Love where you live. Sign up for our newsletter

Cushy, Comfy, and Definitely Not Lumpy: Our Favorite DIY Pillows from the Curbly Archives

by on Aug 13, 2020

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!              

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Shibori-dyed pillowcases
Photo: Brittni Mehlhoff

1. Shibori-dyed pillows: These beautiful blues are going to start off our pillow projects countdown. Shibori-dyeing has been in the spotlight for a few years now, and we’re not sick of it. It’s kind of like tie-dying, but without all the patchouli vibes. Plus if you were to rest your head on one of these pillows, it would kind of be like sleeping on a cloud.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Eyeball pillow
Photo: Lidy Dipert

2. Eyeball pillow: What a looker! The best part about this stuffed cushion is definitely the fringe eyelashes. 

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Botanical leaf pillow
Photo: Jeran McConnel

3. Botanical leaf pillow: The Monstera plant with its Swiss-cheese leaves is a home decor hit. In this tutorial, the pillow itself isn’t square, which makes it a nice way to break up an overly-symmetrical couch.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Macrame pillow
Photo: Faith Provencher

4. Macrame pillow cover: The 70s are back, baby! And with them they bring macrame. It’s not just for wall-hangings and plant holders, as seen in this most knot-y of pillow projects.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Stenciled pillow
Photo: Holly Wade

5. Stenciled pillow cover: If you’re looking for a truly unique way to decorate, then stenciling is the method for you. This tutorial breaks down this classic crafting technique.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Geometric pillows
Photo: Jeran McConnel

6. Geometric pillows: Sometimes simple is best in the land of pillows. These minimal grids were achieved using ribbon.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Recycled Bolster Pillow
Photo: Shelly Leer

7. Bolster pillow from old towels: This one is clever – while it might be difficult to fill a regular square cushion with old bits of laundry, this bolster is filled with a rolled up towel! 

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Bleached landscape pillow
Photo: Bruno Bornsztein

8. Bleached landscape pillow: The lines on this cushion were created using a bleach pen. Nifty!

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Thrift store clothes pillow
Photo: Jennifer Farley

9. Thrift store clothes pillow: This has maybe happened to you: You’re at Goodwill and you find a shirt with a cute pattern in the fabric, but the size is way too big! Buy it anyway, because you can transform it into a pillow cover with this tutorial.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Abstract pattern pillows
Photo: Holly Wade

10. Abstract pattern pillows: These unique iron-on decals take this pillow from “blah” to “bazinga!” 

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Button pillow
Photo: Shelly Leer

11. Button pillow: This pillow is cute as a button! Sorry, couldn’t resist.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Typographic pillow
Photo: Jeran McConnel

12. Cozy typography pillow: This cozy cushion is calling our name. The lettering was easily created via stenciling, and the fabric is flannel for extra cuddle points.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Geometric glitter pillow
Photo: Holly Wade

13. Geometric glitter pillow: Wow! This stunner is definitely the most glam on this pillow projects’ list, and it kind of channeling some Wizard of Oz vibes.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Cyanotype pillow
Photo: Jennifer Farley

14. Cyanotype pillow: Through this tutorial, you can learn how to use the sun to transfer beautiful cyan photographs onto fabric – perfect for making a pillow cover.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Ampersand pillow
Photo: Faith Provencher

15.  Ampersand pillow: And… and… and?? And wouldn’t you like to know.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Floral patches pillow
Photo: Holly Wade

16. Floral patches pillow: Got an iron? Then you can do this project! While we might normally consider denim jackets as the primary destination for iron-on patches, this tutorial disagrees.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Mock French-linen pillow
Photo: Shelly Leer

17. Mock French-linen pillows: This pillow with its trim and tufting seems complicated, but thanks to some clever DIY tricks, it’s not!

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Embroidered pillow
Photo: Faith Provencher

18. Embroidered pillow: This tutorial just goes to show that with the right combination of fabric and floss, the timeless art of embroidery can make for a pretty and modern pillow.

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Outdoor pillow
Photo: Shelly Leer

19. Outdoor pillow: Learn how to make pillows that stand up to the elements!

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Vintage Button Pillow
Photo: JoAnn Moser

20. Toile buttoned pillowcase: This pillow is perfect for our vintage-lovers out there. Plus, this tutorial demonstrates how to make matching covered buttons!

 

Our Favorite Pillow Projects from the Curbly Archives | Envelope pillow
Photo: JoAnn Moser

21. Envelope pillow case tutorial: And finally, a classic: How to make an envelope pillow cover. After that, you’re all on your own!


Pinterest Graphic should have some alt text!
Share this project on Pinterest! 

 

Now that we’ve had a look at our own tutorials, let’s check out more of our favorite pillow projects from across the internet!

Pillow projects roundup

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *