I’m a pillow hoarder, so it’s probably no surprise that I always have extra pillow covers in the house. I swap out my pillows every time I get sick of something, and because purchasing new pillows all the time is an expensive hobby, I’ve found a surefire way to personalize any pillow with my own designs using inexpensive IKEA pillow covers! The secret: sticker paper and paint.
In previous pillow DIYs, I’ve shared the wonders of iron-on vinyl, but the easiest and longest lasting way to personalize a pillow is still with good ‘ol fabric paint. Although iron-on vinyl will still stand up to heavy use, it may need to be re-ironed over time and could peel away, so a high quality fabric paint has it beat. Plus, you can easily create your own personalized stenciled by cutting away printed images on sticker paper!
Materials:
- Sticker paper
- Printer
- Hobby knife
- Fabric-safe paint
- Sponge paint brush
- Cutting mat
Step
Print out your desired pattern or words on the paper side of the sticker paper. Remember that designs cannot be overcomplicated because you will lose the middles of letters like “O.” I simply typed words in a large bold font and printed on two pieces of paper.
Step
Place the printed papers on a cutting mat and slowly begin cutting out the letters with a hobby knife. You can always cut away more if needed, so be cautious at first.
Step
Once all of the letters or patterns have been cut out, carefully peel away the sticker backing and place on the flat pillowcase. Press with your fingers to ensure all areas of the stencil are stuck to the fabric.
Step
Use the sponge brush to dab the paint over the stencil until all open areas have been filled. For thin pillowcases, insert a piece of cardboard into the pillowcase to prevent the paint from bleeding to the other side of the fabric.
Note, the sponge brush is important because it will reduce spreading of the paint beneath the stencil. Avoid using a standard paint brush.
Step
Continue painting all areas of the stencil – in this case, I used two different colors. Immediately peel away the stencil before the paint dries. Allow the pillowcase to dry completely before inserting a pillow form and displaying.
A high quality fabric paint will last over multiple washes and will not peel away from the fabric. It’s the perfect way to personalize your home decor, even when you’re on a budget!
