Slipcovers are a quick and easy way to update indoor and outdoor seating for summer. Transforming a button down shirt into a slipcover is quick, easy and looks very professional. Plus you can customize it using your own prints. All you need is a button down from Goodwill, cardboard, and fabric paint.

Step 1: If you’ve never tried this before, I would recommend taking out the pillow stuffing, so that you can use the existing cover as a pattern.  If you feel more confident you can skip this step, and just add a few extra inches to each side of the pillow, without removing the stuffing.

Step 2: Lay the pillow on top of your shirt and cut out 1 in away from the edges of the pillow.

Step 3: make a cardboard stencil. Cut out any shape you like, and for a striped texture, remove the top layer of corrugated cardboard. Attach an extra piece to the back for a handle (or use a piece of tape for a handle).

Step 4: Use a soft brush to paint your stencils with fabric paint and press onto the front of your pillow.

Step 5: Once the pattern is dry, iron to heat set (or follow the directions for your own fabric paint)

Step 6: With right sides together, pin the front and back together, and sew all the way around the outside of the pillow cover. Turn right-side out.

Step 7: If you took the stuffing out of your pillow, replace it now, and sew up the open side.  If it is already intact, place it in your new pillowcase, button the buttons, and see how it looks in your space.

Experiment with different shapes and patterns, or if you find particularly interesting shirts at Goodwill you can the use the fabric as is, without printing it first.  This is a fun, quick way to change the look of your porch or living room for Spring, Give it a try and see what you think.