Faux Grain Sack Pillow Tutorial & Frenchy Goodness

I think these faux grain sack pillows have been around blogland

for about 2 years (by Miss Mustard Seed and many others),

but I finally got around to trying to make one.

Mine is far from perfect, and I learned a few things in the process,

but it looks amazingly nice in the room - in spite of its flaws!

First, I taped off the places where I wanted stripes on a remnant of drop cloth.

note:  I cut my tape because it was too wide to have the

stripes close together.  Don't cut your tape - you can't get it straight.

 After sponge painting acrylic paint, letting it dry, removing it,

I washed it in the washing machine to

fade it a little (dried in the dryer, too).

I printed out my initials in Old English script.

Then I pencil shaded the back of the letters and turned them over and taped them to the fabric.

I traced and traced and traced to get the intials on the fabric. This wasn't so easy.

Next I tried to paint it free-hand (too hard).

I used a paint pen and went over what I had done. Much better.

note:  I used a thin-looking medium pen.  Next time

I would use a fine line - more control.

 I cut gros grain ribbon in (4) 18 inch segments

and used two closures for the pillow.

note:  probably 12 inches would have been fine.

I turned the raw edge under and stiched on both ends.

I already had a 14 x 28 inch pillow form,

so I put it in the pillow and tied the ribbons.

 We have an expression around our house

when there are small imperfections:

"A man galloping by on horseback would never notice."

I think it fills the space on the day bed perfectly.

I already had the drop cloth scrap,

the paint, and the pillow form - free.

I just got $1 worth of ribbon.



I was thrilled to get 2 leather French books.

This is "Contes" by La Fontaine. (1892)

He is well-known for his fables (like Aesop) that all French students read and study.

These are tales or stories that were also popular.

 This little book is "Petite Nièce" (1909), which means "Little Niece".

I know nothing about it except that its read leather and gold edges are pretty.

I'll have to read the book.

They were a great addition to my collection for just $4 each.

Have a great week.

Blessings,

Linda

Joining:

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures

A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday (does bed-top count?)

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday