I wander through Anthropologie, I leave wishing I could have bought everything in the store. And lately they've been selling these gorgeous eclectic throw pillows with beautiful textural embellishments... but of course they're a bit on the pricey side. So I decided to try my hand at making my own simplified version. Click through to check out the full tutorial for these DIY Anthropologie throw...
I have a secret infatuation with faux fur. I'm the gal who raids the remnant bin at the fabric store for any and all furry fabrics. What I'm saving them for, I don't know. They're just so fun! The faux fur pouf is trending, but some of the nicer onces available to purchase are over $100. With back-to-school season upon us again, I wanted to find a way to make one of these fun and furry ottomans on the cheap. Keep reading to see how I made this one for under $40!
