burlap projects | Beneath My Heart

Burlap Tiebacks with Interchangeable Flowers

May 6, 2011

10:17 am

Happy Friday, ya’ll!

If you missed this tutorial that I did for my fellow Kentuckian, Gail at My Repurposed Life, here it is!

I want to share with you how I made burlap tiebacks with interchangeable flowers that I made for my drop cloth curtains.

I got my inspiration for this project when I went shopping with Sarah, Thrifty Decor Chick, last month. We went to the Ballard Designs’ outlet store, and I almost bought these burlap curtain tiebacks that were on sale(picture below). One thing you need to know about me is I love burlap!

Then I came to my senses and said, “Why would I buy this, when I can make it!”

Oh, it’s the blogger in me.

I decided I wanted to make a flower with a little more spring flare, so I chose to make a pink one. (Or we can call it “Honeysuckle” which is the color of the year.)

You have probably seen how to make one of these silk flowers before in blogland. So have I, but I had never tried to make one for myself.

Can you say, F-U-N!

I had a blast making these flowers. (I may have even created a new obsession for me!)

I bought this costume silk at Walmart. I got 1/4 of a yard, and it cost me only $.67!

First, I cut out five circles of descending sizes and traced them onto my pink silk fabric.

Then, I cut five slits on each circle to create the “petals”.

Carefully hold each circle of material over a small flame, (a tea light works best) and let the heat singe the edges.

Follow the two steps above with each circle and then layer them on top of each other to create the flower.

The last step is to get a needle and thread to attach the pearl button in the middle of the flower. Start from the back of the flower so the knot in the thread will not be seen.

Precious!

To make the burlap tieback, I just cut a piece of burlap 9 inches by 30 inches, folded it longways, and stitched up 2 of the three sides, leaving a hole at one end to pull the material through.

Then I ironed it flat…right side out, and stitched up the remaining side.

I also made two little strips of burlap to create loops on the inside of each side of my tieback, so I could attach the tieback to the wall with a hook.

The only thing left to do was attach the “hook & eyes” to the flowers and tiebacks.

And now I have a beautiful burlap curtain tieback!

I had so much fun making that flower, that I made two more flowers using a different technique that I will be sharing on my blog in the future.

I sewed a “hook” on the back of each of my flowers, so I can change them out whenever I want. How fun!!

I can think of a million different kinds of flowers to make. Maybe red ones around Christmas?

What do you think?

Of course, you could used this same concept with a different type material, if you do not like burlap.

Let me know if you give it a try. :)

Have a blessed day!

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Burlap Bird Pillow

July 19, 2010

12:19 am

Well, I was inspired so much by the bird pillows that Suzanne from Just Another Hang Up made…

that I decided to try and make one for myself.

Now don’t go a thinkin’ that my pillow will look anything like hers, ’cause it won’t! I just wanted to make a pillow with a bird on it..that’s it folks! No fancy ruffles. :)

Since we stained our patio concrete floor brown to look like tile, I decided to use some leftover brown burlap material to make my pillow.

I followed Suzanne’s instructions and found a picture of a bird online. I found it by googling “bird silhouette” to see what would come up. When I found a bird that I liked, I printed it out on my computer.

Then I placed a cutting board underneath the paper, and cut out the shape of the bird with my exacto knife.

I cut two 14.5 x 14.5 inch pieces of burlap for my 14 x 14 pillow. The extra half inch on each side allows for the seam.

Next, I centered the bird cutout in the middle of the burlap.

Then I used some white acrylic paint I had and a sponge brush to paint the bird on the material.

brown burlap bird pillow

I wasn’t sure I was liking my bird, but I put the pillow together anyway.

I sewed the right sides together, leaving a big enough space in the seam to slide the pillow form in, then I sewed up the opening.

To be honest, I wasn’t real crazy about the way it turned out.

But she’s kind of growing on me! :)

The more I see the pillow outside on the patio, the more I kind of like her.

So I think I am going to keep her for now!

I found some pillows for my patio table and chairs at Target and Garden Ridge today that I think I like. I was hoping to have my patio finished already, but it is taking me fo-eva since I am now working full time this summer.

But I am getting close!

I am definitely going to visit Kimba’s DIY Day this week! She is hosting a special DIY Day–Outdoor Edition!

If you have an outdoor project that you have completed this summer, like a front porch or a back patio, then link up and join the fun!

I will be checking out all the great ideas!

Have a blessed day.
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