Every once in a while we all stumble on something that I like to call “A MILLION DOLLAR IDEA”! Some projects make you bonk you head and say…”Why didn’t I think of that”? And when you make the project you think it’s the best thing you have ever done!!!! These SEW-EASY OUTDOOR PILLOWS are one of those million dollar ideas. And they were less than $1.00 to make!!! No more soggy outdoor pillows. No more “spot clean” only pillows. No more hunting the farm fields if one blows away. These are great little pillows that will give your outdoor living spaces a fabulous pop of pizzazz!!! Let’s make a sew-easy outdoor pillow!
I purchased a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth at the Dollar Store for $4.00 and got 4 18-inch pillows from it. You can’t beat that for great decor style for your dollar!!!!
It took about 30 minutes to make my first pillow, but the second, third and fourth only took about 15 minutes each!!! They were that easy to whip up!!!
Let’s make a sew-easy outdoor pillow! It’s as easy as 1… 2………………. well, just 1…2!
1. Using a flannel backed vinyl tablecloth, cut out 2 pieces for each pillow. Cut out a square the size of the pillow form plus 1/2 inch to all size!
I made an 18-inch pillow so I cut 2- 19-inch squares. EASY PEASY! If your tablecloth has a noticeable design make sure to match the patterns.
With RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, sew three sides of the pillow using a half inch seam allowance. Leave the bottom of the pillow open.
2. Turn the pillow to the right side and stuff it with a polyfill pillow form. A polyfill form is best because if it would somehow become wet a feather form would smell. Stitch the bottom of the pillow closed.
TA-DA!!!! How cute is this pillow?
Next week, I’ll be making black and white sew-easy outdoor pillows from a black and white checked tablecloth! Are you going to be looking for a vinyl tablecloth to make some pillows for your outdoor spaces?
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Great idea!
I apologize if you answered this question previously but….where do you buy your pillow forms?
I like Pottery Barn forms, but Ikea makes nice ones too.
Oh what a great idea! I will be making these today!! I always have a problem being here in the south with the hot hot hot days and humidity plus when it rains in this heat things just tend to get damp on my porch and take forever to dry. On top of that I have a beautiful sweet cat that sheds really bad and she just loves to “borrow” my pillows. Needless to say these will be fairly weatherproof and my Kitty won’t touch them! Thank you so much. I am amazed at how my “brain” doesn’t come up with some of the great ideas but so grateful that you do!
Oh my gosh!!! I found a can of purple spray paint in our shed and decided to use it up on an old bench for my front porch. It painted up beautifully but purple. My husband was agast. “Okay, I paint it out”. Then comes your blog. I am headed for the dollar store to find a table cloth for pillows to soften the purple on the bench. A lovely plant or two and I can have a picture destined for Pinterest. Thank you for your blog.
Oh wow! How wonderful Judee!
This is a great idea! My mother & I made pillow ticking cushions for my chairs 28 years ago — could never leave them outside — wow, now I can cover those with vinyl table cloths! Thank you for the inspiration.
I love your creative ideas. I’ll be following you.
HI Sophie! Welcome to the StoneGable family!
I have seen the vinyl material before but the tablecloths would be so much cheaper! You’re genius.
What a great idea!! We get so much road dirt that settles on our front porch and the pillows always get filthy, this is a blessing now I can have pillows that I can just wipe clean.
Just the inspiration I needed to make with the vinyl tablecloth I bought this week. I live in very wet but beautiful Wales in the UK so outdoor cushions have been a thing of dreams only! I thought that any left over cloth could be made into sweet bunting to brighten up a corner too – I have made this before with vinyl off cuts. Thank you for all your lovely ideas.
Thanks for all the great ideas! It’s barely feeling like spring here in northern New York, but when it comes we’ll be ready!
WOW! I just recently discovered your wonderful podcast. I now consider myself a “binge podcaster”.
All of your ideas are so great and inexpensive for me. Thank you girls so much for taking time out to share your thoughts and ideas with all of us.
I really had a great time listening to the Pillow podcast. I sew and making pillows are one of my favorite things to make. The ideas are infinitesimal‼
Keep up the good work.
Oh Vickie, Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know you are enjoying our podcast! Hugs!
I’m definitely going to make some of these. I have a friend who loves hedgehogs and I found a vinyl tablecloth for a dollar on clearance at Wal-Mart and this is a great idea to make some pillows for her. Thank you so much for the idea!
Hedgehogs are adorable. Who knew you could find a tablecloth with them on it!
Great idea!! 😉
Yvonne – What a great and practical idea! I have started to visit my local GW to buy gently used pillows and I recover them. I usually find them for 99 cents and sometimes when they have too many, they will sell them 4 for a $1. You can’t be that with a baseball bat! Thanks for the great idea.
So very cute Yvonne!…..I love the colors! Great tip as always!
Love this idea for pillows for the camper. They would be perfect to take with me.
Hugs,
Bev
I have done this numerous times with vinyl table cloths and also from vinyl coated fabric. When making the pillows that are just for show and not actually being used, I put one or two rocks inside the pillow before sewing it shut. This way the pillows don’t blow away. Just add a few more inches to the bottom of the pillow so there is room for the rocks.. I have even stapled the bottom of the pillow closed when it is going someplace outside that is just for show. The stapled side goes down on the wicker bench, no one sees them and it is a cinch to close up the pillow
Love your blog!
Such great tips, Pam! Thanks so much!
Great idea Yvonne! I wash my outdoor pillows and they always end up lumpy. I’m going to haunt the dollar stores! Thank you so much for the tip. You continue to inspire me.
Which dollar store did you find this tablecloth? This pattern would match my outdoor cushions perfectly!
I found this tablecloth at a local Dollar Store in Lancaster Pa.
Great idea! Did you use special thread or needle?
Hi Pam, I happened to have a long needle on hand so I used that. But any regular needle would do.
Ta-Da!! I’m in love with this idea and can’t wait to try it!
Thank you Yvonne 🙂
Thank you Yvonne!!! I love your blog, I go back to your ideas over and over again. This is a great one, I’ve had a problem with mildew, problem solved!!! By the way, I would love good a chocolate chip cookie recipe, do you have one you recommend?
Thanks for the Great Idea! Cloth shops also have vinyl by the yard that is very pretty. I can’t wait to get started.
yvonne, you are so smart and creative – what a great idea!!
You amaze me and I LOVE this idea. My hubby just finished doing a make over of an old garden bench. These pillows will give it some zap! Thanks for sharing your economical ideas. Blessings to you, Avis
I can tell you this idea works great! I got tired of the pollen in the spring making a mess of my porch cushions and this is what I did to remedy the problem. An inexpensive way to make living outdoors a little easier….
Thank you! Great idea! I have a tablecloth I think would be perfect for this. It almost is a vinyl type but the hem is damaged, so I just put it aside for awhile. Now I will run out to the store for some pillow forms. Great idea for decorating and saving money!
Great idea!
I have a side yard that is visible to the street so I try to keep it nice. Truth be told it is a rarely (never) used area, but is my view from my kitchen picture window so it is staged with white Adirondack chairs, hanging baskets, clematis, lavender and tall grasses. I couldn’t justify spending $50 for pillows only for show and only to get ruined in one season. Your idea is PERFECT!
Your side yard sound so pretty. Now it will have pillows!
Yvonne – Because you like to swap out pillows so often, you could also make your outdoor vinyl pillows with a fold over closure. Do you remember those old school sandwich baggies? Add 3.5 inches of extra fabric to the both sides of the fabric to make a fold over pocket on the front and a tail on the back. Put a finishing seam along the extra edge and fold down the remaining 3 inches on the front, right sides together. Sew the three sides together catching the folded over edge and leaving the tail loose. You can also add Velcro to create a tight closure. Insert your pillow form, tuck in the tail, fold over the top and you’ve got a pillow cover that’s easy to change out!
Great idea, Mary! I’m giving this a try! Thanks!
I have even stuffed the pillow with plastic grocery bags.
Great idea, but are they lumpy?
I wad the bags up and stuff firmly…does well.
Love This idea! I have a couple Fourth Of July tablecloths just sitting in a bin downstairs that will be perfect for this project!!!
Oh my goodness! What a great idea. My sister gave me an outdoor pillow that she bought at a craft fair made from the expensive “plastic” material from Hob Lob, but this is so much better! THANK!! I’m off to the store right now..
This is a terrific idea for our red, white and blue holidays too! Can’t wait to try it. Gonna make a stop at the dollar store today! Thanks Yvonne!
What a wonderful idea! I can’t wait to cover my old outdoor pillows. My pillows are really starting to look worn, and I hate to spend a lot of money on new ones that are just going to get blown around by our crazy Oklahoma winds or left out in the rain because I forgot them. Thanks for such a great idea!!!
Yep, why didn’t I think of that. Another one of your fabulous ideas! I will be off to the dollar store when they open.
My goodness I’m so excited to try my hand at making a few of these pillows for my wrap around porch. Thanks Yvonne for the inspiration. Have a great day!
I could just give you a huge hug and kiss!! What a fantastic idea. Our pillows outside look haggard and worn. You’ve given me inspiration to cover them cheaply. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Hi Marisa, Just wait till you try this… It’s addictive!