DIY Boho Chic Patchwork Lumbar Pillow
Sew little rectangles of fabric with different global patterns together, like you're making a small quilt. Sew them into a long slim rectangle lumbar pillow! Very global bohemian chic look!
This pillow was inspired by Turkish overdyed patchwork rugs. I love the mish-mash of mixed patterns.
Turkish overdyed patchwork rug
I went on a crazy fun stenciling spree while testing colors for a previous DIY project, faux Fortuny pillows (also shared here at http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/pillows-throws/diy-faux-fortuny-fabric-16511077). I tested different colors of paint on different colors of fabric. I thought all these test samples coordinated and looked really cool together. So I sewed them together into a pillow. Here I show you how to do it.
First, wait for a silly cat high on catnip to clear out of the sewing area.
Lay out rectangles of fabrics. My rectangles were about 4" wide by 8" long. They were all painted with stencils and stencil creme paints from royaldesignstudio.com. You can paint fabrics but you don't have to. You can collect remnants from other sewing projects, or buy fat quarters of mixed patterns.
First, sew rectangles together horizontally. (See horizontal stitching diagram here.)
Then, cut pieces to make an even rectangle shape. Stitch these pieces together.
Iron the seams open. I know ironing can be a pain. But this is an important step to getting a nice finish. Ironing makes the seams nice and flat. Don't skip this step!
Stitch the pieces together vertically. Iron the seams open.
I added decorative stitching over all the seams. Because Turkish patchwork rugs, the inspiration for this, have decorative stitching over the seams.
Stitch up the sides, top and bottom. You can leave a flap opening in the back, or insert a zipper.
Final result!! Cool! This pillow is now in our apartment in India, where I mix it with other patterns:
This photo is a little bit underwhelming, but this was taken before the wall is stenciled. This will look much more finished then. But you can see, a lumbar pillow like this adds a big visual punch to a bed.
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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4 comments
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WOW! I thought it was a solid piece of fabric with different patterns! And stenciled also! Great Job! Looks amazing. The kitty approves =:)
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I would never have guessed you made that yourself! Looks so high-end!
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Thank you Miriam! I appreciate it!
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