by Beth Watson
Living in Florida, I am always incorporating coastal and sea life themes into my home décor pieces AND I love to upcycle items like old blue jeans, so this tutorial how to make starfish and sand dollar denim pillows is a project that is perfectly “ME”! These pillows were also quick and easy to make in just an evening.
Here’s What You Will Need:
- Kunin Eco-fi® Classicfelt™ 9” x 12” Craft Cuts – Cream and Sandstone (one of each)
- Starfish and Sand Dollar Patterns
- Beacon Adhesives Felt Glue
- Americana Acrylic Paint by DecoArt® in Sand and Sandstone
- Fairfield World Poly-Fil® Polyester Fiber Fill
- Pencil; Eraser; Permanent Marker; Scissors; Stabilo Aquarellable Pencil White; Paint Brush #2 Round; Ruler; Craft Knife and Self-Healing Mat; Scrap Paper (I used 8 ½” by 11 printer paper); Natural Rope Trim four pieces 9” long each
Here’s How To Make It
Step One:
Measure the width of the bottom of the legs of your blue jeans with a ruler. I used old boot cut jeans, so they are 9” wide. Measure up 10” from the hem and mark with Aquarelleable White Pencil. Cut with scissors. Measure and cut four lengths of natural rope trim to the width of your jeans (mine are 9”) and set aside.
TIP: Secure ends of rope trim with liquid glue to prevent fraying.
Step Two:
Download, print and cut out Starfish and Sand Dollar patterns HERE or draw your own coastal themed images. Trace Starfish onto Kunin Eco-fi® Classicfelt™ Sandstone and Sand Dollar on to Kunin Eco-fi® Classicfelt™ Cream with a permanent marker. Cut out images with scissors.
TIP: When using a maker to measure on to felt, cut inside the lines so you end up with a clean finished product.
Step Three:
Using patterns as your guide, paint on details using Sandstone colored paint on Sand Dollar and Sand colored paint on Starfish. Outline the edges with paint to make your images really POP!
TIP: To create perfect dots, simply dip the eraser end of a pencil and/or handle end of a paint brush in paint and pounce onto surface.
Step Four:
Apply Felt Glue to the INSIDE top and bottom edges of the blue jeans hem. Carefully insert the natural rope trim. Push down gently to make sure that the glue is grabbing the fabrics, then secure thicker edges with clothespins until dry.
Step Five:
Fill both pillows with polyester fiber fill. Apply Felt Glue to the INSIDE top and bottom edges of the blue jeans hem. Carefully insert the natural rope trim. Push down gently to make sure that the glue is grabbing the fabrics, then secure thicker edges with clothespins until dry.
Here is a detailed shot of the painted felt images – LOVE!
I hope you will use my Starfish and Sand Dollar Denim Pillows as a jumping off point to showcase your Kunin Creativity to upcycle other home décor pieces using felt accents and embellishments! Felt is an easy, versatile and forgiving medium which allows you to create affordable but trendy projects to incorporate into your home decor whether you are a beginner or an expert crafter!
Switch up the colors, sizes and shapes to place your own personalized creative spin on this Starfish and Sand Dollar Denim Pillow project – the possibilities are endless! And Mother’s Day is right around the corner!
You can now find an expanded color line of Kunin Eco-fi Classicfelt; Eco-fiPlus™ Premiumfelt and ShaggiChic non-wovens fabrics in cut by the yard at your local Walmart; please inquire as to what is available in your area.
If you like this project, make sure to visit my blog for more inspiration.
Thanks for stopping by! -Beth