DIY: Pillow Makers Workshop

Heads up! Pillows are hot. Every season there’s a new look for pillows and various other home furnishings. That might be an exaggeration. Sometimes, the powers that be simply remix stuff to make you think there’s a new look. Not that long ago,  I asked my studio neighbor if he saw anything new and exciting at Highpoint Market. His response-a hard NO. I have trouble believing there was nothing new, but then again, it doesn’t feel like there’s any new interior design trends in the air other than a renewed interest in curvy upholstered furniture sporting the 80’s vibe which, back in the 80’s claimed to be Art Deco.  My friend calls it Mid Century Modern, but that’s pretty much a catch all for anything not traditional. And, obviously, marble top tables are tagging along for the ride. Below is a vintage and currently popular waterfall bench designers are scrambling to find. Remember these? We thought they were gone for good. If you have one, or a pair, they’re the statement pieces modern homeowners are dying to find.

But, let’s get back to talking pillows and, more specifically, how knowing how to create your own personally designed pillows is a life skill equal to checking the oil in your car.  You don’t have to do it often, but knowing how to do it makes you feel very self assured and capable.

So what are we seeing in the way of throw pillows, or scatter cushions, as they say in Great Britain? Here’s what I’ve seen all around the interior design sites. It’s pretty much ANYTHING GOES.  Nobody should feel any pressure to follow interior design trends, however, the pillow change out is one of the easiest and fastest ways to completely tranform the feel of a room.

Here’s what I see: All things chinoiserie-you know, imitation Chinese motifs. The blue and white seems to be the most popular. Needlepoint pillows are on a comeback tour, and personally, I prefer the ones that don’t look like Granny’s tired old sofa pillows. Screenprints are still in–lots of dots, leaves, squiggles, dragons, kilim rug pillows,  anything unique and really, anything vintage that has some tiny update to it. Flora, zebra or tiger patterns, faux fur, solid velvets. You get the picture–there’s nothing really that is THE trend in pillows, except for eclectic. That wins no matter what. Grandmillenial style is driving the bus and has shoved Mid Century Modern over just a little bit. However, MCM is still a force to be reckoned with.Wondering what Grandmillenial is?

“According to Ariel Okin, a Manhattan-based interior designer, a grandmillennial is simply a “New Traditionalist—someone who has an appreciation for the past.” In essence, grandmillennial style celebrates traditional decor, and often references the work of iconic interior designers.”

-gabbyhome.com

Your guess is as good as mine as to why bunnies are becoming popular in home decor. Eee Gads!  Do you suppose they’re the new Rooster craze? All I’m sayin’ is that I spied a table runner at Goodwill this morning with texture-y pile tan bunnies on a lighter tan linen. I just might have to go see if it’s still there. (3.99) After combing Pinterest, Google, Chairish, and other sources for a good feel for things, it turns out that buyers (these Grandmillenials) like this sort of thing to add a real vintage note to their space. Maybe they’re channeling their grandma or something. Done right, I can see it.

If you don’t know, there’s a big difference in quality between poly filled pillow inserts and down filled inserts. You’ll always pay more for down pillows. Target, HomeGoods, Wayfair might be cheap, might look trendy, but I’m encouraging you take a minute to feel the difference, check the seams, the zippers, the cushiness so that you can tell the difference.

I don’t teach students how to copy mass produced stuff or how to make mediocre quality home furnishings. The point of my entire business is to teach you how you can create your own high quality, custom home furnishings. (I like the word ‘furnishings’ better than ‘decor’.) I was once where you are. I wanted to upholster the rocker for my daughter’s nursery, I wanted to make the pillows to layer on our brand new (impractical) white sofa and loveseat, I wanted to make all the bedding for my kids’s rooms. Not only to save money, but because I knew how I wanted it to look and the only way I could get there was to do it myself.

I encourage and teach you how to bravely step into being your own designer and creator. I’m talking about well made pillows that you might find in a trendy home furnishings boutique in New York, or some other fancy city shop. The guy in the shop next to mine sells high end pillows filled up with deliciously plum down pillow forms. You may never see another pillow like the ones he sells. The funny thing is, I’m right next door and teach women how to make their own high end pillows.  OK. Have I brainwashed you enough so that you’ll stop and think it over when your cart is loaded with meh imported pillows at Target? I implore you–JUST GO THE EXTRA DISTANCE and be exceptional in what you put in your house, won’t you already?!

All you need to do now is to learn a few necessary skills to create you own fancy throw cushions. Believe me, it’s a super valuable, useable life skill. If I’m 80, still living, and I love my home, by golly, I’m going to make my own jazzy throw pillows when I need to spruce up the joint. If you can sew, you have interior design power.

Since I’m on a pillow tangent, I might just add that there are a few simple pro tips and tricks to help you easily create spectacular throw pillows.  I’ve sewn since I was 9 and I’ve taught women, teens, and boys to sew since I was 25. Just think of all the yummy textiles out there calling your name. You could even justify a trip to Paris to hunt down one of a kind textiles for your sewing dreams.

As always, trends in interior design don’t need to be heeded as quickly as fashion dictates, so don’t get anxious that you need to change your decor every year. However, switching up little trendy pieces, like pillows, can keep your space looking smart and well cared for.

Are you up for it? Just click on Studio Classes and save your space.