How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall 🍁🍂

It’s October, friends!! Happy Fall, Y’all! Do you love this season?! I am CRAZY about fall! Confession time: My home and office have been decorated for Fall since Labor Day. Some may think yikes, but I cannot help myself! Back to school, Fall, and Christmas make me so happy! Today I wanted to add some Fall touches to my all white pillows. Join me as I share how to decorate pillow covers for Fall!

This tutorial will be super easy and super fun! I was able to have the project complete, from start to finish, in less than an hour. And that includes letting the paint dry! Love quick and easy projects that add festive touches! Also, you get to pick your design, so you are sure to love it.

Disclaimer: For your convenience, I have included some affiliate links. This simply means if you click on one of the links and buy something, I may receive a small commission, but do not worry… you will not pay a dime more.

Step One for How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall

First, we need to gather our supplies. Most of these things you probably already have on hand. (Aren’t those the best kind of projects?!) You will need:

Pillow cover
Paint (brown, orange, red for me)
Paint brushes
Stencil
New Cricut Explore Air Machine in Gold” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Cricut Explore Air

My pillow cover was purchased from IKEA. Most of my pillow covers come from IKEA because they are super cheap and great quality! The plain white covers cost around $4 each. With each trip I make to IKEA, I stock up- perfect for when I want to paint some for the season!

I am going to make my stencil with my Cricut Explore Air. You can use a similar machine, or purchase the stencils you like from any craft store!

This summer, I purchased a Cricut Explore Air. I am completely crushing on this machine! I have done many projects with it and keep thinking of more to do. Be sure to check out my previous posts on how to make a cute sign for fall and how to decorate a picture frame!

Here is a picture of my plain white pillow cover:

I have two covers that are exactly the same. Let’s decorate both!

Step Two for How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall

Next, you want to decide what type of design you want on your pillow. My two pillows are going to be in separate areas of my home- one in the foyer and one on a chair in my living room- so I am going to do each one different. If they were being placed on the same couch, I may consider doing the same thing to each pillow case.

I decided for pillow #1 I wanted fun pumpkins with the saying, Happy Fall, Y’all! below it. I used Cricut Design Space to make my templates. Here is a snapshot of the pumpkins I chose as viewed in Design Space:

The exact pumpkins I used in Cricut Design Space was Halloween Pumpkins, 9.558 width and 4.98 height, cut two. Cut two did not have the dots and stars in the pumpkins, making the design more simple than it appears on the screen.

For the saying, I used Balega Standard Regular font, size 101.8. I was careful to center the word Y’all!

For the vinyl, I love Paper Studio! It adheres really well and is easy to place and remove. Because I am only using this as a stencil, the color of the vinyl does not matter.

How cute is that little Happy Halloween plate in the background?! Target dollar spot, my friends!! But I digress…

Step Three for How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall

Next, I laid the cut vinyl on the pillow case. I wanted to be careful to center it as best I could. Move your stencil around until you have it where you like it!

You can paint each stencil one at a time, but I am a whole picture kind of a girl, so I like to see it all laid out at once before pick up my brush! This helps me visualize the entire space. Here is the pillow case with both stencils on it:

Ready for paint!

Step Four for How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall

Alright, so I gave away the next step already- it is time for paint! I love, love, love this step! I used orange for the pumpkins and brown for the letters.

As you begin painting, you want to paint from the edge toward the center. Doing the opposite may cause the stencil to lift. I like super crisp lines, and on fabric, this can be a challenge. I usually press down on the stencil as I paint each section to prevent paint from bleeding over.

Once I applied the second coat, I could not wait- I removed the stencil! I like to see how it will look before it dries.

Added some brown longitudinal lines and wispy black lines at the stem. That is about as artistic as I get, friends! And as I removed the final vinyl-

-tada!!

Step Five for How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall

Finally, you want to let the paint dry and then add the insert. With your beautiful new Fall pillow, you are ready to style! My Happy Fall, Y’all pillow will greet guests at my front door!

Once upon a time, I did not have a foyer… so I made one! You can see that project here!

Loving my Fall pillows! While the style in my home is more neutral, I must have orange and brown decorative touches for fall! The white pillows with bright orange is my favorite. What colors do you use to decorate for fall?

For pillow #2, I used the Cricut Design Space image Welcome Fall Apple, 8.757 width x 8.575 height. Kept it simple, used only orange. The stencil was a little trickier, as it had more intricate cuts, but once it was laid on the pillow case I was good to go! Here is the final product for it:

Super fun project, friends, that can be done in one afternoon- and plenty of time to relax after! What fun fall crafts have you done lately? Be sure to share in the comments!

Curious about how I painted stripes on the dresser in the picture above? Check it my tutorial on how to paint stripes on a dresser! Fun DIY that completely transformed an old, boring dresser!

Recap of the Five Steps for How to Decorate Pillow Covers for Fall

Alright, let’s recap this super easy DIY:

Gather your supplies
Decide on the design you wish to have on your pillow cover
Lay the stencil on your pillow cover
Paint your pillow cover, being careful to paint away from the stencil edge and toward the center
Enjoy your newly decorated pillow cover!

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