I started out with high hopes for this no sew pillow that nearly turned into a Pinterest fail. I had saved a burlap peanut bag in my craft stash for a year {because that’s what chronic DIYers do} and I knew I would eventually find something to do with it {again, that’s what chronic DIYers do}.
I salvaged a pillow form that fit perfectly inside the burlap bag so making a pillow was a no brainer but I really had no desire to break out the sewing machine to close the end of the burlap bag. So after seeing all these quick and easy no sew pillow tutorials on Pinterest I ordered some Heat N Bond iron on adhesive tape and figured this was going to be a slam dunk DIY project.
First I pulled out my homemade No. 6 stencil that I have used on my spindle leg table with grain sack stenciled top and my drop cloth stenciled chair. After I used the green painters tape to secure my stencil I used a stencil brush to paint on Waverly Chalk Paint in the color of Ocean Blue.
Surprisingly, that was the easy part of this no sew pillow project and the Heat N Bond tape application is what had me pulling out my hair. I read the directions, I watched the YouTube Video and I studied Pinterest posts to prepare myself for this “quick and easy” DIY project.
I grabbed my stenciled no sew pillow, scissors, iron and Heat N Bond adhesive tape. I cut a piece of the adhesive tape the length of the opening on my pillow. Once side of the tape is sticky and the other side has a paper backing so naturally the sticky side goes down onto the material.
The instructions say to set the iron temperature to medium and turn off the steam. Once the iron was heated I ran it across the top of the paper which heats up the adhesive and gets it nice and gooey. Then I peeled off the paper backing and pinched the burlap together to close the opening of the pillow. I held it together and then ran the iron over the opening to help bond the edges together and seal the opening closed.
And here is where the Pinterest fail comes into play. No matter what I did the Heat N Bond tape would not stick and secure the opening of the pillow closed. I added another layer of adhesive tape to the top of the opening hoping that the two sticky pieces would adhere but nope.
I ironed it over and over and still nothing would stick. Then I thought my iron temperature wasn’t hot enough so I turned it up and added yet a third layer of adhesive tape and once again I ironed it again and again but still nothing worked.
By this time I had had enough of the Heat N Bond and I went for the glue gun route. I added a nice long bead of hot glue to the edge of the pillow and pinched it together for a few seconds and ta-dah……my no sew pillow was complete.
So after doing some more research and posting my Pinterest fail pics on Instagram I learned that Heat N Bond doesn’t particularly stick to burlap very well. No duh….I can attest to that fact. With that being said, I haven’t given up on Heat N Bond just yet and will attempt it once again on another project I have in the works. In the meantime, I think I salvaged by now sew pillow from a Pinterest fail and made a cute no sew pillow for my bench.
Great job sticking with it and finding a solution. I love that stencil! Hey, I’m glad I’m not alone, I have stuff stashed all over the house that will some day make into a project. We’re in good company ?
Thank you Toni…us hoarders…I mean crafters must unite. 🙂
I applaud your perseverance and I am glad you shared the burlap tip. This is something I could see happening to me.
In the end, it turned out super cute!
Thank you Lisa.
I ADORE this pillow!!!! I have an old coffee beans sack that may get this exact treatment! However, I am making note of your heat and Bond experience and will adjust accordingly – thank you so much for sharing – your pillow turned out great in the end! Proud of you for sticking with it!
Thanks Sarah. I have such a hard time giving up on a craft project but this one really tested me. Hooray for hot glue.
I haven’t had much luck with Heat and Bond either. Cute pillows!
Good to know it wasn’t just me with the heat n bond issues.
I have two little pillow just like that and I’ve been looking for something fun to do with them. What a great idea! I love them.
Thank you Carolann.
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