Placemat Pillows: a tutorial

I'm moving apartments in August yet again, only to turn around and move in December. This fall is my last semester in College Station and then I'll be back in DFW for student teaching. After moving 4 times (5 in December) in 3 years,  I don't even remember what it's like to stay in one place anymore. There is a positive side to moving so much though. Each apartment is like a fresh canvas, ready to be brought to life.  I've accumulated more and more things at each place and have really started to develop a decorating style, at least for now. One thing I'm lacking is some good couch pillows. I love an opportunity to bring in color, so when I spotted these placemats at World Market, I thought they would be a great fit.

This honestly took me about a half hour to complete. And at only $4.99 each, (using recycled pillows) I   think I made out pretty well with these two new additions to my sofa. You could totally do this project without a sewing machine, either by hand sewing or by using a product like steam-a-seam to bind the fabric together. 

Materials:

Placemat(s)

Pillows to reuse or store bought fiber filling

Seam Ripper (scissors work too if you're careful)

Tutorial:

Select a side and start ripping out the seam.

Keep going until you have about a 6"gap, enough room for your hand to fit through.

Pull out the stuffing from an older pillow. If you don't have any you're willing to sacrifice, try looking at a thrift store or purchase a fiber filling at a craft store.

To avoid a lumpy look shred the fluffs by pulling them apart with both hands.

Stuff, taking care to reach all corners and sides of the placemat.

You can also use a recycled or store-bought pillow insert. This one fit perfectly for one of my pillows.

Pin the gap closed.

And carefully sew the seam shut again. Remember you can hand sew or use steam-a-seam for this step.

Until moving day they've found a place in my bedroom. 

And no-one will ever know it was once a placemat. Aren't I sneaky?

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