DIY Anthropologie Pillow

Use an old pillow to get measurements for your Anthropologie knock-off.

Anthropologie sells high-quality women's apparel, accessories, housewares and decor with chic, eclectic and vintage-inspired design. In its home section, the store offers an array of pillows in rich patterns and colors, often with hand-sewn embroidery or embellishments. Prices may be steep, but you can create your own version with a few dollars and a trip to the fabric store.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing notions and supplies
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Iron-on adhesive
• Buttons or embroidery kit
• Scrap fabric

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of an old pillow for the size of Anthropologie pillow you want to copy. Write down the measurements.

2. Find a large piece of fabric for your pillow's base color. Purchase a piece from the fabric store, or salvage the material from a sheet, garment or other piece. Choose a basic jewel tone if you plan to add embroidery or patchwork, or choose an elaborate, vintage-inspired pattern that Anthropologie is known for.

3. Cut the fabric down to your measurements plus 1 inch on each side. Make two pieces this size. Lay the two pieces with the right sides facing each other. Pin and sew three sides together, leaving one side open for stuffing. Press your seams with an iron to set them.

4. Turn the pillow casing right side out if you're embellishing it at all. Study Anthropologie's current and past season pillows for inspiration for how to embellish your pillow. Rows of cloth ruffles, patchwork animals and flowers and ruffled blossoms are typical, though colors and subject matter changes from season to season.

5. Trace the outline of your subject on a piece of paper if you're going with one figure. Cut out pieces of patchwork in different shapes. Place the shapes on the figure like a mosaic, leaving space between the pieces for a patchwork effect.

6. Cut out pieces of an iron-on the size of the shapes, and trim them to fit. Iron the pieces onto your pillow in the same pattern as your template. Lightly outline the figure in pencil directly in the pillow, if needed.

7. For ruffled pillows, cut long strips of fabric the length of your pillow, then cut round, pointed or square shapes along one side, depending on your preference. Sew or iron on each strip on the pillow, one slightly overlapping the next.

8. Embroider a design on your pillow according to kit instructions, or sew bright, vintage buttons on the face for a playful Anthropologie pillow.

9. Turn your pillow right side in, then iron it on low to set all seams. Turn the case right side out one last time, and stuff the pillow with cotton or batting.

10. Fold the open edges in, and pin them together. Sew them closed.

Resources

• TipJunkie: 10 Anthropologie Inspired DIY Projects (Free Patterns)