Thursday, August 4, 2011

Paris Market Pillow

Ah, the trials and tribulations of one little diy project.
All I wanted was a simple little pillow for the chair in my youngest daughter's room. A project, that should have taken an hour and a half at the most, turned into a half a day and all night project! Does this ever happen to you???? Or is it just me?




Ever since I found the cool gray chair at HomeGoods several months ago,  I knew it needed a pillow.


Awhile back on the big Blog Party blog hop, I saw a great table makeover over at Junkin' Junky that had a Paris Market stencil.  Oooh, la la, it was the perfect design for a pillow. I inquired about the design and Mel was so nice she emailed the design file to me. I was able to re-format it so I could cut the stencil with my Silhouette Machine


The stencil is pretty intricate, but the Silhouette cut it perfectly.


I used a pre-washed drop cloth for the fabric for the pillow. Then I started applying the paint on the fabric using the stencil.


~

No photo with for this one....let's just say I need to do a bit more reading up on how to paint fabric : /

~



When diy projects go awry, you have to get creative. I have heard about bloggers putting fabric in their  printers and printing straight onto the fabric. Thought it was a good idea. Problem is ... my design on Silhouette was an outline and I had to fill it in. No problem, I could do that on the Silhouette software, only having not used it for very long, I ran into some problems and only a few of the letters and design would fill in black. If you know what I'm doing wrong, let me know!
By the time I got to this point I was really frustrated and not in a good mood!

So, after wasting a bunch of time trying to fill in my design, I went back to the original design file, which was red and decided to print it in the black ink only.

Since the fabric that you put in the printer has to be 8 1/2" wide, I cut out another piece of drop cloth fabric and then spray glued it to a piece of cardstock... this got stuck in my printer.
So, I cut out another one and tried it again... only this time I spray glued the fabric onto regular printer paper.
Since I have 2  printers (don't ask) and it got stuck in the first one, I tried my other  printer. (Update:my printers are inkjet not laser)
Here's what came out when I printed it in grayscale...

Not sure what happened there.


So, I tried again in the first printer and got some uneven inking... I think the fabric got held up in the printer because it was too thick and wrinkly.


Let's try this AGAIN!  I ironed the fabric really good and sent it through again, only I forgot to check "print with black ink"!!!! OY!!!


It took me 5 tries, but it finally came out right!
The secret is to iron the fabric before putting it on the paper and making the fabric 1/8" shorter than the paper so that when it goes into the printer, the printer grabs the paper instead of the fabric.
PHEW!!!

Sewing the pillow took all but 5 minutes! I used batting instead of a pillow form to stuff it because it's a custom size.



Glad it's finished...I hope the next time I make one it doesn't take me 6 hours!
Seriously! Ever have simple diy projects take forever to finish???
Pam 

                     

56 comments:

  1. hahaha, I have to laugh...cause I have done that!!!! so frustrating, but with me, as I am messing up I am also dropping things, loosing things!!!
    I love your pillow...and you can truly say it was made with love!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It happens all the time here Pam. Weather it be a big project or a small one they never seem to go smoothly!! LOVE that pillow, it was worth the 6hrs it took! Martina

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very nice! I also love the red- use it in another room perhaps. Or even another pillow in the same room:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nothing I do is EVER easy!!! My hubs gets this look of terror on his face whenever I saw "I was thinking" & then proceed to tell him "how easy" something will be! The pillow turned out great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It was worth all the frustration it gave you, the pillow is so beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love it! I never thought to use it on a pillow.
    I don't have a printer, so I would use freezer paper as a stencil and paint it on.

    If you get a moment, can you share how you used the svg on your silhouette? I've offered my create svg's and would like to be able to let others know how to use them with their system.

    Fab Pam, I'm so glad it FINALLY worked out for you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks fantastic!! Don't you just love Mel! :)

    Thanks for all the details and how it finally worked out. I've been scared to try printing on fabric...but after reading what all you did and what finally worked, I think I might try it finally.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You know the saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again". We have all probably been through this at one time or another. The pillow looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This pillow is fantastic! I love both design and style. I've had rathe good luck printing onto fabric, but have always wondered about the longevity of such a thing. Guess I'll find out eventually.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your pillow. I've always wondered how to do this, now I know! It turned out great! ~Delores

    ReplyDelete
  11. I LOVE your blog!! Anything Paris gets my heart. I just love it!! I am your newest follower. Thank you so much for posting our Everything Annie Sloan Giveaway on your sidebar! We hope all your followers come on over and take a peak and register for this amazing Giveaway!! Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the pillow! I totally understand your frustration with having to try something a couple of times before it turns out. I hope your daughter is enjoying it. Thanks for dropping by and checking out my mail tray.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The pillow looks fabulous!! I love the design and and so nice to have a custom creation! Her room has such nice touches from Mom and Dad. Lucky young woman!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's beautiful Pam. Worth the effort and perfect for that great chair!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do believe it was worth the trouble. It is beautiful! LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. It may have taken several tries but it turned out perfect in the end! Looks great on the chair!

    ReplyDelete
  17. It looks great and was worth all the attempts! I've been wanting to try printing on fabric for awhile now.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pam, that turned out great after all the problems. I love the red.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi this pillow is super cute!! Worth all that hassle for sure...and btw this happens ALOT to me. It's alwasy something. Thanks for the tip. I am very much wanting to make a frech label pillow :)
    Lina
    Fancy frugal Life

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your accent pillow turned out beautifully, and looks wonderful on your daughter's chair. It was well worth your trials and tribulations!
    Congrats on another project well done!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cooking is that way for me. If the recipe says it will take 25 mintues, it will take me 45. I don't know why, but it always does!!! I love the pillow! So cool! Sooooo... I can't find curtains I like for my guest room I am doing so I thought about using my wall paint on white curtains to make stripes... that won't work??? Any tips?

    ReplyDelete
  22. I like the Red one too, it's so vibrant! I am just in awe at this project. You are so creative Pam!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What an ordeal! Good thing it turned out *super* cute! I think we've all been there...

    ReplyDelete
  24. this pillow is beautiful! great job!

    ReplyDelete
  25. The pillow turned out great. Too bad it took so many tries but sometimes (often) that happens when we are trying something new. Have you tried the citra solv method? I find it works great and you can do it to bigger pieces of fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  26. It's very cute and worth your effort!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I LOVE it!!! That is awesome. Looks so much like a pillow I saw at the Sleepy Poet. And yes, simple little projects can turn into huge messes for me too. Hate it when that happens!

    (And I'm so happy I can comment on your blog now!! For SO long this type of embedded comment box would not allow me to sign in. Hooray!)

    ReplyDelete
  28. well it is worth the effort, it looks great. I love the red one... have you used that also?? If you iron your fabric to freezer paper (available at Quilt shops) that works well too and comes off easily.

    ReplyDelete
  29. After all those tries, it was still worth it. Lovely. I know what you mean though! The pillow I made this week was actually the reverse side, because the iron on transfer I printed would not stick. I spent at least an hour scraping the half stuck image off so I didn't waste the fabric. Good thing I love the grain sack I made instead.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Perfection, I love it. Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  31. You're not alone! lol! But I guess that's the way we all learn. Trial and error. Great learning curve, huh? lol! But thanks for the inside scoop on creating these! Your pillow came out just perfect!!!! :)

    xoxo laurie

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is awesome. It seems like almost everything takes me longer than I thought. sigh! Your pillow was worth every minute, er, I mean hour!

    ReplyDelete
  33. That was certainly worth the effort. so pretty. I am not sure why your silhouette only printed certain areas in solid, But your end result turned out lovely.. xo marlis

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh, I've totally been there done that with DIY projects gone awry! :-) It turned out just beautifully though so I think it was worth the effort for sure. Thanks so much for sharing it at Inspiration Friday!
    Vanessa

    ReplyDelete
  35. That looks so amazing and perfect on that chair! Lovin it:) Would would love for you to link up at my party HERE if you get a chance! Have a great Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love the pillow and the chair, and yes these kinds of things happen to me too. Once it's all finished you soon forget all the pain you went through.
    Thanks
    Kylie

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yes, that has happened to me, too, Pam! It is usually the project that you think is going to go quickly and easily, too! : ) It turned out great. I tried this through the printer once too and had the same problem. I'll have to try your solution as I think they come out really good that way. Although I did manage to have some luck with a stencil, but then I'm spending money on the stencils. I hope you kept the red one ~ it would still make for a great project down the road!

    ReplyDelete
  38. OmiGOSH, this is FABULOUS!!! Your day-and-a-half really paid off handsomely!!

    Deborah, visiting from
    upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Love the pilow- I reeeeally love that chair!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Let me know if you want to sell the red one - I'd love to have it!!

    Lisa @ Red Door Kitchen

    ReplyDelete
  41. Worth the time spent. It looks really pretty.

    Saw your link on 'Homemaker on a Dime'. I am hosting my first Link-up party - Tea Time Thursdays. Would be glad to see some of your awesome posts there. Hope to see ya at the party :)

    http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2011/08/celebrating-one-party-time.html

    ReplyDelete
  42. That is amazing. I have never thought of printing on fabric. What an awesome idea. I'd love for you to link up to my Feature Friday link party. www.blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. That pillow came out beautiful. You have staying power. It's frustrating when a project goes so awry. I just got a Silhouette machine. I'm a little confused...how did you print using the silhouette? Thanks for sharing at my Sizzle into Summer party.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I've printed on my inkjet for years. I iron the fabric to freezer paper first and then cut to the size I need -- either 8-12x 11 or 8-1/2 x 14 (legal sized paper). I haven't used canvas, but I have used Osnaberg and it is thick like canvas.

    ReplyDelete
  45. O, darlin'...it is the story of my life. I start something that looks sooo simple and it always take me forever because I go against the grain when it comes to crafts. I don't have a crafty bone in my body...and my body NEVER likes me doing crafts. I try...every now and then, I think, SURELY I can do this...but...I CAN'T.
    Just lucky for me I have a VERY talented hubby.
    I think your pillow turned out GREAT.
    I'm over from the Picket Fence...:)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I have had that happen to me so I know how frustrating it can be....good that you just persevered and the result was good! The next one will work out perfectly I'm sure.
    cranberryblossom.blogspot.com
    Judi

    ReplyDelete
  47. What an ordeal! I must say all the projects that are a PITA turn out the best and your pillow more than proves that! Wowee, it's beautiful! I have never tried printing onto fabric. I'm a big fat chicken. Okay well maybe not the fat part but you get the point. I love your pillow! Now tell me if it's washable? I'm curious how you would treat it if it got dirty. I hope you will show this off at my VIP party today! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/08/vip-party-22.html

    ReplyDelete
  48. Oh and you've found a new follower in me! I'm just gushing over every corner of your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Love it! Would you share which font is used for the word "Paris"? I have never gotten the guts to try fabric through the printer as much as I would love to try.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Beautifully done! I'd really like to give this a try. Thanks for the tips!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thank you for sharing. It came out beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I love your pillow- it's perfect and so charming!! Well worth all the work it took to get it :) Thanks for linking up at FNF and sharing this!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  53. I just love this pillow. I will be featuring it tonight at my Sizzle into Summer party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love the pillow... and I did the same thing with my printer.... it got stuck big time.... The only problem is that if your printer ink is like mine, don't get it wet! I found that out the hard way. The image smeared and ran!
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love this pillow and at east you stuck with it-give you alot of credit for that !!lol

    ReplyDelete
  56. Just wanted to let you know I will be featuring you tomorrow on my blog:> Stop by and grab a button.

    ReplyDelete

Leave a comment and let me know you stopped by! If you are not on blogger, leave me your email or some other way of getting in touch with you in the comment. That way I can reply to your question or comment.