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DIY Kantha Pillows

Steph's Bedroom | DIY Kantha Pillows | Covet Living

See dems Euro Shams on my bed?  They started out as this quilt…

Kantha from Solo on Cedros | Covet Living

Or kantha quilt.  Most kanthas are about 60″ x 90″ in size, and are handstitched ditties made from old saris.  I see a LOT of ’em around, but it’s a crapshoot – the good ones are hard to find.  Then, I saw THIS bad boy at Solo on Cedros… (a glorious haven we’ve rapped about many-a-times that has – among other things – the most beautiful kanthas and Bolivian blankets/rugs, ever – thanks to Ruby, who handpicks each one.  And who Gus accosted last time we were there).

Ruby from Cedros | Covet Living

Anyhoo.  As soon as I saw this one, I (literally) hurled my whole self on top of it to call dibs.  THIS kantha – in all its lilac, coral and perfectly faded charcoal glory – was a diamond in the rough.  So I snagged it…  I think for about $100 bones.

IMG_5853

Though the thought of taking a pair of sharps to that gorgeous thing made me wince, I knew I wanted to make euro shams out of it – either for the sofa, or for my bedroom.  I wanted my new place in Cali to have a kind of an effortless, beachy Bohemian feel, and this was a good place to start.  Plus they would be so cozy as pillows (!!!) and just get softer and more lovingly worn with time.  So first, I laid the kantha out on the kitchen floor to see if I could get 3 big sections of the prettiest part for the face (front) of each sham.  And I used a super scientific measuring technique called “trace around the sham you already have.”  I definitely wanted to use more of the lilac parts than the orange:

DIY Kantha Pillows | Covet Living

PS, the opposite side of my kantha looked like this… yeah – like Woodstock. Probably best left in the 70’s and therefore best suited for the inside of the shams:

DIY Kantha Pillows | Covet Living

I wanted to make 3 Euro shams, so once the 6 sections were cut, I pinned ’em (faces together) and started sewing.  There’s a much better sewing tutorial than I could muster here.  The only thing I’ll tell you is that I ALWAYS double-stitch the seams, and always double stitch at the zipper.  Also – I would use a zipper that’s just a few inches shy of the pillow width (Euros are 26″ x 26″, so try a 22″ zipper if you can). Cuz you don’t wanna be fighting the sham every time you wash it and then try to shove the insert in there, like you’re trying to shove a hot air balloon through something the size of a lemon.  OMG, that sounds like child birth. #passthedrugs #cantwait

DIY Kantha Pillows | Covet Living

And there you have it!  Speaking of wee ones, I think a few of these could also be precious in a nursery or a kids room.  You could also reupholster a bench or ottoman in them… whatever tickles your pickle.  Check out my Etsy faves to see some of the ones I picked out to use for projects like this.  I probably spent about $60 on each pillow – including the insert – which is a STEAL if you’re willing to get crafty.  Otherwise, you can hit the el-easy button and shop over at Chairish this Sunday from 9am-11am EST!

Chairish Co Kantha Pillows | Covet Living

xoxo,

Steph's Scanned Signature

10 Good Things.

Merry Christmas Eve!  You know you’re still in your sweatpants (if you’re even up yet), nuzzled in a blanket in front of the Christmas tree, cruising the internet with HGTV on in the background.  Ahhhh, glorious.  Or if you’re Karrie, you won’t be awake for another 2 hours.  And if you’re me, then you have a bowl of pappardelle & meatballs in your lap for breakfast.  Whoops.  #wheninindiana

Anyhow.  Here’s a quick stream of consciousness for your marination station:

PEAR & THYME MIMOSAS {for cocktail hour tonight}

1 chilled bottle of Prosecco or Champagne | 12 oz. pear nectar | 4-6 sprigs of Thyme | Fill each glass with 3 ounces of peach nectar and a sprig of Thyme. Top with Prosecco or Champagne and add an additional sprig of Thyme to garnish. For entertaining, combine chilled wine and pear nectar in a pitcher with 6 sprigs of Thyme.

SALTED CARAMEL DONUTS {for Christmas breakfast tomorrow}

Hit the easy button and pick up the donuts at the grocery store, then either make or buy a jar of salted caramel.  Then dip those bad boys in your morning coffee.  #nomnomnom

SHARING IS CARING {I can’t take it.  Also, I’d like that kid to share his pom pom hat with me permanently.}

PS: the pic below is from this chick’s Pinterest board “Parenthood,” which I immediately followed and suggest you do too.  Everything on it is perfect.

LAST MINUTE DECORATING IDEA {Snag some sage from the fridge and tie it with leftover ribbon or twine.  Bang.}

HOW HILARIOUS IS THIS? {You know it’s true.}

I spent last night stirring meatballs and howling over texts from friends detailing the high-larious and ridiculous antics of their parents.  Gotta love family.  They’re all &$#^% nuts.  Regram via Chairish Co’s Instagram.

PLEASE SANTA CAN I HAVE THIS KITCHEN? {Never have I ever.}

I can’t even pick my favorite part: that pristine hood, the handmade-looking, slightly off-kilter tile backsplash, the reclaimed wood island topped with a slab of perfect carrara, the antique rug or that bad a$$ hardware.

ALSO SANTA… {…these earrings would be great.}

Pipe dream indeed – they’re listed as being from 400 bc.  Source unknown but pin via the amazing Lulu DK / decor goddess / hero of mine.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING SWEETER? {…cuz I haven’t}

The only thing cuter than: a) babies in sherpa onesies and b) goldens is c) goldens licking giggling, cooing babies in sherpa onesies.

ALSO – THIS GUY:

…who gave the guy next to me on the plane ride home a similar tongue bath, right before he passed out on said guy’s feet after his doggie tranquilizers kicked in.

WHEN I GET BACK TO CALI…

I’m totally getting a beach cruiser so I can snap one of these bad boys onto it.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST {A few wise words…}

…because the holidays are *wonderful*, but they aren’t all sunshine and rainbows for everyone, every year.  Some years they can be bittersweet, or even achingly difficult for people.  So remember to be a little kinder to everyone – there’s never any harm in that, right?  Cuz you just never know what’s going on beneath the surface.  And if you happen to be weathering a tough time this holiday, take some comfort in the poignant words below, because those words are true… whatever’s going on now – however difficult or unnecessarily cruel – is preparing you for something bigger, and there are better times ahead.  That is what I’m telling myself anyway, in the wake of the glorious déjà vu-esque curveball I just got lobbed.  PS: if you aren’t following Megan McGrane on insta yet, you should be.  She’s a wizard.

Merry Christmas Eve!!

xoxo,