DIY Life

Trying to find the perfect going-away gift for someone? Something that says you'll never forget me, and I'll always be with you? Maybe a friend who's relocating, or a high school graduate that is college bound? Make them a throw pillow from a photo!

All you will need for this project is thin fabric (white works best, and makes the image more crisp, but you can use regular muslin for an antiqued look), freezer paper, interfacing, needle, thread, and stuffing. You will also need a computer, scanner or digital camera, printer, iron, sewing machine, scissors, and pins.

After choosing and arranging your photo how you would like it, you may want to do a quick print out on regular paper, just to see how your photo will turn out. (Keep in mind the image needs to fit onto your fabric and through the printer, and most printers will only allow for 8 1/2" x 11" )

Next, you will iron the shiny side of the freezer paper onto your fabric. Cut it down to 8 1/2" x 11". Now you are ready to print.

Once you have printed your photo onto your fabric, cut around the shape leaving room for a seam allowance. Sew your printed piece to a plain piece of the same size (leaving about two inches for stuffing purposes), turn it out, and stuff. Hand-sew your opening.

You definitely don't have to stop with just pillows. You can even use this method of printing onto fabric to make personalized sachets, book covers, or mini photo art for your walls.