My sister-in-law and I took a day trip to Ancaster, Ontario and the fabric district of Hamilton this week and we came across an antique shop with a pile of vintage grain sacks. It was lovely to actually hold a real grain sack in my hands (I was surprised by the weight), but at $95 each they were way out of my budget.
I've seen many of these on blogs and decided to make my own faux grainsack pillow using leftover drop cloth fabric, grey craft paint and textile medium, painter's tape, a fine point artist brush and a stiff stencil brush.
The No. 8 was added freehand on a whim (I'm number 7 of 8 kids) and I like the results. I might just have to make a similar table runner for our updated dining room.
A simple envelope back makes the pillow easy to slip off and launder, an important feature with boys who visit barns and a dog who visits my garden. Next time I would go a little lighter with the paint/textile medium but I think the lines will 'wear' a bit in the wash and look even better.
Lovin' our new soft and squishy pillow, made for free with items I already had!
I'm linking with
Air Your Laundry Friday at Freckled Laundry
FeatheredNest Friday at French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Also linking to the 'Best DIY Project of August" at Beneath My Heart.
Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest
Also linking to the 'Best DIY Project of August" at Beneath My Heart.
33 comments:
This is beautiful Elizabeth. It looks right at home, too!:-)
Elizabeth, I *love* this pillow! You did an amazing job for the freehand "no. 8"
Beautiful work, as usual!
It looks great! I love that you added the No. 8. I think it “makes” the pillow!
LOVE how these turned out! I think I may give it a try myself. I love the look of old grain sacks but they aren't very available around here... I guess because of the lack of any kind of grain growing and need for them... and the french ones really don't come up!
Thanks for sharing how you made it,
~Chris
it looks great, love the gray...Lezlee
Those are lovely! I like all three of your pillows and the faux grain-sack is gorgeous! The No.8 is perfect.
I had no idea they were so costly, I have one, I wonder how much it's worth
Hugs, Cindy
Beautiful! I made one too but yours turned out so much nice! Love the grey and the number 8!
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for visiting and commenting on my blue jar. It is like yours! I'm so excited to finally have one. I love your pillow cover you made. Looks like the real thing. Good job on it! Blessings, Pamela
I love them!!! Just brilliant!!!!! :)
Those pillows are gorgeous! I love the No. 8 you put in the corner. You did an awesome job!
Lori : )
Thrifty Decor Mom
Beautiful job, Elizabeth!!! Real or faux - it looks just wonderful! :)
xoxo laurie
Great job!
I think it looks just awesome AND you saved 95.00!!
What a great idea! You did a wonderful job making it! WoW, you have given me some ideas...if I ever can find the time! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Trish
Beautifully done! The number is the perfect finishing touch! Coming over from The Shabby Nest and your newest follower.
Jeanine
Good for you, Elizabeth! I think these look great and convey the grain sack feeling perfectly. Love the No. 8 and your reason behind it!
I love this so much!! It looks so authentic! I featured you today in my Friday I'm In Love favorites.
http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2011/08/friday-im-in-love-week-11.html
- Jenn @ Social Salutations
Hey Elizabeth,
I ♥ this!!! I am really going to try and make some of these. But think I might do red, or maybe blue. Wow, now that I am thinking about it, there are so many colors you could try this with.
Thanks for the inspiration!!
XoXo,
Kristal
Absolutely positively LOVE these pillows!!! "Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery," right? Just remember that when I use your post for inspiration!
Deborah
visiting from
upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com
Hi Elizabeth, I am just delighted you stopped by for a visit. Aren't the true grain sacks outrageous in price? I adore what you did with your own two little hands. They are charming....in fact, your whole house is charming. I just spent time looking all over your pretty blog. Please come visit anytime. xo
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I love your pillows! Awesome idea!
Love your pillow - it looks fantastic and I bet you're enjoying it. You did a great job freehanding the "No. 8." Thanks for sharing the beauty with us.
Hugs,
Mary
Great job, I don't think many of us feel like that price is realistic. You really captured the look and feel for this. Love the gray. Thanks for linking up with VIF! xo Debra
Absolutely beautiful! Love this- you did a great job!! Thanks for sharing this at FNF! :)
Love it! Nice job with the freehand!!
That looks awesome! Might have to try that myself since I still have some drop cloth material left after repairing 2 director's chairs and making stamped leaf pillows. Thanks for sharing.
Simply beautiful! I would love to have pillows like that on my living room :) Great job!
I came over from my friend Traci's blog and I have really enjoyed poking around your blog! I would like to make a grain sack pillow and I love the added No. 8!
I LOVE this. Great job... love the number 8!!! Happy New Year!
I LOVE this. Great job... love the number 8!!! Happy New Year!
Thanks I found it! I guess you use fabric paint, or normal paint with a medium? I think I really want to try this for our living room or for our bedroom pillows! Thanks so much! And I love the little no 8
I love the pillow you made It's really clever. I too love old grain sacks especially the ones that have farmers initials embroidered on them. Some are so fancy with scrolls and such and some are so plain.All the best to you.
Bernice
Hi there! I am also located in Southern Ontario! Been pouring through your blog-you have a lovely home and great ideas! Been inspired to make my own chalk paint!!! I also take day trips to Ancaster and Hamilton and wondering what Antique store you are talking about that has the grain sacks-I myself would also love to see one in person!! ~Melanie
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