For the last month or so, my main priority for decorating the living room has been to find throw blankets and pillows that I like that will go with my new color scheme/look for the room. I haven’t had a lot of luck. I’ve found LOTS of pillows online that I love/want but they’re mostly more than I want to spend, so I will likely end up buying some fabric and making some. (That said, I still LOVE the pillows we currently have, and I think they look great with the grey couches – I just want to add a few more to the mix.)
But throw blankets? I’ve looked at all the usual “find cheap decor” places – Ross, Marshall’s, Target, Big Lots, etc… and nothing. I think it’s just the wrong time of year to be looking for throws at that sort of store. Online, sure I can find some that I like, but the types of throws I like are usually at least $60 each. A bit much for our budget at this point.
Ideally, I was hoping to find a sunny yellow or cream colored throw, preferably knit or woven, with a subtle pattern but no big holes (like cable-knit would be perfect).
Today at Target, I saw something that LOOKED like what I wanted! A soft, lightweight, cream woven throw! But upon closer inspection, I realized it wasn’t a throw at all, but a bedspread. The gears in my brain started turning… hmm…
So I threw it in the cart – a twin-sized bedspread for $20 – and took it home with me.
As soon as we got home, I opened the package and spread it out on the floor, folded in half. (Don’t worry, I smoothed out all the wrinkles and everything.)
This is Zora’s look of approval.
Then along the fold, I carefully snipped the blanket in half. Then I folded over the edges twice and pinned them. It was easy to keep them straight because of the striped pattern! Otherwise I’m sure I would’ve wonk-ified it a bit.
And, oh yeah! Up until this point, I didn’t have a sewing area set up. I kept meaning to do that, but it just hadn’t happened yet. So I recruited my husband to help me get this folding table from the garage, and quickly set up this spot (in the baby’s room-to-be).
With my sewing area all set up, all I had to do was zip a couple straight seams (zig-zag stitch, so the seam can stretch without popping the thread)…
And when everything was done…
Voila! Just what I wanted! 2 simple, lightweight, cream, slightly textured throw blankets (one for the sofa, and one for the loveseat) for only $20 and a few minutes of my time!
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
I love this idea. I’m always trying to figure out how to make nice things that look custom for less, but I have your same problem… I get it in my head what I want and then can never find it. I’m going to have to try this one. I think those light woven blankets would look so chic with some light appliqué (not scratchy though, I hate that about some that you see) in a matching color scheme on a couple corners.
[...] The orange picture on the wall was my Large-Scale Custom Art on a Budget… and the throw blankets were also a simple project – throw blankets from a bedspread. [...]
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Now if only I could sew!….my Mom tried…but with little success.
This reminds me of a trick my mom used when we were growing up. Instead of buying curtains, she'd buy an extra top sheet and make curtains from it. It was cheaper, and of course fit the windows perfectly. ..and great if you can't find matching curtains. She also hung a top sheet on a shower curtain rod as a closet-door replacement. (Much easier to clean than those louvered closet doors of the '70s.
What a horrible teacher to do that to you!!! Poor thing.
Definitely give sewing another try – I mostly just sew straight lines, nothing complicated, but it's a good trick to have up your sleeve!
everytime I read your blog I'm reminded on how much I want to learn. Sewing is one! When I was in high school we made pillow cases. My teacher held mine up in front of the class and exclaimed “everyone, this is what NOT to do! an absolute mess” and unpicked the whole lot. (maybe it was overyl- wonkified haha) needless to say, I was mortified and new sewed again!