My childhood summers smelled like freshly cut grass and marigolds, and every time I get a whiff of them while walking through the garden center of my favorite hardware store, it takes me right back. I’ve got a few marigolds planted on my back porch, but I wanted to find a way to enjoy them even after their blooms faded. So I decided a floral flat lay pillow was exactly what I needed to add a fun reminder of those carefree, childhood summer afternoons to our space.
To ensure a beautifully printed pillow, we partnered with our friends at Canon USA to show how detailed and vibrant these fabric printed photos can be. I knew my marigolds would offer a beautiful texture when grouped tightly together as well as a saturated hue. I also wanted to experiment with daisies and a succulent for a variety of patterns, and I love how well the details showed up. My PIXMA iP8720 printer always prints rich color on photo paper, so I wasn’t too surprised that it handled fabric like a pro.
Supplies:
-1 roll of cotton twill photo fabric
–Canon PIXMA iP8720 photo printer
-1/4 yard of canvas fabric per pillow
-1/4 yard of white cotton fabric if your other fabric isn’t very thick (optional)
–12 0z. bag of Poly-fil
-sewing machine
–hand-stitching needle
-thread
-straight pins
-iron and ironing board
Decide what kind of flowers or other pattern you want to photograph, and then arrange them on a white or colored surface in even, natural light. You can use a white foam board to bounce light off from a dark angle to help diminish shadows, but I had a white wall behind me and a white bedspread on another side, so I didn’t use one in this photo. If you want a small pattern, shoot from further away and if you want a larger, detailed pattern, go for a close up. I took a close up of my succulent, and then cropped it tightly before using Photoshop to edit it. The black and white effect really lets the pattern steal the show.
I cut off an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of fabric from my roll and printed one succulent print, one daisy print, and three marigold prints. I turned the first two into small, decorative pillows, but I wanted to make more of a bolster pillow with the marigolds.
The fabric has a paper backing so it fits into the printer just like standard computer paper. Once it has printed, peel the paper backing off evenly so you don’t stretch out your fabric.
I laid one marigold print on top of the other with the printed sides facing each other and pinned along one of the long edges, making sure my photos were even. Then I stitched down that line about 1/4″ from the edge.
I then repeated that step by placing the third marigold photo on top of one of the prints, lining up my edges, and pinning down the long side. I made another stitch with 1/4″ seam from the edge. Then I folded it back and used my iron to press both of the seams flat.
The next step from the fabric paper manufacturer asks to rinse the fabric for 30 seconds or until the water runs clear. Don’t make the mistake of rinsing it longer than that or it’ll really fade. You could also use 3M Scotchguard Fabric Protector to ensure you don’t have to rinse your ink off too much and that it won’t rub off on your clothing or bedding.
I then laid my white cotton fabric down, placed my canvas fabric on top of it so that it was right side up, and laid my marigold fabric on top of the canvas so that it was right side down. Then I pinned the perimeter of the three fabrics together to make a sandwich. If your canvas or fabric for the back is thick, you don’t need the extra white fabric, but I did need it to help with the daisy pillow because the fabrics I used were a little see through.
Stitch almost all the way around your perimeter but leave an opening large enough to fit your fist through. This is where you’ll add your stuffing later. Trim off your edges and clip corners just above the stitch line.
Turn your pillowcase right side out and push your corners out. Iron flat for a finished look. Stuff with Poly-fil until you’re happy with the thickness.
Use your needle and thread and stitch your pillow up with a blind stitch. This will close it without affecting the lines of your pillow like it would if you used your sewing machine.
Fluff your pillow and find a happy place for it on your couch or your bed!
I used a gold pleather material for the succulent pillow and love how much fancier it felt!
Mix and match a trio for a housewarming gift or a graduate heading off to college. Maybe try out other floral patterns or even favorite snacks. A flat lay of your favorite donuts? Yeah, that could be dangerous if it’s the first thing you see each morning. A kale pillow? Ummm… –Rachel
Author: Rachel Denbow. Photography: Rachel Denbow and Janae Hardy.
22 Comments
Oh my god these are beautiful! I need to get a solid printer.
Holy crap! Awesome. I’ve seen pillows like your succulent one selling for mega money. These are gorgeous. Please report back on how they wear!
I love this idea! I want to make some for my porch with outdoor fabric. Do you think it would work with a thicker material?
Thanks!
Laura
http://laurelandfern.com/
wow! That is a great printer. Thanks for sharing this idea 😀
Jenn | http://lepetittato.wordpress.com/
This is such a cool idea! http://www.hannamarielei.com
This would make a beautiful present for a new bride from someone close to her who took pictures of her bouquet. Preserved flowers lose their shape and vibrancy but this would be bright and beautiful. I’m going to file that idea away.
Thanks for sharing! Printable fabric? Mind blown!
so cool!! it’s so unique and creative 🙂
dorky-and-weird.blogspot.com
Xoxo Jessy
I couldn’t find outdoor photofabric. Is the cotton twill okay for outdoors? My porch is covered and only received a little morning sunlight. Thanks for your help! I love this project!
These look so pretty and fun! I’d love to do this one day. 🙂
Nicole | http://www.inthelifeofnm.blogspot.ca
Such a great idea! I’m going to try and make these pillows with my puppy’s face on them.
Lena
http://zoyaandme.com/
The one with the succulent is so beautiful!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
This is so pretty!
I def need this printer, its sooo cool!
xoxo, Colli
my beautyblog – tobeyoutiful
You did a great job there!
http://www.wanderfreeblog.wordpress.com
xx
This is supper cool! I definitely want to try this…. But I need that printer first!
That’s so awesome! I often sew new pillows as changing them is the easiest way to change the look of the room.
Can’t believe that printer!
It’s amazing!
Amazing! I must try this DIY since I am a photographer and a crafter at the same time.
i learnt a lot, my son loves it he is very creative. great!!
it is amazing
This idea is very creative, I love it
This is very nice idea… Thanks for sharing
Guess what – I got so excited about this project I ran out a couple of hours later and bought a premium Canon printer (because you mentioned it) and $150 worth of inks etc! I’ve never been swayed to buy something off a post before. Tell Canon their addvertising on your blog works! (can’t wait to try the fabric printing too)