For as long as I can remember, I have wanted leopard pillows. Now they wouldn’t really go in our last place so you bet I couldn’t wait to put them in our new house. I have lusted after pillows like these, which I see appear all over blogs; but I could never justify paying $75 for a pillow cover. Not in our house, nor with our budget. Telling E that I needed to spend $250 on pillows for one room–not going to happen. Luckily, I found a look for less fabric (which is the same fabric most of the online retailers for the pre-made leopard pillows use). Unless they specify “Scalamandre Leopardo” it is most likely the cheaper alternative, Calico Corner’s Jamil Natural.
Scalamandre Leopardo, below retails for $300 a yard, and the pillows pre-made retail for about $200 per pillow!
And the comparable (what I used) Jamil Natural below from Calico Corner’s retails for $45/ yd, with a sale it was $34/ yd.
Pretty indistinguishable in my opinion.
Here are a few rooms that have featured the two fabrics:
Lonny
Elle Decor
Palmer Weiss
I was able to order my leopard fabric, Jamil Natural from Calico Corners on sale this fall during their fall sale. It was 25% off which really helped because it brought the price down to $34/ yd. If you sign up for their emails they give you a coupon for a discount on your order as well! I spent $100 for 3 yards of the fabric. From this I was able to make four 18″ x 18″ pillows and even reupholster a bench, which was essentially free!
I bought down inserts from Ikea for $5.99 each. They are 20 x 20 pillows but aren’t super fluffy, so it was good that I followed the old rule to make the pillow cover 2″ shorter on either end to make it extra fluffy. $100 for fabric + $24 for the inserts = $124/4 or $31 each! Compare that to what one pillow premade retails for without the inserts, $75-85!
Here is the finished product. I think they turned out wonderfully! And I made four for what I could have only bought 1.5 pillows!
They even play nice with my Homegoods coral pillows (two for $15)!
And little known fact, these sofas, which are my favorite, were actually the amazing designer, Tom Stringer‘s own! My mom is a friend of his and bought them off of him probably eight years ago. They are my absolute favorite and although they have had a rough time being transferred from storage unit to storage unit, it is nothing a little Old English can’t fix. And now they have a good permanent home in our living room. I admit, I get giddy every time I sit in them, knowing that Tom Stringer designed them himself and had them custom made at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. You may know some of his work, like this Michigan summer home featured in House Beautiful, or this lakeside home featured in Traditional Home , Renovation Style.
Tom Stringer in House Beautiful
Tom Stringer in Traditional Home
Tom Stringer in Renovation Style
And back to reality, my house, with windows that need painting, carpet that will eventually be replaced (it is brand new but not my style. It will certainly be done after we fix the cedar siding, replace the roof, and any other pertinent maintenance), oh yes, and raising kids. #priorities
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN THROW PILLOWS:
DIRECTIONS:
1.) We laid out the fabric and decided how we wanted to cut the pillows, maximizing both symmetry in the pattern and spacing (to waste the least amount of fabric possible.) Then we cut them, pairing the fronts and the backs together with pins. We (my mother-in-law, who is seriously a DIY wonder) and I made some templates to use for future pillows too by cutting out and taping cardboard boxes in 18 x 18 squares.
Then we pinned together the pieces of fabric for each pillow, and sewed them together.
2.) We sewed the pillows. You can see that this project (like many others) were done during my morning sickness period (hence the blogging absence.) Ahhh, green grass!
Who doesn’t need some Celtic Grey Salt with their pillows? We may have had to take a lunch break.
3.) We stuffed. It was a little difficult, and not very photogenic of an activity. So we skipped the pictures. Just remember to leave enough room for you to comfortably slide the pillow in through the opening, and then go back and sew it shut.
We could have sewed zippers in, but these pillows are in our living room and are in a kid free and dog free zone. If we ever need to wash them, we can spot wash them, or if worst comes to worst, we can undo the stitching and hand wash the covers. Not a big deal.
Well, I am so glad that I finally shared that with you! I felt really good only spending $31 a pillow vs. the pre-made alternative of $75-$85. Have you ever sewed pillows before? It was my first time and I am addicted. It means that designer pieces can finally have a place in my home! What are your thoughts on leopard?
I have linked up with Thoughts for Thursday at the House of Malones and East Coast Chic. Make sure to drop by! I have also linked up with Creative Collective at Classy Clutter and The Girl Creative!
These turned out so cute!! I made some curtains in my guest bedroom because I could not spend the 500 for 3 panels.. Sometimes it helps to be able to do DYI.. I love how they turned out 🙂 WAY TO GO
Chelsea@ thewilliamsjourney1.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh – you are so talented girl!! These look amazing and add the perfect little extra oomph to your living area!! xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
So pretty! I love your huge windows looking out at the snow! Gorgeous!
Bookmarking this! With nursery designing on its way, I know I'll want some custom pillows!
What a fun and easy project and boy do that add to the decor. Love it!
You have a beautiful house! My daughter would love those pillows. Pinned and following on pinterest. I'm right after you on the inspiration gallery link party. Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you so much! I will have to check out your link–I always love seeing other people's work!
xo
Annie
Thanks so much Sarah! You can't go wrong with a touch of leopard 😉
xo
Annie
Thanks Katie! Can't wait to see your nursery! Custom pillows are so expensive so it is great to be able to save money wherever possible with a DIY!
xo
Annie
Thanks so much Brittany! We do love all the windows even though they will be a beast to paint!
xo
Annie
Thanks so much Biana! You are too sweet! You can't go wrong with a touch of leopard 😉
xo
Annie
Thanks Chelsea! I have to check out your curtains, we have to do some window treatments in the nursery next. Can you believe how expensive premade ones can run?! Crazy!
xo
Annie
I had to check these out after you commented on my blog. These are GORGEOUS! You did such an awesome job!
Amanda,
You are so sweet! Thank you! I love your blog (and cannot wait 'til I can drink cabernet again!) Have an awesome weekend!
xo
Annie
No doubt it will be very useful for my future projects. Would like to see some other posts on the same subject!