The crazy pace of summer in the garden is finally slowing down. The weather has cooled a bit but the mornings and evenings are still enjoyable. Flower beds and containers are overflowing. Vegetables and herbs are abundant. While there’s plenty of harvesting yet to do, there’s more time to relax. So it’s finally time to refresh my outdoor living spaces.

For most of the summer, I decorated my porch with red, white, and blue. But now it’s time for a change. Recently, I realized my pillows needed an update. Rather than purchase new, I used some of my vintage fabrics to make pillow covers.

I’ve been itching to create something from my stash of vintage tablecloths and linens. Over the years, I’ve gathered most of these treasures from yard sales and thrift stores.

Much of my supplies are 50s era tablecloths. I frequently use them in my home decor to cover side tables, decorate my dining table, and layer on my picnic table. However, many of these vintage fabrics have been damaged over the years. Most are stained or have small holes in them. That means I have to get creative in how I use these fabrics.

Why Use Vintage Fabrics…

I love the bright cheery colors of vintage fabrics. They remind me of a time when the family gathered around the table for dinner each night. They bring back a feeling of warmth and sharing of a simpler time.

The appeal of vintage fabrics is one of nostalgia. Using these fabrics in your decor is also a good way to repurpose what you already have. Rather than spending more money on something new, using vintage fabrics can help you use what’s already available. Instead of purchasing new items for the season, I’m trying to use what I have in creative ways.

So how can you find some of these fabrics? Dig around in your family’s attics to look for some of these precious vintage fabrics. Hit a few yard sales this weekend or shop your local thrift store. You can also find these treasures online at places such as Etsy or eBay.

If you don’t have a stash of vintage fabrics to make these simple pillow covers, that’s okay. You can find retro fabrics online or at your local craft store.

What Types of Fabric to Look for…

There are many options to choose from when looking for vintage fabrics. Even if you can’t find tablecloths, don’t overlook other types of fabrics when you’re thrifting. Consider these options:

• Tablecloths
• Napkins
• Sheets
• Pillowcases
• Blankets
• Handkerchiefs
• Clothing
• Tea towels
• Leftover fabric remnants or bolts

How to Make a Simple Pillow Cover…

Follow these steps to make an easy pillow cover from vintage fabric. You can make this simple pocket style pillow cover in just an hour or two.

Step 1:

Prepare your fabric first. Gently wash and dry your fabric either by hand or on the delicate cycle of your machine. I like to soak mine for a bit in OxyClean to help brighten the colors.

Step 2:

Next, examine your fabric to see where you can preserve it. You can make a pillow cover from a strip of fabric or sew several pieces together if needed.

Measure the size of your pillow. Double the length plus add three inches. To the width, add one inch. Measure this size on your fabric and mark with straight pins. Make sure that the front area of your pillowcase will be free of stains and holes. Carefully cut your fabric (see note.) Iron fabric for a smooth finish. To protect the fabric, you might use a pressing cloth over the surface as you iron.

Note: Before you cut your fabric, double-check that any image you want will be centered on the front of the pillow. I usually check a few times to make sure I’ve measured correctly before I cut.

Step 3:

On the short ends, fold fabric 1/4 inch (wrong sides together) to form a finished edge. Press gently then stitch by hand or machine to make your finished seams. One of my seams already had a finished edge… bonus.

Lay your fabric out, wrong side facing down. Center pillow on fabric so you’ve placed it where the front will be. Fold the bottom over the back of the pillow. This will form your pocket.

Use straight pins to form a 3/8-inch seam on the sides of your pillow. There should be about a 3-inch hang-over at the top to fold over your pillow. Remove the pillow and stitch the seams by hand or with a sewing machine.

Step 4:

Turn your pillow cover inside out. Carefully press out the corners. Insert your pillow into the pocket. You can then tuck the top flap into the cover or you could sew on velcro fasteners. Although this is the backside of my pillow, you could decorate it with buttons and use it as the front.

Here’s the finished pillow. Be sure to save your leftover fabric scraps to make other decorative pieces and crafts.

Here’s an Easy No-Sew Option for a Temporary Cover…

If you have a piece of vintage fabric that you can’t bear to cut, you can make a temporary pillow cover. Select a piece of fabric that you want to use for your temporary cover. The piece should be large enough to cover the front and back of your pillow. Fold your fabric so that it’s approximately twice the size of your pillow.

Lay your fabric right-side down. Place the pillow in the center of the fabric. Fold up two sides of the fabric to the back of the pillow. Straighten the top and bottom fabric. Fold the bottom piece up first. Next, fold the top side down. Use a ribbon or twine to tie the top and bottom sections together. Depending on your preference, you can use this for the front or back of your pillow. Here’s what the tied section looks like.

Use this pillow to decorate your indoor/outdoor furniture temporarily. With this technique you won’t damage the fabric.

Other Ways to Use Vintage Fabrics in Your Garden…

Here are a few other ways to use treasured fabrics on your porch or in your garden shed.

• Make a garland to hang from the eves
• Sew fabric coasters
• Make cup cozies to keep your coffee hot
• Use as a tray liner
• Make a basket liner
• Create a bag for carrying your porch supplies, such as your book or yarn projects
• Make a quilt for chilly mornings and evenings on the porch
• Set your table with a vintage tablecloth… just cover up any holes
• Use fabric strips to make a wreath for your door
• Create book covers to use on your garden books
• Make a garden apron
• Create faux flowers to display
• Make simple curtains for your garden shed windows
• Use leftover scraps and pieces as plant ties and hangers

Using vintage fabrics to decorate your porch and garden shed can create a unique way to style your seating areas. It’s fun to see what you can create from a little bit of nostalgia. These festive pillows on your porch can be a reminder of the good old days. Better yet, they can be a start to great new days for you and your family.

It’s so inspiring to take something old and create something new from it. Vintage fabrics offer the perfect opportunity to use something from our past to make a new treasure for today. Now that I have “new pillows” I can get cozy on my porch and enjoy the last of the garden season.