Playing With (glue) Guns and Fabric Part 1

Some of you know that I like to get crafty! I try to do projects for the house that will look awesome but cost me less than just purchasing in the store.  Of course I said I was done with projects until after the move, but I truly cannot help myself.  I get an idea and then I just roll with it!

I decided to make more pillow covers to take with me to Germany. I was going to make them there, but then decided I wasn't sure if my glue gun would work over there, so better to just make them now right?! I found some awesome curtains at Ross for $14.99 for two 36x84 inch panels. This is a cheap way to get fabric for these types of projects.  Another thing I have done is to buy drop cloth  in the paint section at Walmart or Lowes.  It is usually 8-10 ounce Duck Canvas, which provides a simple cream ivory type color. I use these in several other rooms in the house and even recovered some old Louis Style antique Dining room chairs with it and it worked perfect!

I like to make pillows in the form of a sham. They are so easy to take on and off and easily switch up your decor when you are sick of it! You can find the tutorial here.

Here is what you need:
Fabric
scissors
Unique Stitch fabric glue or Hot Glue
Iron

Take note if you use the Unique Stitch, then they will be washable, however if you use hot glue, I would not take the chance of washing them in the washing machine.

Since I used the curtains I had to first cut the grommets off along the seam.

Next, you will need to use either scissors or a seam ripper to rip out the seams on at least 2 sides of the panel.  This allows you more room for fabric to use so it will go a little bit further! 

Now comes the time for cutting your fabric! Most of my pillows are 18x18, so if that is the case for you, you need to cut a square 20x20 piece of the fabric you choose. Then you will need to measure and cut 2 side panels roughly 20x15 each.   Some of mine end up being around 20x 13 and they ended up just fine.

Next, get ready to glue these babies together!! You will need to lay the 20x20 square with the right side of the fabric facing up. Then, align your 20x15 backside panels with the right side of the panels facing down.  I like to use the iron to make sure there are no wrinkles in the fabric and also to run it over each glued seam for extra adhesion.  You will also want to glue a seam along each back panel so that when you turn them inside out they will have a finished look and no rough fraying edges will be exposed. I do this first, then begin glueing the backside panels to the front piece.  I let them dry for about 5 minutes and carefully turn them inside out and voila, they are ready for a pillow to wear them!

And here is the finished product! I really love how easy and economical these are to make! They averaged out to 6 pillows for $15- meaning each was around $2.50 each! Most pillow covers I see online are at least $20 or more each! So for less than that I was able to cover 6 throw pillows and totally change up my living room for a little while!