return on creativity: love bird pillows

extra pillow shams + applique + a little trim =

For some reason I had two extra pillow shams that match my bedroom duvet cover. For years they've been taking up space on my I-can't-get-rid-of-this-because-I'm-going-to-do-something-with-it-someday shelf. I'm so happy that I finally got them off the shelf. I love the results.

The idea all started with the extra shams...

My inspiration was birds. Have you noticed that birds are popping all over in decor? I love it! So I found a great bird silhouette on the Internet and traced it onto some wonder under that I fused to a dark brown fabric remnant from my bag of scraps.

I cut out the birds and fused them to my pillow tops, set my machine to the tightest zig-zag stitch, and started sewing.

The brown bird fabric had a really loose weave and my applique turned out with some threads sticking up. Normally I would have been a bit stressed, but I think it gives the pillows a sort of chunky rustic look that goes with the decor of my bedroom. I consider it a "happy accident."


Then I sewed on my favorite pillow trim. Isn't it sweet and simple?

Finally I sewed right sides of the pillow front and back together, turned everything right side out, stuffed, and hand sewed it closed. Here's the finished product.

Extra incentive to make the bed...and if hubby and I aren't getting along I can just swap the birds so they aren't facing each other. I love passive aggressive decor!!!