Happy Monday!
I had a lot of comments about the pillows on my headboard bench. Particularly the monogrammed bolster pillow. If you don’t know what a bolster is, don’t worry, I didn’t know that is what they were called either until just a couple weeks ago when the first comment came in! I was like, “What?!” I had to turn to Google to find out what my reader was talking about when she said she loved the bolster! It’s basically a cylinder-shaped pillow {which is what I had been calling it – OOPS!}.
Here’s the one I made, that I used to decorate my headboard bench. M for McAliley {pronounced mac-uh-lilly} and our family was established in 2004 when the hubs and I were married. These are actually really easy to make. Here is what you’ll need.
, 
and 
and ribbon.First I used my Cricut
to make the monogram stencil. Simply place the freezer paper on the mat {shiny side down}and cut out whatever you want transfered to your fabric. If you don’t have a cutting machine, you can certainly trace or print a letter on the freezer paper and use an xacto knife
to cut it out.
to make the monogram stencil. Simply place the freezer paper on the mat {shiny side down}and cut out whatever you want transfered to your fabric. If you don’t have a cutting machine, you can certainly trace or print a letter on the freezer paper and use an xacto knife to cut it out.
Once you have your letter cut, place it on the fabric and use a hot iron {steam off} to adhere the freezer paper to the fabric. *Note: the freezer paper did not completely stick to burlap. I used packaging tape around the edges to help keep it in place.
If you’ve never stenciled before, there is a technique to help ensure the paint does not bleed under the paper. Squeeze a small puddle of paint onto a plate. Dip your brush in the paint and use a rolling motion to cover bristles in paint. Dab off excess on the plate and gently apply to fabric using dotting and circular motions.
Once the paint is dry, remove the freezer paper. {I had a little boo boo with one of my zeros. I used a wet tissue to try to remove some of the paint. Ooops, mistakes happen!}
Measure and cut your fabric to the desired size and sew a hem around all edges. If you do not have a sewing machine you could do this with hemming tape. {Because I used burlap, I added an extra layer of fabric so that it wouldn’t be see through. That is the extra “flap” you see.}
Fold the fabric in half horizontally making sure your monogram is on the inside. Pin the edge and then sew. Invert the fabric so your monogram is now on the outside.
Slide your pillow into the center of the sleeve leaving equal amounts of excess fabric on each side. If you do not have a pillow to use, you can use a sheet of Styrofoam or poly fil batting. Just roll it into a cylinder to fit inside your fabric.
Secure the ends of the pillow with ribbon.
Now proudly display your new bolster pillow in your home! And be sure to use that word so you sound super smart! Okay, maybe I’m just super dumb! 
Hope your week is off to a great start! I made it through to the final round of American Crafter at Nap Time Crafters! Thank you so much to all my readers who took the time to vote! This week’s challenge. . .
adorable!
LOVE it…love the toile as well…thanks for sharing…Mariaelena
That's such a good idea! It's looks so pretty. Where do you buy burlap?
What a great project!
Way cute… and such a quick and easy project!
Maddie
LOVE IT! SO CUTE!
Too cute. That looks like the fabric I picked out at Hobby Lobby. I think I might use your pillow combo. I'm trying to lighten up my dark leather couch.
that is so cute!!!! i need to try that one day.
so cute! LOVE it!
I really like your bolster(LOL I would have had to google it too!)Great tutorial! Now I know what to do with my extra burlap and thank goodness for hemming tape since I can't sew even if my life depended on it!
Super cute! I love anything with a monogram (mine is an M, too!), and this pillow is adorable. Thanks for sharing!
I am so in love I have round pillow that this would be perfect for. Thank you for hsaring. I pinned it.
A mommy's life…with a touch of YELLOW
tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com
that is so pretty!! i do really love it
xx
Super pretty !! I love it! Follow me back! Super blog!
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Love this!!! I had to share on my FB page yesterday! (Sorry – blogger issues and couldn't comment then!)
i love that you repurposed your old bolster (i used the word!) pillow. it looks great on your bench. great work! found you via creative estates' tweet about your mod podge purse makeover.
i'm a new follower!
jamie @ backless shirt
Lovin' the round pillow!! Good job!
Love it! Burlap is awesome isn't it?
Visiting from the Someday Crafts linky.
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So easy! I love burlap right now… I use it on too much possibly… But I can't help it.
http://www.daughterbydesign.blogspot.com
Love it! The ribbon ties on the sides are too cute!
love the monogram! love the burlap! LOVE the bolster! would love you to link up at our new party!!
http://itstoilegood.blogspot.com/2011/05/whatcha-workin-with-wednesday-new-linky.html
Love everything about that 1st photo! The cylinder shaped pillow, the other pillow and from what I can see of that bench, I know I'd love it too!
~Melissa
Love this idea~ really love it! Your pillow is wonderful~ love the monogram and the picture with it on your bench is fantastic! I just blogged about monogram love too!
Very cool! I love bolster pillows. Burlap is so fun, too. Good job!
That turned out really good, Jen! I've got two huge bolsters on a daybed that I want to cover and I love the idea of the stencil.
visiting from Tatertots and Jello linky! : )
I love this! What a great idea, this is exactly what I was looking for…I wanted to make a burlap pillow with a simple design on it and this is perfect!
Gorgeous (both pillows)! Your burlap seems to be a much nicer quality than what I find locally. Thank you for linking with Air Your Laundry Friday! – Jami
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I lovr your site. I have been looking for more fun ways to use my cricut, especially the leftover vinyl from projects.
Cute! Thanks for sharing. I had been wondering if you could use freezer paper on burlap.
Visiting from The CSI Project.
~Carissa
Carissa's Creativity Space