I recently shared my Valentine Mantel display, which includes a sweet little set of X and O letters as one of the decorative elements. I love taking something you can purchase ready-made and add a handmade stamp to it to give it my personal touch. These Quilted & Piped Letters are a project that accomplishes just that by dressing up a plain-Jane duo of papier mache letters from Joann.
The method for creating these letters combines the same basic technique I used for my Quilted Chevron Monogram with a new technique for framing everything with a bright ribbon of piping. And the best part? This project is entirely no-sew! Ready to see how it’s done? Let’s get started!
For this project, you will need…
Plain papier mache letter(s)
Acrylic paint and foam brush
Fabric scraps
Disappearing ink marker
Shears
Pinking shears (optional)
Polyester fiberfill
Package of pre-made piping
Hot glue
To begin, paint the back side and outer edges of your letter with acrylic paint using your foam brush. Allow to dry completely.
Place your letter face down onto the wrong side of your fabric scrap and trace around it using your disappearing ink marker. Cut out your letter shape using either standard or pinking shears.
Run a thin line of hot glue along just the top edges of your letter, as shown.
Adhere your trimmed fabric piece to your letter, making sure all edges are lined up as you work. Make sure to adhere glue only to the edges of your letter in a way to create a pocket with your fabric that you will fill with fiberfill to give your project dimension.
Tuck some fiberfill up into the pocket you just created, working with very small amounts of fiberfill at a time to avoid overstuffing and thus causing your fabric to separate from your letter. (If necessary, use a wooden chopstick or other device to poke the fiberfill where it needs to go.) Repeat this step, working in 2-3 sections, until your entire letter is covered and stuffed.
Using your shears, carefully trim away the seam allowance portion of your piping, trimming as closely as possible to the stitching without accidentally cutting through the threads.
Use a very thin thread of hot glue to adhere the trimmed piping to the outer perimeter of your letter.
All finished!
These letters would make a perfect addition to any holiday decor, but I see them also being perfect in a child’s room, or even in a kitchen!
Have a great week, everyone!
Amy @ Positively Splendid
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you'll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
@splendidamy
Mama of four, creative enthusiast, craft & DIY blogger. Find me knee-deep in my next project at http://www.PositivelySplendid.com!
Just discovered that my Cameo can cut marine vinyl!! Watch out, @joann_stores ... I'm about to come… http://t.co/B5uystfC6W - 1 day ago
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Love these letters Amy!
SO cute! I would love for you to link up to my Valentine Party @ http://www.cheapcraftymama.com!
I love these! I never would have thought to put the batting in there. Super cute!
So darling and sweet! Love the “no sew” aspect:) Time to Pin!
Oh isn’t that just NIFTY… I LOVE it..
How smart to use the batting!! Those are adorable, Amy…and I love the piping!
Love this!! We are hosting our first Kitchen Fun and Crafty link party this Friday (the 10th) and would love for you to share this! Feel free to stop by and grab a party button! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/
those are avery very cute!
I love these and am definitely going to incorporate them into my home somehow! Thanks for the tutorial.
What an awesome tutorial! I so want to try this for my baby’s owl themed room! Would love it if you’d link this on my new Tuesday linky party.
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com/2012/02/destination-inspiration-tuesday-diy.html
Thanks, Michelle
These are just lovely and such a clever and unique idea. I know my daughter would just love a big “T”.
Those letters are great! That is totally my kind of sewing.
These are so cute! I think they would be perfect in a kid’s room.
I’m in LOVE!!!!!!! So gorgeous!!!
Would you PLEASE link this up on my blog??
http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/02/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-2.html
I love the fabric not being matchy matchy, but very complimentary. This is something I need to work on.
Also the little birdies are darling!
OK, so I saw these and thought, no way . . . I wish I could sew those. But no sew? LOVE! Definitely going to try these.
Amy, these are so great. So smart! Easy. Thanks for sharing. Pinned!
“No sew” – more beautiful words were never written!
These are fantastic!
Kerry at HouseTalkN
I love this! So cute! I saw this on Skip to My Lou I would love it if you would share this with our readers too for Fun Stuff Fridays! http://www.toysinthedryer.com/2012/02/14-days-of-valentines-fun-stuff-fridays_10.html
adorable idea!!! and so doable!
Oh my heavens – I love these so much! The colors are fun and piping just finishes it off! I can see these in a kids room – actually in many many rooms! Thanks!
Such a cute idea!I love how they turned out, thanks for sharing the tutorial. Visiting from Serenity Now!
Gotta love a no sew project! Thanks for the tutorial. I followed you on Twitter.
Jessie Gunderson, Muddy Mama
Super duper cute! The piping detail really makes it look pro! Awesome!!!
I LOVE these! Like LOVE, Amy!
And I would LOVE it if you’d link this up at Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL!
http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/02/feature-friday-free-for-all-6-little.html
Hope to see you soon!
P.S. I’m a new follower. : )
~Abbie
Amy – this is adorable and just plain genius!! Love!
So CUTE! I featured it on my blog last night.
These are so cool!
You had me at NO SEW!!! They’re adorable and I want some.
When I saw these on your Valentines mantel I was hoping you would share how you made them. I never would have guessed that they were no sew!
Amy, I LOVE these. I think you’re right- they’d be perfect in a kid’s room. Pinning!