DIY Valentine's Envelope Pillows

This DIY Valentine's Envelope Pillows post and its shop have been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 

All opinions are mine alone. #MyTuesdayValentine #CollectiveBias

These DIY Valentine's Envelope Pillows (made from a drop cloth!) are the perfect little gift for your special someone this Valentine's season. They're sweet, simple, and romantic. And who doesn't need a little bit of allllll of that on Valentine's Day? They make great friend gifts, too!

Not going to lie, I put myself through the whole "make the presents, make the presents, make the presents" Monica and Chandler Bing scenario every Valentine's Day. Sometimes, my creations fall flat on their face. But this year...I've got the cutest DIY Valentine's Envelope Pillows ready to go! They're shimmery, budget-friendly, and have a little nod to the bow-chicka-bow-wow Valentine's department (wink). Check out my complete tutorial below.

My husband is usually the bed maker in our family. He likes a tidy space and frankly, I can certainly appreciate that, too. But, he's a bit more precise in this area than I am (he's the hospital corners-kind-of-bed-maker, y'all). I'm doing good to just get out of the bed and throw the covers back in an upward motion in the direction of the headboard...and maybe I'll run my hand over the top to smooth out a few wrinkles. 

I definitely appreciate his skill set in this department.

While he is great with the neat and tidy bedding, I'm great with pillow arranging. I do a fantastic pillow chop, if I do say so myself. I want to leave him this sweet little pillow on Valentine's morning to add to his neat and tidy bed-making. I know he'll get a kick out of it. Because I will make the present(s), make the present(s), make the present(s).

We've been married over 14 years and never do anything too over-the-top for Valentine's...but we kind of like it that way. We love to celebrate with our kiddos and have a nice dinner at home that we all take part in preparing. I think this special little handmade gift will be the perfect way to kick off the day. 

I can't forget a nice American Greetings card to go with my handmade Valentine's day present. Honestly, for years I was a bit thrifty and not-so-thoughtful in the greeting card department; while my husband would go all out and spend hours searching for the perfect card for me. I failed miserably in that area. Picking out greeting cards is something he takes super seriously. (He also saves every single one he has ever received from anyone and everyone!). I finally upped my game a few years ago and love the look on his face when he reads his card from me. It truly means a lot. When we started dating in 2002, we always exchanged thoughtful cards back and forth. I'd love to get back to that! (He still has every one I gave him!)

Wishing anyone a Happy Valentine’s Day with an American Greetings card is a wonderful way to brighten their day! They have a great selection.

Since Valentine's is on a Tuesday this year, I plan to hop up and make the bed and leave this sweet pillow and card waiting for him as he gets out to start his morning prep routine. He usually passes through our room once more after he's ready to go (usually to get the hospital corners in check)...it'll be the perfect way to surprise him!

As I mentioned, I've grabbed him a really sweet and thoughtful American Greetings card this year. I also grabbed one for a good friend of mine that I always exchange Valentine's gifts with (she's getting a pillow, too...she loves to decorate, so it will be perfect).

American Greetings has more than just standard Valentine's Day cards this year. I downloaded the cutest Shopping List from their site...I used it to write names of everyone to shop for this Valentine's season. You could also use it for groceries by sticking it on your refrigerator. Click here to download this and many of their other free printables.  

They also have mobile and desktop wallpaper (to keep Valentine's Day top-of-mind) and a printable February calendar. I printed their pretty Valentine's quote, too.

And how cute is this? The little cards on the side of the list are for cutting out and sharing. I plan to stick them in my kids' school lunches this month. 

This is one of the free printables I found on their site, too.

Click here to grab one for yourself.

Don't forget the Valentine's gift wrap, too.

Now that you're all set on cute printables, cards, and gift wrap, are you ready to 

make the presents, make the presents, make the presents?

(If you're not a 90s sitcom fan, that reference is probably super annoying by now).

Start with a pillow form. I made two pillows here...one rectangular and one square. Honestly, I buy pillows at discount stores, and remove their covers for cheap pillow forms. I grabbed quite a few after the holidays for next to nothing. I prefer a nice, down pillow form (for choppability, y'all) and buying them from a craft store can be costly. 

Purchase a canvas drop cloth at a hardware store (mine was 9x12 and I was able to get four pillows out of it...and probably could have gotten five if I had one more rectangular pillow). Start by washing, drying and ironing your drop cloth (honestly, to me the ironing of the huge thing is the most treacherous part...it's an easy project, y'all!). Above, I'm showing the cuts for my square pillow...that's the pillow I will use to explain here:

- Cut one square the same size of your pillow (my pillow was 20"x20", so that's the size of my square). I do not leave a seam allowance...I like a really snug pillow with a well-fitted cover. If this makes you nervous, feel free to add in a small seam allowance.

- Next, cut a rectangle that has one side the same size as one of your square's sides. The longer side will be the size of your square plus six inches. So, my rectangle was 20"x26".

- Cut the rectangle in half. So, now I have two 20"x13" rectangles and one 20"x20" square).

- Take your two smaller pieces (they will form the back opening "envelope" part) and create a 1/4" seam with your iron on one of the long sides, then fold it over again so you have a 1/4" double seam. Press it again in place. Do this on both pieces.

Sew a basic stitch over this double seam you pressed down. Do this on both pieces. 

Once both pieces have a long edge sewn, layer them on top of your square, allowing their seams to cover one another. You'll lay them with the wrong side out towards you. 

Pin around the entire perimeter with straight pins. 

Sew that perimeter and remove the straight pins as you go.

Turn your pillow cover right side out and get ready to apply your image. I used heat transfer vinyl for my heart. I cut mine with my vinyl machine, but you can find precut shapes in craft stores. Follow the iron-on directions with your particular brand and press your heart (or arrow, like I used on my other pillow) in place. 

After your pillow cools completely, insert your form inside.

If you're gifting this, you can also stick it inside a cute American Greetings gift bag.

Loving the XOXO design on this one.

 What do you think? Is this something you'd give for Valentine's Day?

Click here to find an American Greetings retailer near you.

Click here for tips on what to write inside of a Valentine's card.

Happy hearts season, y'all!

Neglect your chores like me and don't miss a thing:

Follow on Facebook | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Pinterest | Follow on Google+ | Follow on Instagram

{i linky-party here}