Easter Bunny Table Runner to Pillow DIY (Easy Cottage Style Upcycle)

My husband and I are pretty boring weekenders.

Our predictable Saturdays usually include a walk on the waterfront, a few hours down at the beach, game night or dinner with friends and of course a few DIYs around the house.

And if we're really feeling adventurous, we might hit the local odd lot store to poke around.


It's almost as exciting as thrifting, because you truly never know what you're going to find. 

For example, a few weeks ago I was wandering down the kitchen aisle and found this darling spring table runner for $7.99.


The price was ridiculous for any kind of table runner, but this one had a linen front, a silky Shantung looking back and a delicate trim running around the outside.

Plus, as a bonus there was not one - but two - beautiful lace applique bunnies, complete with pearl accents and plushy cottontails.

I mean come on.

So sweet. I couldn't get it in my cart fast enough.

Not because I wanted to set my table for Easter...but because I wanted to chop it up, get crafty.

And make pillows.

How To Make A Pillow From A Table Runner

As soon as I saw those two seperate fabrics on the front and back, I knew I could stuff it. I'd just need to cut it, add some fluff and sew it back up. I've done it before with placemats. So super easy, right?

Well, not quite...but pretty close.

Remember, as with most of my DIYs, this idea can be tailored for any holiday or season. This technique will work with any double sided table runner...not just bunnies. Although, they may be the cutest. 😉

First I had to determine what size my pillow would be.

Since I wanted the bunny centered, with the same amount of space above and below him, I measured from the bottom of the bunny to the bottom of the pillow. That was about 2 inches.


Then I placed my measuring tape on the other side of the bunny and folded the fabric about 2 inches above his ear.


Of course, I needed to add about another inch for seam allowance before I cut. 

I did that using a straightedge and my very sharp sewing scissors.


The cut fabric opened up a lovely pocket to add stuffing. However, the one thing it was missing was that dainty trim. 

And a pillow with only 3 sides of trim would not do. At all.

I'd have to add it and that was the step I didn't consider when I came up with my brilliant pillow idea.  It's ok though, I figured it out and unbelievably it didn't take me very long to do.

The middle portion of the table runner provided the trim I needed.

I grabbed my seam ripper and began removing stitches from the bunny-less portion of the runner. I kept going until I had released enough trim to make it across the top of my pillow.


Next, I got my sewing machine out, ironed my seams in place and braced myself to add the trim.

Or at least attempt to add it.


The trickiest part was joining the new trim to the old and making the corners look good. I'd never done anything like that before, so I kind of winged it.

Again, I grabbed the seam ripper to free up some of the existed trim, on the sides of the pillow, so it'd have enough give to make it around the corner. 


Then I tacked it in between the fabrics and overlapped it with the new piece of trim.


And then ran that corner through the machine to stitch it all together.


That part was not easy, the fabric was thick and my machine labored, but once it was done it looked great. 

I have to say, I surprised myself with that one.

Rounding the home stretch, I sewed a bit more of the trim in place using the same technique.

Tucking the trim in between the front and back material and stitching it in place from the top/ front of the pillow, keeping the needle as close to the edge as I could.

Mimicking the same stitches used on the runner.  

Now, since my pillow was a custom creation, I couldn't use a standard sized pillow form. 


Instead, I used Poly-Fil. On sale for three bucks a bag.

Poly-Fil Stuffing

I left a large opening as I needed room to add fluffy handfuls of it inside. I also used the enclosed stick to push it into the tight corners.


Then I closed the big hole up, rounded the last corner and I was done with yet another upcycled bunny pillow.

All told it took me less than an hour to create this adorable addition to my spring cottage.


Even more precious than I thought it would be on that chilly Saturday shopping expedition. 

Warming up my home with a little bit of handmade charm.


Oh and in case you're wondering, nope, that's not two pillows. 

He just hopped from one room to another. 

I was all ready to create a second, when I decided that the other bunny would make a fabulous piece of wall art for Easter. That's in process.

And keep your eyes open for even more table runner DIYs, because I still have the entire middle piece waiting in the wings for its upcycle.

That's a lot of crafting from an $8 outing. 

Hmm...maybe my weekends aren't so boring after all.

😉 

What do your weekends look like?


Happy Hopping, Friends!