Vintage Dresser Scarves Refashioned as Pillow Covers
I've had these beautiful dresser scarves sitting in a box for far too long. They were made by my husband's great aunt and it was time to showcase them. Since I don't use dresser scarves, I decided to make them into pillow covers.
Welcome to the 'Do It Over' Designers blog hop. We are a group of bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY. I'm happy to host this hop and I hope you'll visit everyone to see what they have to share with you. Their links will be listed at the end of this post.
What you'll need:
- dresser scarves
- matching fabric
- lace trim
- pillow inserts I used 16".
- scissors, pins, thread, sewing machine
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The first order of business was to give them a good washing. From laying around for many years, they were yellowed and one had a tiny stain on it. I hand-washed them using our regular laundry detergent and lukewarm water. One came out beautiful. The other still has the stain and a shadow of that yellowing, so for the sake of this post, I will be working with one dresser scarf.
I found unbleached muslin that was a good color match, washed/dried it and cut one 17" x 17" piece and a 17' x 23" piece. The 17" x 23" piece was then cut in half, making 2 - 17" x 11.5" pieces.
The 17" sides were hemmed and those pieces were set aside. For full instructions on how I make pillow covers look HERE.
The next step was to cut the dresser scarf to size, hem the cut edge, and center it on the muslin.
Sew.
Almost done!
Next some lace trim was added to the seams around the dresser scarf...
...giving it a more finished look.
With right sides together, the first 17" x 11.5" piece was placed.
Then the second one, overlapping the first.
A half-inch seam was sewn all the way around the outside. The corners were clipped and the pillow cover was turned right-side out.
The entire process was repeated for the second pillow cover and then they were place on the pillows.
Here's a peek at the back:
So much better than leaving them sitting in a box. Don't you think?
Before you run off, don't forget this is a blog hop and the rest of the team has some amazing upcycle/recycle/did-it-over projects to share with you. The links are all listed below:
Featured at:
Definitely better than sitting in a box! They are just the sweetest, Ann. I love the way you boxed out the pattern with lace, too. It's the perfect accent!! Thanks for hosting another super fun hop!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kim...and I have more sets! There will be no shortage of vintage pillow covers around here.
DeleteClever transformation! Thanks for hosting our hops!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patti. It's always a pleasure!
DeleteWhat beautiful work your husband's great Aunt put into these! So wonderful that you were able to showcase them. Love your pillows and the overlapping flap in the back is perfect for slipping these on and off!
ReplyDeleteThey really are beautiful and I'm so glad they no longer hidden away. The overlap is the only way to do pillow covers (in my opinion). So much easier!
DeleteWhat a beautiful vintage repurpose/refashion statement, Ann! Love how your pillows turned out! Your aunt would truly approve!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gail. I hope she approves!
DeleteThese are so pretty Ann! I thought about using some embroidered linens but I just didn't have much to choose from.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was thinking about recovering a journal - Great minds!! I actually still have more that she made so I guess I'll be making more pillow covers!
DeleteI love how your pillows turned out! What a great way to showcase those lovely dresser scarves. I've seen dresser scarves at thrift stores here but have never picked them up because I didn't know what I would do with them. Now I know! I'd love to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I hope you give it a try!
DeleteWow! What a great way to show off those sweet dresser scarves. Such amazing pieces upcycled into fabulous pillows. I love them!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tuula. I have a few more that still need a makeover!
DeleteThese are incredibly beautiful. You are so talented. I love these sweet pillows. Thanks for sharing at the Will Blog for Comments #31 linkup. Hope to see you next time, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Jennifer - happy to share!
DeleteThese turned out so beautifully and what a wonderful way to use and enjoy some old linen that wasn't being seen. Much better to reuse than just leave these kind of things in a drawer somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. I can't wait to make more with the other dresser scarves I have!
DeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteI love these...I may make some using the vintage embroidered pillow cases I have!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!! And thanks for stopping by!!
Happy Easter!
Hugs,
De
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Your pillowcases would be perfect for this project, Debbie. I'm always happy to inspire!
DeleteYou chose the perfect way to showcase your family vintage linens! They look great as pillows. I love the look of hand embroidery.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Allyson. The pictures really don't do them justice.
DeleteI love the way these turned out Ann! I have several scarves that were my grandmother's that she hand stitched, and some that were created by her mother. I do use them, but pillows are awfully enticing. I wish I could sew, it is on the list of things I want to learn some day. Isn't it amazing the attention to detail they had then? Oh.. to be that talented.
ReplyDeleteIf I can do it, so can you, my friend. This was all simple straight stitching! Go for it!
DeleteThese made for perfect pillows! So pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I'm looking forward to making more!
DeleteThis looks great. Fabulous way to use up old linen that is now 'out of fashion'.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's a shame to keep this beautiful work hidden away!
DeleteA lovely upcycle, your pillows look so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Claire. It so nice to have them out in the daylight!
DeleteI LOVE this idea, Ann... hope we get to see it at TTA! We miss you! Here by way of Senior Pit Stop. We have some changes going on at TTA starting next week. Hope I get to see you each week! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. I'm pretty sure I stopped by, but I will check!
DeleteI'm so glad you did! I'll be featuring your post at this week party! See you there!
DeleteThank you, Julie. I appreciate the feature!
DeleteGreat idea and they look wonderful!!
ReplyDelete-Soma
Thank you so much!
DeleteThat's beautiful. You're very clever! #TrafficJamReboot
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you, Lydia!
DeleteHow lovely and what a wonderful way to repurpose. Thanks so much for sharing at #WeekendTrafficJamReboot and I hope you are enjoying your weekend. x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteAnn,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting and thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts!! We definitely need them....Happy Easter to you and yours...
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
I hope you get some answers soon, Debbie.
DeleteLove this - I'm featuring you this week when the next To Grandma's house we go link party starts! Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tarah. I truly appreciate the feature!
DeleteI love this idea and these pillows! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lisa!
DeleteLovely! This post is one of my features for this weeks WTJR, thank you for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Melynda. I'll be sure to stop by!
DeleteAnn, I love that you gave new life to vintage items that would have stayed in storage otherwise.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your DIY vintage linen makeover at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring this post at tonight's party and pinning too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Thank you so much, Kerryanne. My goal is to save everything 'vintage'...I just keep running out of room!
DeleteThese are totally sweet, what a great idea for using pieces, one end is always wrecked on scarves...so this is a great solution! Sandi
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sandi!
Delete