Saturday, December 10, 2011

Stocking Pillows–tutorial & a giveaway!

This is a re-post of a tutorial for my Pottery Barn knock-off pillows that appeared on Craft Gossip in November.

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Pottery Barn has terrific pillows, no doubt about it. However, they also seem to be rather fond of their pillows, based on the price they put on them! For example, their Knit Stocking Lumbar Pillow cover is $49.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow

Yep, just the cover—pillow not included!

I actually visited the store (for the second time in my life) to get a closer look at this pillow. It’s SUPER cute, but really there isn’t anything too difficult about the construction or design.

So…I decided to make my own!

The little knit stockings are (obviously) what make the whole pillow. I visited a couple of local thrift stores and bought sweaters that had small-scale cable patterns.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

And what else? Skirts! I could have gone to a fabric store and bought off-the-bolt fabric for the pillow slips. But I’m lazy; I was already AT the thrift store!

Pillow inserts came from IKEA. The FJDRAR inserts are 16” x 24” and cost a whopping $3 each.

I drew a stocking shape on a scrap of tissue paper for my pattern. I pinned my pattern so the bottom hem of the sweater would become the top of the stocking—less finishing work that way.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

Pin the wrong sides of each stocking together, stitch around the edges (by hand or machine), and voila! Three little knit stockings.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

I used another scrap of sweater material to make the stocking hangers, but you could use a loop of ribbon or yarn or twine.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

To make the pillow slips, you want to add 1” to the width of your pillow form (1/2” on each side for a seam allowance), but about 4” to the length, to allow for the hem and the buttons. Here’s a tip, though—if you’re using the IKEA pillow forms, they aren’t very “full,” so I actually didn’t add any extra for seam allowances—that allows me to stuff the pillows a little fuller.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

If you are using a skirt like I did, make sure to take advantage of the already-finished hem for one side of your pillow, and you can even use one of the side seams for your top seam. (Don’t forget that you don’t need that 1/2” seam allowance then. Don’t worry if you mess up; pillows are very forgiving.)

It’s easier to stich on your stockings and trim if you leave either the top or bottom seam unfinished. Lay everything out and be generous with your pins! I stitched the trim down first, and then I “tacked” the stockings in place by stitching back-and-forth-and-back-and-forth for about four stitches at about four places around the stocking (right near the edges). This could easily be done by hand as well. And the trim? Well, I gave strong consideration to using hot glue!!

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

Isn’t it amazing how the colors changed mid-project?? Must be Christmas Magic!

The last step in completing your pillow is to add the buttons on each side. If you want to be able to re-use the pillow insert, you can use real buttonholes, or you can just stitch the buttons on through both layers of the pillow cover! And what you choose to do may depend on what kind of day you’re having… (guess what I did??)

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

Ta-da! Here’s my Pottery-Barn knock-off.

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

But why stop there? There are a whole lot more options when you’re making them up as you go along! I loved this combination of red with a subtle gray plaid (from another skirt)…

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

…or you can make it even easier by using a pre-made pillow cover (this red velvet one was $7 from IKEA) and just dress it up with the stockings! (See the candy cane? these are functional, baby!)

And maybe you can add some jingle bells since this one didn’t get buttons!

Pottery Barn Stocking Pillow Knock Off

I had fun making the three pillows, but quite honestly, the gray one doesn’t go anywhere in my house! But I thought maybe one of YOU might like it!

If so, simply leave a comment here! Tell me…what one gift would you most like to GIVE this year if you could? Let me know, and you’re entered to win. Giveaway will end Thursday, December 15. Please leave your e-mail if you don’t have one linked up!

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Linking up here:

Coastal Charm’s Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Topsy Turvy Tuesdays
Someday Crafts’ Whatever Goes Wednesday
Hookin’ Up with House of Hepworths No Minimalist Here’s Open House Thursday
Friday Remodelaholic
My Simple Home Life’s Simple Creations Friday Sisters of the Wild West
Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special The DIY Show Off
I Heart Naptime
Beyond the Picket Fence’s Under $100 Party My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Perfectly Imperfect {Primp}
My Repurposed Life

67 comments:

Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures said...

I would give my friend who is dying of cancer in hospice complete healing and health. Love the pillows. Very cute.

sassyshortgirl said...

I would like to give my brother and sister-in-law money enough to pay their medical bills (she is in kidney failure)... and therefore give them peace of mind and one less thing to worry about. Unfortunately, it's not something I am able to do for them.

Karena said...

Korrie I absolutely adore this pillow and I saw it at Pottery Barn as well! Great job Bravo!! Would love to have it in my home!

I love giving beautiful scented candles. I am taking one to my hairdresser today!


xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Emily said...

So, so cute! A really nice way to make use of baby's first socks too :-) A nice baby shower gift or something similar

Emily
emilysummers-designer.blogspot.com

Mammy said...

This is my first visit to your blog. Love it. Love the little grey pillow. It would look gorgeous on my red couch.

My daughter-in-law is due to be released from prison in January. I'd love to give her six year old son the gift of an early release for Mom.....

Wicked Faerie Queen said...

Lovely Giveaway. We just lost our beloved dog Duffy the other day. We all miss him so much. If I could give one gift it would be to have him here on Christmas day, we would all love that.

Have a happy Christmas,
Sue

wickedfaerie13@gmail.com

From G2B said...

Awesome job on those! I practically feel crippled, not being able to sew- you made that look so easy!!
It's not one gift, but if I could give anything- I'd want all the kids to have presents this Christmas...

Unknown said...

Now THIS is total awesomeness!! You know I like me some upcycle! Adorable....and super great tut too!

BumbleBeeLane said...

I would like to give a gift of cash to my dad with cancer to pay off his bills through the winter so he didn't have to worry..Now onto a fun gift I'd love to give hubby a new TV as he drools and drags me to look at them any time we are in the store..smile..Warm Blessings!~Amy

Phyllis said...

I was really eyeing that red and gray pillow...then I read further and see that you are putting it in a giveaway! Fantastic cause it would be perfect for my daughter who loves anything red!
I would love to be able to give my mom a vacation somewhere warm. She has just finished radiation treatments for her breast cancer.

lorraine said...

i love those pillows! hmm..id love to get some yarn for christmas..there are so many projects id love to start :) raineoc@yahoo.com

The Rusty Thimble said...

OH I love the gray pillow it would look wonderful in my home.
Please add me to the list of entries

If I could give one gift it would be to give my hubby a shop building so I could reclaim my storage building to be turned into a studio

But that is selfish if I could give a gift, It would be for all loved ones that are off to war to be home with their families for mamas and daddies to be able to be with their children

Brenda

Allison@FabRehab said...

I would love to give my sister, her husband and my nephew 3 plane tickets so they could be here in MN with us. Great giveaway!

Unknown said...

They are all adorable. While I love the neutral one, the red and grey would suit the new colours I am using in our guest bedroom. Thanks for the chance! The one gift I would love to give is a new wheelchair for one of our special needs students at school who has outgrown his (plus it is falling apart.) Have a great weekend!

Debbie refreshrestyle said...

Thanks for the giveaway, I'm tearing up reading what the above commenters want to give...so my gift would have to be that they all could give their gifts!
Debbie

SImple and Serene Living said...

Love the pillow. I would give my daughter healing form her primary immune deficiency.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I would give more gift cards if I could! Everyone likes one from Walmart or a restaurant! And I have 2 red sofas...wouldn't that gray pillow be PERFECT on one of them! WOW! I love it! ♥♥♥

eleven-o-one said...

LOVE them! Yep, not a big fan of PB prices. You rock!
Fran

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

Gray would go in my house!
The gift I'd like to give most this Christmas is hope for a better year for my sister. She's had a really rough time the last few years.

ChRiS said...

pillows are adorable.....my sister-in-law has been dealing with cancer off and on for 10 plus years i would like to give her health and good fortune and to pass it on to another cancer victim....

hilary@oldhousetruelove said...

so darn cute!

Rachel said...

Oh I could make it fit in mine! :D

Okay I am laughing! I thought you knit all of those little socks!!! You're talented enough!

bj said...

awww, sweetie...you've done it again. My talented, little friend...this is adorable.
xoxo bj

Karyn said...

Loved it before and still love it.

Carol Stuck said...

Love the pillows. Such a cute idea. You are full of talent!!!

My christmas gift....A heartfelt wish that my niece would have the strength of character to beat an adiction so she could be reunited with her young son.

holiday hugs!

teachingandthrifting said...

This Christmas I am just looking forward to a great new year with new beginnings. I do want a new bag for work though if I had to pick one thing :)

Gypsy Heart said...

Still love these, Korrie! Would look great on my red sofa. :-)

IF I could give anything this Christmas, it would be for all the homeless, especially children, to have a home with food to eat, warm clothes and to know they're loved. Every child should have toys!

xo
Pat

Shanea said...

Super cute! Love the little stockings.

I would give genuine happiness to everyone who has been struggling for inner peace.

Renea said...

I would give the gift of jobs to my son and his wife. They have both graduated from college and are looking for jobs so they can use what they learned in college. My son is looking for an IT job and my daughter-in-law is looking for a job in College Administration (she has her Masters.) Thanks for the great giveaway.

alltheseboys said...

What cute pillows! Your so creative. I sure could find a spot for the gray one!!

The one gift I would give is a fluffy white puppy to my son. He want's one so badly..however we live in an apartment and can't have dogs!! Katie

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Oh my goodness!!!!

Yours are so much cuter than Pottery Barn!! I would never have thought of using and old sweater!

Anonymous said...

I just love your blog! If I could give one gift for Christmas, It would be to give peace to everyone in the world and the strength to bear their trials.
shellieblakely@gmail.com

Sandi @ The Primitive Skate said...

Love the pillow. It would look wonderful in my house, Lol!

I would give a gift of a job to my oldest son who is having trouble finding a good, decent job.


sandraallen260@centurytel.net

wisp said...

I would give my friend Julie the money she needs for speech therapy rehabilitation. These pillows are so cute! :)

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Your pillows are adorable Korrie! I keep seeing things made from thrift store sweaters, but doesn't the knit fray and unravel when you cut it? ... I always thought the best thing about being Oprah was the ability to give gifts so freely to others. I'd much rather give a great gift than receive one. And at the holidays, I'd focus on kids. Every child should feel the wonderment and magic of waking up on Christmas morning with gifts from Santa!

eao219s said...

Love the pillows and totally agree about Pottery Barn prices! I have to agree with some of the other comments and just wish I could give everyone the one thing they want for Christmas.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What a great tutorial. Love the sweet little stockings and gorgeous pillow. I think it would fit in just right in my home. I wish I could give every family with loved ones serving in the military a Merry Christmas reunion.

Vanessa said...

Love those pillows! Nice job on them! I'm a newbie on the sewing machine so I'm sure to be frustrated! :)

If I could GIVE any one gift this year, it would probably be to get my sister, brother in law and niece and nephew into their own place. They are staying with my mom and brother in a 2 BR apt...tight fit!

Vanessa
http://daily-dilly.blogspot.com
vanessa.ranee@gmail.com

Tracie said...

If I could I would pay off all of the student loans for my son!

Wanda said...

Your pillow is very cute!!! I'll love to have my mom here for Christmas!!!
best regards,
Wanda

Mimi@blueroofcabin said...

Love the pillows, gray would be perfect at my place. So cute.
Hmm what gift would I like to give, Love that's all we need right.

Upscale Downhome said...

Love these! I shared on Twitter and would love to win the one that doesn't go in your home! I have a gray living room! Thanks for the opportunity. Good luck to all!

Megan Gunyan said...

Korrie! These are awesome! I love the gray one. If I could give someone anything it would be something handmade! I'm always thinking of getting into the handmade-gift giving spirit, but time and energy always win! Next year, I'll be on it. :)

Paulette said...

Amazing, your pillows look just as good if not better than the more expensive one. I love the color red so of course the red one is my favorite.

Hi I'm Amanda said...

Adorable!

I'd give my hubby the gift of a truck hes been wanting for years... but other stuff always comes in the way and more kid friendly vehicles seems to happen =)

juan said...

I'd gift my daughter chiavari chairs for her wedding

amberflora said...

I would love to give my son an ipad..he loves his meme's :) Merry Christmas to you!

MissLeslieMarie said...

Love the pillow - you did a fabulous job on the faux pottery barn look!

One Christmas I hope i'll be able to give my parents a new bathroom - my dad is in a wheelchair, and just taking showers or using the restroom in a non-handicap-friendly restroom for 10+ years has been a daily burden. I'd love to have the money to gift them at least that.

teampr8 said...

My father in law's health has deteriorated in the past few weeks, I would love to give him the gift of health. Since that is a bit unrealistic, I would love to redo our basement to give our kids some hangout space with their friends.

Trisha said...

Fantastic pillows...way to go on creating your own! I wish I could give my parents a grandchild for Christmas. I say my prayers everyday that I will be able to someday soon!

~Trisha

April @ PolkaDots n' PinkySwears said...

I would love to be able to afford my kids a PS3 they've been wanting.

sherry L. said...

So cute!! I would get a doll house for my little girl lilsis_75@Hotmail.com

Rhissanna said...

These are seriously brilliant! I'm always scared of sewing on knitting, in case it unravels, but you've given me confidence and I might have a go!

Marilyn said...

LOVE LOVE this.. SO creative.. .Stopping in from Tuesday linky.. Great creative blog you have here.. I'm officially your newest happy follower.. I'm Marilyn via http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com.. Hope you can visit sometime.. Off to indulge in more fun around here.. TY.. Happy Tuesday..

Carol said...

I would love to be able to pay my Brother-in-laws medical bills for his cancer treatment. My sister has not been able to work during his treatments either because someone has to be with him 24/7 so their bills are piling up.

Eleonora Boiserie & C. said...

a wonderful way to re-use recicle of baby's socks: bravissima!

Ruby Jean said...

That's adorable and would also make a Great baby gift... :) would love for you to share it here http://shoprubyjean.com/2011/12/sew-crafty-tuesday-linky-party1/

Kathleen said...

I would love to pay off the debts of someone I know...

Unknown said...

I am a new follower via Primp Linky. If I Could, I would give the US government the knowledge and religious and ethical beliefs that are needed to settle the budget and get the good old USA back on her feet!!!! Thanx for sharing such a wonderful giveaway. Enter my name in the stocking. Tiffany

Beth said...

I finally remembered to become a new follower...doh! Anyway, if I could give one thing for Christmas, it would be (much) lower fuel prices!! Doing that, would have a positive snowball effect on the economy for everyone!

Full Circle Creations said...

So very cute! Thanks for the tutorial. I just bought my first sewing machine so now I don't have to go use my mother's that is 60 years old!

Holly

Teri said...

Thanks for the awesome tutorial. I would love to give my parents and my husbands parents the gift of good health for Christmas. They are older and I would love for them to be healthy !
Thanks for the giveaway...the grey will go great in my home!

Mindi said...

One gift that I would like to give is.....to my Mom. One day with my Dad who passed almost five years ago.

Holly Days Closet said...

I love the pillows. I like to give my family a simpler life style, to be able to live in a place that we want.
Holly

Jen said...

I would give all those families who suffer with bipolar children a miracle. It is a disease close to us and my heart breaks when I think about the suffering those children go through. I would want them to have their children back -- full of joy and happiness and life.

Alicia Seeley said...

I as a mother of 3 boys would love to give other mothers the help they need at this time to help give their children what they deserve at Christmas, A happy memory and a toy to enjoy!!!
aseeley60@yahoo.com

imsteelefullofscrap said...

I love your pi;lows all my gifts are handmade for family and friends but this beautiful pillow I would have to keep for myself and even wrap it up and be surprised when I opened it!!