Here’s the story: I had two cream pillows I had bought from a garage sale for $1 each. They were nice.

But kids + cream pillows = homeless chic.

And I needed color in my new family room, so why not give them a little bit of happy?

 

I applied some painter’s tape to the pillow. Working with an already made pillow instead of fabric added a nice bowed touch to the stripes. I didn’t measure either, imperfection is an art. 🙂

Tape only one side for now, but carry the tape over slightly to the back.

I wanted to try chalk paint because I heard it works well on fabric. I used my Annie Sloan chalk paint sample from the Haven conference in “Arles”. Love this color!

Dip into the paint pot ever so slightly, and swirl and tap the brush into the lid.

Paint away from the tape in a soft, swirling motion. As soon as you’re done with the section, grab the tape,

 

 

and peel!

 

Let one side dry before you start the other. Look at that beautiful fading!

 

and here’s the pillow hanging out in its new spot with its garage sale pillow friend, and on my free RH couch 😉

and here it is chilling in the family room.

 

I loved how the chalk paint worked on fabric. There is a difference in textures when you move your hand across the stripes, but it’s not crunchy. And it looks like I bought it! Doug even asked when I went to Target with one of those glaring “really?” looks. NOPE. Made it mah-self.

Now, on to find more cream or white cheap pillows!

 

Have you painted pillows before?

 

This tutorial originally posted at Sand & Sisal. Thanks for letting me guest post, Kim! 🙂