Perhaps you’re feeling a bit rebellious …
Pondering following in Johnny’s and Brad’s and Angelina’s footsteps and heading across the pond …
Or maybe you’ve just watched one two many episodes of House Hunters International as ex-pat after ex-pat search for homes away from their homes …
But becoming an ex-pat can be pricey …
… it’s a big move. And involves finding jobs. And selling homes. And finding schools for the kids. And quarantining family pets. And learning new languages.
But fear not. I’ve got a solution for you. It’s my Benedict Arnold line of pillows at my Etsy …
The Union Jack …
I started with two different drop cloths, one of which was a bit darker in color than the other. I washed both. And with the lighter drop cloth? I bleached it too. I Just filled the machine with water, a couple cups of bleach and let the drop cloth sit in that bleach bath for a couple of hours …
I made a simple 18” x 18” envelope pillow using the darker drop cloth as the base.
For the diagonal stripes I cut (okay, ripped) two strips from the lighter fabric 3” and two strips from the darker fabric 1 1/2” …
Press and pin…
… and stitch …
I stitched two rows a little less than a 1/2” in on the darker fabric stripe …
For the cross stripes …
Rinse and repeat for the first stripe (as in press, pin, and stitch) …
Rinse and repeat for the second stripe …
Pin right sides together and stitch …
Trim extra fabric and the corners. Turn right side out. Insert pillow form (see how I make my own here) and style for a photo shoot …
And I’m not one to leave well enough alone, so I just added a yellow and gray version to the shop …
Oh, and my Etsy shop has gone global … I now accept international orders.
You can find all my pillow designs here …
P.S. Have you heard about my pillowpalooza link party? It goes live on June 25 at 6 AM CST … and will stay open until Friday at midnight …
Click here or on the button above more …
Sharing …
* Jennifer Rizzo * Savvy Southern Style * Organize and Decorate Everything * The Shabby Creek Cottage * House of Hepworths * The 36th Avenue * Addicted 2 Decorating * Funky Junk Interiors * Tatertots & Jello * Common Ground * Whipperberry * Five Days … Five Ways * Lolly Jane Boutique * Too Much Time on My Hands * Sisters of the Wild West * I Heart Naptime * The DIY Showoff * Under the Table & Dreaming * Between Naps on the Porch * Skip to My Lou * C.R.A.F.T. * Craftomaniac * Today’s Creative Blog * Home Stories A 2 Z * My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia * A Bowl Full of Lemons * The Shabby Nest * The DIY Showoff * Creatively Living * French Country Cottage *
Hi there! My name is Linda and I’m a Jersey-born-and-bred Midwestern transplant who lives in Chicago with my husband and two children. We've lived in our home since 1995 and over the years our style has changed and evolved. I wouldn't call my home a work-in-progress -- more like a rework-in-progress as I refresh and remodel things around here ... one room at a time.
Another great addition of pillows to your shop! I love the natural Union Jack…the light and dark contrast is so subtle.
Your pillows always turn out so well, I also love the natural tones that you used in the first Union Jack pillow. Such a great look!
These are really beautiful! I like the tone on tone the best – it’s like a nice surprize! You make me wish I could sew!! ~Lori
If I had a sewing machine, I’d be all over these!!! Thanks for sharing the how-to’s Linda. I LOVE that pillow!!
So cute! You are amazing girl! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
These are super cute. I love your sewing projects, always so good. Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
Love the little fraying and tones on the pillow. Great job.
You know how I love your Union Jack pillow…a little piece of home and now a yellow one too…fab.
I can vouch for the excitement of moving to a different country, I have done it twice.
Now I’m in the mood for some fish n’ chips! And as always, wishing I could sew!!
Kelly
Beautiful! Love the muted colors and the frayed edges.
Oh my goodness, I LOVE both versions! You have some serious talent, Linda!
xoxo,
Meredith & Gwyneth
I love this soft look! So pretty!
p.s. btw, who ever won your pillow giveaway?! I just remembered that
Your Benedict Arnold section of Etsy – LOL!
Pinned. Love.
Why didn’t I think of that? Why didn’t I think of bleaching the drop cloths? Seriously. You are a drop cloth genius!
Congratulations! loved the tutorial. Your pillows are ah-mazing. I love the detail, the raw edges…I love everything about them.
So that’s how you did it!…Maybe making this pillow may be worth fixing the old machine that is collecting cob webs in the attic…then maybe not…because it would definitely not turn out to be the same gorgeous pillow!!….Oh…do you hear the phone?….It’s Angie calling…she needs a dozen of those Union Jacks…so she can impress the Queen when she comes for a visit…..hey, they are “royal worthy”…..
You may have to open up a factory, and hire some people to keep up with demand! Those pillows are the BOMB!
Genius!!
xo-Lisa
Oh snap, I love, love, lurve the details on this!!
Awesome pillow! It makes me want to have afternoon tea! I’ll bet they are selling like hotcakes, or scones.
You are sweet to share, but I am going to order one.
These are my favorite pillows I’ve seen in a LONG time. So creative!
Linda,
These turned out great.You make it look so easy.
Anne
I bought a new sewing machine the weekend before last. Last weekend I actually got it out of the box and took it for a little test run. Thanks to this post, I might bust out a little somethin’ somethin’ on it this weekend. (I really like the yellow ribbon version.) Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE your Union Jack pillows
The dropcloth version looks so soft & organic, and I’m loving the grey & yellow version – so pretty and fun 
Kelly
I do love a good union jack! Do you happen to have a tips for sewing a straight line? I’d love to know.
gorgeousness galore!!
I love your Union Jack pillow! It’s fabulous.
Shut up! I love it. And I think I might have to make the yellow one mine. Heading over to your shop now to pin and then accidentally show my husband:)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Hi! I am a new reader creating over at http://www.twelveoeight.blogspot.com/ these are so lovely!
I keep seeing these around blogland and am loving them. Yours are great. I love them!
Super cool pillow! I want to make one! I’d love for you to post a link to this project at my link party…
http://www.doodlesandstitches.com/2012/05/link-party-time.html
Also, I’m going to pin this. Very cool. Thanks for sharing!
I love the tone on tone look! Looks wonderful!
SUPER cute!!!
Love these pillows. You did a great job. I might have to add this to my list of pillows i want to make. Thanks
I’m totally lovin’ the yellow and gray!
Thanks for sharing!
–Kaite
LOVE it~ going to have to try these they are so cute!! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!