Style Files // Burlap Accents

There are many ways to liven up your living space, even if you don’t particularly go for an elaborate display for any occasion. Sometimes simplicity with a dash of fun to set the mood works as a great décor accent for the home.

Since I had additional burlap left from an earlier project, I wanted to share one of two projects that I completed. I created miniature pillows as a centrepiece for our dining room buffet, which will have a more rustic setting for entertaining soon.  

Materials:

Burlap yardage 60-76 cm (Cut squares/rectangles, 2 pcs. ea.)

Iron-on transfers

Iron

Printer

Needle & thread or sewing machine

Ribbon-Optional (cut 2 pcs. approx. same Width x Length of cut pcs.)

Metal notebook fasteners 8 pcs./pillow

Filling (Batting see tutorial), Cotton balls approx. ½ pkg.

Method:
1. First, cut your burlap fabric in the shapes that you prefer with added seam allowance for sewing, (I cut squares and rectangles in varied scales anywhere from 12 cm-17 cm). You will need two pieces of fabric for each pillow (1 front and 1 back). 

2. Next, I created images to use with the iron-on transfers, printed them out, and placed my images on the fabric as I wanted them to be positioned. Then iron images onto fabric. If you need to cut out your images you may do so as well.

3. To embellish the pillows I used metal office fasteners. This also saves a lot of time. Insert one fastener at each fabric end inward from your seam allowance, this will be on the front side (face side). Close fasteners. I added ribbon to the back of my pillows (optional), and pinned the ribbon at the side seams and centre before sewing them together. 

4. Then turn both burlap pieces over so that they are facing (face side to face side) with image sides & metal fasteners toward each other. Start sewing along the edges of the fabric, leaving an opening on one side that’s at least 5 cm. It’s best to leave the opening in the middle, instead of at the corner, this way each corner will be similar and have a crisp point.

5. Cut excess fabric on edges, and trim corners close to thread edges (this will make your corners sharp for the next step). Turn inside out. Using fingers, make certain that all seams and corners are softly rounded or pointed (depending on the shape of your pillows).  Now, you can iron the pillows if necessary otherwise, fill each pillow with batting or cotton balls. If you use batting, then cut 2-3 layers of it roughly slightly smaller than your pillows. You can even scent each pillow with lavender oil, if you prefer. Pillows can be stuffed as little or as much as possible. To finish the pillows, hand stitch the opening of the pillows closed. That’s it!

What do you think of these burlap décor accents?