DIY Shibori Pillow Covers - Refreshing Our Outdoor Space

This post is sponsored by Michaels Stores. I am a Michaels Makers project creator and was provided with store credit to purchase products for this post. All ideas and opinions are my own, and I only recommend products I would use again.

Our home came with an amazing backyard and two decks, perfect for entertaining. I recently announced that we're moving this summer. While looking at our listing photos, the outdoor space looked great, but could use a little refresh. Plus I'd like to squeeze in a few more play dates, parties, and get-togethers while here. 🙂

Each month I work with Michaels Stores as a Michaels Maker blogger; this month's theme is "pool-rific" so I took inspiration from deep blue water tones and the lush greens of summer. Our idea of a pool-rific time may be different than most:  lounging in an inflatable baby pool, getting pelted with water balloons, running through the sprinkler with grassy feet, and my favorite, collapsing into a comfy chair under twinkling lights at the end of a long day.  Lemonade optional. 😉

This space came together two years ago when I unexpectedly found this wooden outdoor set at a garage sale. Some of the cushions had been left outside and gotten faded, but I didn't want to buy new ones. These DIY shibori pillow covers were a great way to refresh the space.

The cushions were a mix of cotton covers found at Michaels and ramie ones I had on hand. The leaf pillows I found in the "Coastal Living" line at Michaels. I popped the covers right over my faded "outdoor" pillows and store them in a nearby storage bin each night so they'll stay nice.

I'll share more detailed instructions on folding and dying plus a video tutorial in a future post! Here's a close-up. I used three different styles of folding before soaking in Rit Dye 3x the regular strength.

The placemat/tea towel was a happy mistake. I used it to test the dye color while mixing and left the towel in there, it picked up a great ombre effect!

In addition to the tie-dye supplies, the accessories can be found at Michaels too: green garden stools, metal washtub filled with Bunch O' Balloons (our kids LOVE these!!!), drink umbrellas, reusable straws, and globe lights.

I'm so happy with how the space turned out. It feels fresh and summery, and ready for a backyard party. Or even just us sitting out here relaxing together. 😉

Whether you're looking for fun décor, activities for your kids or cute party supplies, Michaels has everything you need to MAKE summer fun! Looking for more inspiration? Make sure you visit Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the rest of the Michaels Makers’ summer fun project ideas: