I have a fun new Christmas project for you…a stocking pillow inspired by Pottery Barn! All you will need is a sweater that you are willing to sacrifice, some burlap, buttons and twine!
As soon as I saw this one in Pottery Barn, I fell in love! But…$49 just for the cover was out of my price range. So if you know me, you know my little wheels started to turn…
…and here is the result! Not too bad, huh? Theirs is a sort of linen fabric, but I couldn’t find it in the color I needed, so I used burlap. You just make a sleeve that is open-ended on both sides, slip in the insert (mine is down-filled for $4.00 from Goodwill) and close with big buttons! Easy! However, I don’t knit, so the little stockings were a challenge.
I finally found a cashmere sweater for $4.00 at Goodwill that had the texture and weight I wanted. Then I cut and sewed three little stockings from the sleeves, making a little hem at the top to finish them off.
Next, I added little ribbon loops and threaded the stockings on a length of twine which I stitched to the pillow. Finally, I added some fresh rosemary from the garden and…taaa daaa! But I still had the whole body of the sweater left over! What to do?…hmmmm…
I made a simple sweater pillow and added another down insert from Goodwill…a $3.00 bargain…and then added a rose made from the leftover burlap!
It’s really easy! I just took a 45” by 4” piece of burlap and folded it in half so that it was 2 inches wide and then pressed it to make it easier to handle. Next, I tied a knot in one end, twisted the strip and curled it around, hot gluing at intervals to hold it, until it formed a rose.
And I have another idea cooking using sweaters…ornaments! I found this one in the French online magazine Marie Claire Maison. Don’t you love it? I wish I could knit!
And there you have it! I was able to make both pillows for about $20 total, including the sweater, fabric, buttons and inserts! Woo hoo!
And now for the magazine look-alike shot for the Magazine Copy Cat Challenge at Debbiedoo's Blogging and Blabbing! That’s Pottery Barn’s version on the left and mine on the right! What do you think?
And stay tuned…with the help of my lovely assistant Miss Isabella, I will have more pillows to show you later!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my Christmas pillow! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Kate at Centsational Girl for the Holiday Craft Link Party
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Debbie at Debbiedoo's Blogging and Blabbing for the Magazine Copy Cat Challenge
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Beth at The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for Fall into Fall
Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Fabulous Fall Fun
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!
I love your finished projects!
ReplyDeleteOkay- Those pillows are really, really, really cute! Great job of duplicating something for a fraction of the cost. You did good, girl! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteOH MY STINKIN' GOSH! I love this project...so cute. I showed my husband the picture of the pillow and he asked if those were hot peppers hanging from a string....didn't have his glasses on! Hahahaha...
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo....I'm lookin' for cashmere....headed to the thrift store...on Sunday! Ok well they aren't open then...so MOnday! Yay
Thanks,
Debbie
Oh how I wish I knew how to sew Debbie, I LOVE LOVE that pillow!! Martina
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me!! I LOVE it!! What a fantastic little treasure you made!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour projects are adorable! Love the PB knock off pillow! Your brain and imagination are always at work, my friend!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love it!
ReplyDeleteCarmen
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI love everything you create! Your PB inspired pillow is so cute and I love it all.
hugs
Sissie
Your PB inspired stocking pillow came out perfectly. I love how you used Rosemary as the greenery. To me, Rosemary is one of the best smelling herbs. Your other sweater pillow will be perfect to use all winter.
ReplyDeleteI had a sweater on the other day and noticed a hole in the neckline. Secretly I was glad because I will make a craft out of it after Christmas!
I saw that pillow on line yesterday when I was browsing PB. I knew somebody would make that. Yours is wonderful. Love the sweater pillow, too. You are smart finding the inserts at the good ole GW.
ReplyDeleteWow ! how beautiful.... I really admire the way you turn your inspirations into DIYs..... Love the sweater pillow... Wonderful work... !!
ReplyDeleteI have a festival themed blog party going on at my blog : http://liventhingsup.blogspot.com/2011/10/itz-festival-time-2011.html
ReplyDeleteHope to see you there ;-)
I love the idea :)I've just bought 3 sweaters to make a pillow cases.Knitted decorations during xmas time make really cosy atmosphere in the house.
ReplyDeleteThat is just brilliant Debbie! I may have to give it a try, I made a sweater pillow last year like yours but the burlap and stockings are super adorable!
ReplyDeleteEnter me please!
Hugs,
Cindy
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.... I had seen that pillow as well and thought how cute that was. I looked at the cute socks and thought of knitting. TOO MUCH TIME... What talent.
ReplyDeleteLove both pillows. You're so creative. Thanks for the tips on how to make these.
ReplyDeleteDebbie these pillows are gorgeous. You are so clever. I might try a sweater pillow this year if I get some time. I saw you in Country Living and was so excited for you. hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and how clever you are to reuse!!! Gorgeous!Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, that is just too cute!
ReplyDeleteYour PB knock-off pillow is wonderful, Debbie! Those mags and catalogs are such great inspirations to talented people, such as yourself. :-) I've been looking for a nice sweater to cut up at our GW to no avail! Must be where I am cuz the GW's here are baaad.....
ReplyDeleteYour pillows are awesome! I love them!
ReplyDeleteThese are just awesome! You really have talent! Pottery Barn is probably following your blog closely! Love that you get so much from Goodwill. Pillow inserts?!! Fabulous.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of Miss Isabella...what a darling!
XO,
Jane
You always have the neatest ideas. I have some friends that knit sweater cozies for Christmas balls...they are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis took my breath away! And just when I thought I was done decorating! Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect sweater . . . LOL!
ReplyDeleteGrins!
Pamm
Debbie, I love the stocking pillow. I'll be on the lookout this week when I make my run to GW to see what I can come up with to make one of my own. Yours is every bit as fabulous as the PB one!
ReplyDeleteThose turned out great! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, The PB knock-off pillow is wonderful!! I haven't seen this in the catalog yet but I love it. Great job on the sweater pillow too. Thanks for linking to the Open House Party.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
Hi Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYour pillows are adorable!
Dee
Absolute fabulous, Debbie! The stocking pillow is precious with the twine - love it. And the cable knit is so sassy with its flower! You did a fantastic job - Wow! Linda (I made 2 this weekend, but they are "kindergarten" compared to yours!)
ReplyDeleteI love it that you kept going with the sweater material. What a way to reuse! Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteLove it, Debbie! Better than the original! The rosemary takes it up a notch! and your sweater pillow w/burlap rose is the sweetest! Of course, we couldn't do it without our assistants. ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Awesome! Awesome!! I love both pillows and the rose too! LOVE!!
ReplyDeleteLou Cinda :)
Wow Debbie -- you are fabulous! I love the way you find what you love and make it your way....p.s. I saw your cutest pumpkins in my Country Living this month!
ReplyDeleteYour creative mind and talented hands are at it again! Love the pillows. I've often regretted giving away some wonderful sweaters I no longer wore. If I still had them, I'd make pillows. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fabulous job you did! I love the burlap rosette, and your knockoff? A total success! I'd be thrilled if you came and linked this up to the Head to Head Showdown, going on right now at www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete~Jen
Your pillows are absolutely adorable! I love your version of the PB pillow! I did a knock off of their wreath pillow! The rosemary in the stockings was such a nice added touch! Beautiful job!!
ReplyDeleteI love them!! They look so great! Your stocking pillow looks just like the PB pillow!
ReplyDeleteVery very clever Debbie!! You are the master at this Diy stuff, I am always amazed at the quality of your pieces. You are incredible. have you seen the vases covered with sweater sleeves? I did a post last year on them. I think they would be a nice addition to your sweater pillow!!
ReplyDeletehttp://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2010/11/up-cycling-can-be-fun.html
I love, love your new pillows. I think you did a fantastic job on your Pottery Barn look alike, and the sweater pillow too.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, PB's is nice, but yours looks better. I love all of it. And now the ornaments...I've got to get moving on decorating, too! Thanks and Merry Christmas, Helen
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that is the cutest pillow ever! You are so creative and smart!
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! Beautiful ideas! Thanks for sharing,JoAnn
ReplyDeleteDebbie, your pillows are just wonderful. I love this idea. You are just so clever at copying things like that. Such a great tutorial too. Love, love, love it. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteGirl you have done it again with another awesome PB knockoff! Love how yours turned out...great idea using down inserts from GW!!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent stocking pillow!!! I adore the sweater pilllow using the remaing supplies, exquisite!
Had to stop by to tell you I read your article in the December 2011 of Country Living Magazine! Mine arrived yesterday, here on the Prairie! You did such an amazing job! Now...I know a celebrity! Congratulations!!!
Fondly,
Pat
P.S. Miss Isabella is so darn adorable! Curious to see what she's up to next!
Super cute idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're SEW creative, Debbie! I love your pillows. I love how PB inspires you to inspire all of us!!!
ReplyDeleteLove all the items that you created with salvaged sweater and burlap! Awesome...Merry Christmas! Tiffany
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with the pillows, Debbie. They both look very cute...Christine
ReplyDeleteThat is the most darling pillow. Love how you repurposed the GW cashmere sweater and also made the pillow with the burlap rose. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteI am in L-O-V-E with your pillows!!! Yours is prettier than PB's. The sweater pillow looks so good with the burlap pillow. You could sell those, girl! BTW, that rosemary was the perfect finishing touch. Gosh, I just can't get over how great it all looks.
ReplyDeleteSharon @ mrshinesclass
What a great knockoff - love!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Wow Us Wednesdays...
Rhonda @ home.made.
Love these pillows! I saw the pillow as well, but when I saw the price tag, I forgot about it. Thanks so much for making a fab tutorial. I am pinning and adding to my to-do list asap!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the inspiration!
Tausha
sassystyleredesign.blogspot.com
Too adorable! I think I will have to give that a try.
ReplyDeleteI love this! You did an amazing job! Your assistant is great too!
ReplyDeleteThis is very cute! I hope you'll stop by The Corson Cottage and share this at our {Home for the Holidays} link party every Friday in December. Carrie
ReplyDeleteADORABLE!!! I love these!
ReplyDeleteShannon
www.akadesign.ca
These are so cute and I LOVE the price :) Laurel@chippingwithcharm
ReplyDeleteOMG! I like I mean love these! I've had a sweater from the thrift store I've been meaning to demolish and remake into a pillow...well now I know what to do with the sleeves!!! Thanks for the inspiration!! You've done such a wonderful job, I think your's looks better then PB's pillow!! :) Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete~*Jessica
That cushion is adorable - I actually like yours better than the PB one.
ReplyDeleteI'd love for you to share this project over at my Inspiration Party at Simply Christmas ~ http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2011/12/inspiration-friday.html
such cuteness! love these pillows!
ReplyDeleteI just fell head over heels in LOVE!!! That stocking pillow is amazing! I love the other one too but the stocking one takes my breath away!
ReplyDeleteShared on FJI Facebook and pinned for SNS 110. :)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150481789926141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
Love it! Great minds must think alike, because I made some of these same knock-off pillows, although I used thrift store skirts to make the pillow slips ;-) Love the rosemary you tucked inside.
ReplyDeleteStopping back by to say thank you for linking this wonderful post to Potpourri Friday!
ReplyDeleteOh, Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThaat is so cute! Love it! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
S W E E T Debbie! You really did a great job. This was a hot copy thise year inspired by PB...I really think they need to step aside and let bloggers take over their mag LOL. Thanks for sharing and joining in Debbie. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOMG your pillow is actually cuter than the PB pillow! Just discovered your site and I will be stopping by daily....thanks for sharing this amazing project.
ReplyDeleteYour pillows are amazing! Great job! Sue
ReplyDeleteVery cute pillows and a great PB knockoff!
ReplyDeleteI love your pillows! I wish I had skills. Amazing copy cat!
ReplyDeleteI love this! The sweater pillow too, I just ran to the GW to get one and will be stitching up a new pillow this morning! Thanks Debbie!
ReplyDeleteYour knockoff pillow is just gorgeous - I love the burlap paired with the stockings! The rosemary is so sweet in them too!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteReason #467 why I must learn to sew...both of your pillows are absolutely adorable. I like yours more than the PB one, really! Thanks for sharing - I love it!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I swear, you are the Queen of knockoffs! You do the BEST knockoffs out there in blogland! I always fall in love with your creations and these pillows are no exception! Beautiful! Thank you for joining TTF and have a great day!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I've just been scrolling through your posts that I've missed, and I've decided I want to bring my entire family (there are only 30 of us) to your house for Christmas! Your decor is fabulous, and you are just so smart to be able to make such wonderful copies of high-end merchandise! You amaze me. laurie
ReplyDeleteThese pillows are so cute! Love the mini stockings. And I actually love your version better than Pottery Barn's! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteStopping by from Censational Girl's holiday linky party.
I was eyeing up those pillows in the PB catalog, too. Silly me, I went on a search for little knit socks. Didn't think to use an old sweater and cut them out! Great idea!
ReplyDelete{found you through Centsational Girl}
I love this pillow! Can't wait to try to make this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour stocking pillow is adorable!
ReplyDelete