Have you ever been scrolling through Facebook.
Or Instagram?
Of life in general?
And you saw something that you knew would be perfect for your home.
If only.
If only you knew where they got it.
If only you could reach through the screen and grab it and plop it onto your sofa.
You’ve had that happen to you?
Oh, good.
Me, too.
Last week I was scrolling through Facebook and I saw this picture….
…of a pillow.
Don’t you love it?
Isn’t it perfect?
I blinked and blinked again and scrolled up to see where this amazing little bit of polka dots and pom poms came from.
It was my friend Patricia’s.
I immediately messaged her and asked her where she got it and could I get it and where in the world did pillows like this live?
She told me she got it at a local boutique.
A local boutique?
Wait?
I don’t have one of those around here with pillows with pom poms and polka dots.
And besides. Boutique sounds expensive.
So I did the next best thing.
I made my own.
Here’s my version of the pillow that I DIY’d sitting on my couch.
It appears navy in this picture, but it’s actually a little more royal blue in real life.
Want to know if it was easy to DIY?
Ummm.
Does no-sew tell you anything?
Here’s my DIY pom pom pillow I made in under 30 minutes.
Step 1:
Start with a pre-made pillow cover.
I bought this one at IKEA for $6.99.
It is a linen blend with a zipper.
Step 2:
You’ll need fabric glue.
I got this one a while back and it works really well.
You’ll also need to find tassel trim.
Step 3: Find trim
I got mine at Joann’s.
I bought three yards. There are 20 tassels per yard and you’ll need 25 mini tassels for this pillow.
It was a little mcpricy, so I used the app and got 40% off.
Never underestimate the brilliance of a 40% off coupon.
Step 4: Cut tassels
You’ll want to start by cutting the tassels off the trim.
Mine came with two beads and then the tassel attached with a blue thread.
I cut between the second bead and the tassel.
Step 5: Glue tassels
I laid out all my 25 tassels first.
5 rows of five.
I started with the one in the center first and then the ones on the center top and bottom and then the corners and then filled everything else in.
This pattern helped to keep it symmetrical.
Then I put a big blob of glue where my tassel was going to go.
Step 6: Smash the tassel
This is the secret to the entire project. You don’t want to glue your tassel down all nice and neat. Then it won’t look like a pom pom.
Instead, I took my tassel, put the end down in the glue.
And then?
I kind of smashed it into the glue so it looked more like a pom pom and less like a tassel.
Step 7: Repeat
Just repeat step 6 over and over and over again.
Until.
Until your pillow looks like this.
Here are a couple of things I might change after I finished two pillows.
1. I’d insert a piece of cardboard before I glued any tassels down. My pillow kind of stuck together. I got it unstuck, but cardboard would have made it easier.
2. Be sure and use a down insert with your pillow form. It makes the pom poms look so much more like they flow.
3. I bought three yards of trim, but I probably should have bought just 2 1/2 yards and saved a little bit of money.
4. After you finish the pillow, stand back and assess. Some of the tassels might need a little more glue and a little more smashing.
5. Be sure and let your pillow dry. I know it’s exciting. I get it. But let your pillow dry before you stuff the insert in and put it on the sofa.
Not that I would ever do anything like that.
You know how patient I am.
Right?
PS Did you notice I added a new light fixture? More details on that later.
PPS Did you ever make anything you’ve seen online before? I’d love to hear your story, too.
You are so clever! I love this! I think this pillow would look great in any room in the house in any color pom pom you could find. Thank you for sharing.
And wouldn't it be cute with a rainbow of pompom colors???
Girl, you are my queen. It makes my day to recreate something I've seen in a magazine or online - on the cheap! My latest was the wood bead garlands that hang on a bottle, with the colorful tassels at the end. I saw those and thought I can absolutely do that. I loved figuring out what to make the tassels out of and putting together different colors and figuring out how to attach all the parts. Fun!
Love it! Good thinking that you could DIY, but that's you:) I might try it. I have made your flag made out of shims a number of times...fun and everyone loves it! Don't tell me you DIYed the light fixture!!! I bet you could♥
WOW, WOW, WOW!!! BRAVO! This is SO cute and clever! I don't think I've EVER been so inspired by a DIY project and felt so like I actually could do it! ha ha ha! I actually have TWO off-white linen pillows that came with our sofa that I'm not using and are stuffed under a bed that would be perfect for this project! That will be a big WIN for me, but for the kitty who likes to hide under the bed on one of said pillows, not so much!!! lol.
This project is so adorable! Just love it, and you explained how to make it so well! I’m going out today and getting the materials to try to recreate it. I tried making a wood bead garland after I saw a pic of it online. That was also an easy and inexpensive DIY.
I was totally smitten when I saw Patti's pillow, too, And my wheels started turning. And then I saw your comment and then I knew... you're wheels were turning too! You beat me to it girlfriend! Great job! And would I NEVER have thought of your easy peasy DIY. That's why YOU'RE the rock star!! xo
How adorable! I've been wanting some new pillows for fall and these are perfect!! So much more fun, too, when friends drop by and comment on their adorableness that I can say I made them :-) and show them how. Thanks for the detailed instructions! And, by the by, I love Joanne's and their awesome coupons. I shop there so much, I keep the app on my phone to take advantage of their great deals.
Genius!!
Love, Love!! Left over yarn stash and self-made pom noms would work, too! Your living room is stunning!
pom poms*
Adorable! I think I might make one or two.... You are adorable too!
You are so talented!!! Love the pillow and it looks amazing. Thanks as always for sharing your diy with us.
Thank you for this!! I saw that pillow on Patricia's feed too and gasped because it's so cute! I'm going to try this. :)
Love this room! Love those pillows! Great idea!
You are right up my alley!!!
I just adore your smashed tassel pom pom pillow!! Yay for you!!! xoxoxo
Brilliant!!! I love this idea and would have never thought to glue them down. Thank you for this - opens my mind to so many possibilities!
Love this project! Just bought new indigo paisley comfy-cozy chairs for my mostly beige and white (and mostly traditional) living room. In trying to make beige, blue and white play nice, I came to your blog and found this fun decorating idea! Thank you!
I am curious about the chandelier. Is it new? Where did you find it?
Harriet, I'm going to do a post on it---but it came from Lamps Plus. Here's the link to it: https://www.lampsplus.com/products/kichler-alden-38-and-one-half-inchw-brass-6-light-linear-chandelier__1w564.html Happy day friend! karianne
Sorry not related to this post but I couldn’t find it in search. Could you tell me what kind of spray paint you use to get the gold brass look? Thanks
I love that pillow. I'm actually going to Ikea tomorrow to pick up a few things. I'll add the cover and insert to my list. Can you tell me what size it is?.
Mary, The cover is 20" x 20". It came from IKEA in their pillow department! Happy day friend! karianne
SCORE! I checked my stash and found 2 brand new 20x20 Ikea pillow inserts. I have several bleached drop cloths which are a beautiful cream color. I can make my own tassels. So, guess what I'll be doing this weekend? THANK YOU KARIANNE!
You always have me at NO SEW!!!!! So much cuteness with the tassels. Lisa
This is my next project!! Love it 😍 Thanks for sharing with us Karianne! I have made a knock off Ballard burlap memory/ideas board. Got a plain burlap board from Michael’s and also bought large bronze upholstery tacks. Eyeballed the spacing starting with the corners and center. Then just pushed them into the frame around the edges. Came out great and hangs in my office area Wayyyyyy less expensive and super easy.
I love it, what a fun pillow. I have one that I got at Target with brown tassels and it is fun too.
Once again....GENIUS!
ADORABLE!!!!! lOVE, love.love
Soooooooo cute, KariAnne!! Thanks for sharing. It's at the top of my DIY list.. 😊
Love the pillow, but the jury is still out on the light. It just doesn't seem to be your or your houses style, can't wait to see the whole room.
Love the new "blue" you!
Cute, cute, CUTE!
I think I have found the same trim at Hob Lob, if anyone is interested (item #319160). Don't throw away the leftover gimp trim from which you cut the tassels! I challenge you to make something with it :) I know you can!
The closest I can come to your DIY pillow project was... long ago during a visit to Target I saw a beautiful pillow (blue and white too) for more money than I could afford. A visit to the tableware section revealed napkins in the same print for about $2 a napkin. Ha! I bought 4 napkins and some navy fringe trim and made two pillows for less than one. I eventually sold them in a yard sale, but I'm always on the look out for napkins that would make great pillows. I am so inspired to go to IKEA and see what I can do with those pillow covers.
I can smash! :)
I came for the story, but am leaving with 2 new pillows. Thanks for always drawing me in to do these projects myself.
Wowsers! You are quick. I never would’ve thought of your shortcuts. In fact, I was thinking of sewing a drop cloth pillow and hand tying all kinds of pom poms before sewing them on. Thank you for the shout out my friend. Love you💓
Karianne, where do you get your pillow inserts? Does IKEA carry them as well?
Laurie, Yes! IKEA carries the pillow inserts as well. I think they are usually about 6.99. Hope this helps friend! karianne
Love the pillow I must I must.....however not totally into the light fixture but maybe it will grow on me. Always look forward to your blog!!
I love this project! Thank you 😊. Beautiful new light fixture ❤️
I love your new blue room!
I absolutely love this diy. Anyone one can tackle this and I can’t wait to try it myself.
I like the chandelier and think it adds a nice linear element to your space. I have always noticed light fixtures & they are like the room adding a good pair of shoes. And the heels won't wear out ever. Thanks for the pillow idea. . .. . . .which could be a winter project.
Love it! It's exactly what I need for my new guest room. Thanks for sharing this great project.
New light... took my breath away! It’s a great juxtaposition to the other design elements in the room (& house overall)...& I love that it’s not what one would probably expect to see! It’s like a perfect piece of statement jewelry (or shade of red lipstick in your case!) that just pops, taking the whole room (or outfit) to the next level...Perfection :)
What a really great idea. We have those plain pillows at Dunelm . We’ve just finished decorating and the lounge is lacking colour. Everything is white. . Im going to have a go! Thanks for the inspiration. Karen. at bramblegarden.com
Very cute. Wonder if it would have been easier and less expensive to get a skein of yarn and make pom poms? I think I'd sew mine on just coz that's the way I roll.
You are a genius, and we love you! You spread sunshine!
KariAnne you are rocking it girl!!! I am in love with your pillow.....and I am even more in love with how you made it!! I can't wait to make your pillow. It is absolutely adorable and looks like it came out of an exclusive boutique. Thank you for sharing. I love you!!! xo
Cute and clever...I would need to sew those tassels on though since I know I would worry them when I was feeling nervous about something!
Cute pillow diy, I noticed your new chandelier right away and wondered if I had missed a post about it. It is perfect for that room. xo Pat
Can't wait to go and find some tassels! KariAnne, thanks for another great DIY project! I think I am even going to make some for friends for Christmas! These pillows are so cute! Blessings!
You are amazing! Great take on that “Mud Pie” brand pillow! I’ve seen them but never thought of recreating it like you have. Keep on rocking it, friend!!
OH...HOW...I...LOVE...THIS!!! {breathe, Lynn, breathe!} Your living room si sooooooo awesome! Sweetie, it is gorgeous. It's comfortable, refreshing, cozy, and everything in between! It's as amazing as you are! And your pillow is wonderful! Thanks for the DIY! You are the bestest! :D ❤
OMG Karianne! This is so cute, adding this to my "must do" list. Thank you! XOXO Misty
Karianne I love how your mind works & the courage to go give it a try! YOU have inspired me so many times I can’t count!!!! I thank you 😊