How To Make Leaf Print Drop Cloth Pillows

These leaf print drop cloth pillows were so easy to make. Using the natural beauty of real leaves and craft paint will allow you to create beautiful printed pillow covers from inexpensive drop cloth fabric.

As part of our screened-in porch makeover, I wanted to cover the existing cushion of this sofa and update the pillows. In order to keep down the costs, I decided to use drop cloth fabric and cover both the cushion and exiting pillows. However, I still felt like there needed to be a little color so I ended up with this fun leaf printed drop cloth pillow tutorial.

Supplies

Cotton Drop Cloth
Pillow Inserts or old pillows you want to cover
Craft Paint - in a few varying colors
Fabric Painting Medium
Paintbrushes
Brayer
Leaves of any kind

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Creating a Drop Cloth Pillow

First, wash and dry the drop cloth material.

Wrap some of the drop cloth around the pillow and pin in place. I find this works better for me than measuring and cutting.

Make sure one edge (right side here) is about the seam allowance you want, so once you are done pinning, you can take out those pins to remove the pillow for sewing. Also, I always fold the material over the pillow so that there is one less side to pin, cut, and sew.

When you are finished pinning you can trim the excess fabric.

Remove pillow, and sew, leave about 1/2 of one side opening for turning and to have enough room to stuff the pillow back inside. Press fabric if needed. 

Printing Leaves on Drop Cloth Fabric

I wasn't worried about this paint leaking through the fabric but if you are using a lighter fabric you may want to put a piece of paper between the front and back just in case the paint bleeds through.

Prepare a plate with shades of green paint (I also used black) and fabric medium.

Coat the back of a leaf with the different shades of paint.

I used Begonia grandis leaves because I liked the shape and the veining on the back.

Flip it over and use the brayer, starting from the middle, and roll out in all directions.

Carefully remove the leaf to reveal your print.

Test a few color options and the amount of paint on a piece of scrap fabric, to get a feel for the brayer and the look you like best.

I also added a stem freehand with a thin paintbrush.

I ended up making two of these to cover the pillows on my screened porch as part of our screened porch makeover. 

You see, even if you don't have an artist's hand, you can use the beauty of plants to make leaf print drop cloth pillows. I really love the way they turned out. An easy, and cheap way to spruce up our porch.

Print

4.50 from 2 votes

Leaf Print Drop Cloth Pillows

These leaf print drop cloth pillows were so easy to make. Using the natural beauty of real leaves and craft paint will allow you to create beautiful printed pillow covers from inexpensive drop cloth fabric.

Prep Time1 hour hr

Active Time1 hour hr

Total Time2 hours hrs

Course: Sewing

Yield: 1

Author: Patti Estep

Equipment

• scissors
• Pins
• sewing machine
• Brayer
• paintbrushes

Materials

• Cotton Drop Cloth
• Pillow Inserts or old pillows you want to cover
• Craft Paint - in a few varying colors
• Fabric Painting Medium
• Leaves of any kind

Instructions

• Wash and dry the drop cloth material.
• Wrap some of the drop cloth around the pillow and pin in place.
• Cut around the pins leaving enough for a seam allowance.
• Take out the pins and sew all around leaving about 1/2 of one side open.
• Turn the pillow cover right side out and press.
• For printing place a piece of paper between the front and back just in case the paint bleeds through.
• Prepare a plate with shades of green paint (I also used black) and fabric medium.
• Coat the back of a leaf with the different shades of paint.
• Turn the leaf over and use the brayer to print the fabric. Start from the middle, and roll out in all directions.
• Carefully remove the leaf and see your creation.
• Continue with a new leaf all over the pillow.
• Add stems freehand with a thin paintbrush if you want.
• Once dry stuff the pillow insert inside and hand sew the opening with a blind or blanket stitch.

Notes

Test a few color options and the amount of paint on a piece of scrap fabric, to get a feel for the brayer and the look you like best.