When it comes to pillows, we're very particular. We prefer a mushy, down-filled pillow that can be squished and fluffed throughout the night., while our husband prefers an extra-firm number. So we decided to turn a pair of plain pillowcases into his-and-hers stenciled pillowcases that should eliminate any groggy guesswork when we're headed off to dreamland. Here's how we did it...

You Will Need:

• Access to a computer and printer
  
• 2 cotton pillowcases
  
• Freezer paper (available in any grocery store)
  
• Fabric paint in your desired color(s)
  
• Paintbrush
  
• Pencil
  
• X-Acto knife
  
• Iron and ironing board

Instructions

1. Find a font you like on your computer, and use a graphics or word processing program to type out the words you want to stencil onto your pillowcases. We made our letters about 6" tall and used the front "Century Gothic". Print out copies of the words you would like to stencil. You can create a stencil that says whatever you want, or you could also draw shapes freehand.


2. Tape the printout onto a sunny window. Cut a piece of freezer paper that is larger than the word you have printed out by at least a couple of inches and tape it over your printout, with the shiny side facing away from you. Use a pencil to trace the letters onto the freezer paper.


3. Using an X-Acto knife, cut the letters out of the freezer paper. (Tip: For letters such as the lower case "e" in "hers", be sure to retain the small half-circle shape from inside the "e".)


4. Iron the pillowcase flat and place the freezer paper stencil shiny-side down on top. Use a medium-heat iron with no steam to adhere the stencil to the fabric. The shiny side will melt with the heat of your iron, fusing temporarily to the fabric to create a stencil that fabric paint won't seep beneath.


5. Once the stencil is cool, you can slip a piece of cardboard or newspaper into the pillowcase (to protect the other side) and paint over the stencil using fabric paint. One coat should be all you need. Allow to dry.


6. Once paint is dry, peel off the stencil. If your fabric paint requires you to heat-set it with an iron, you can do so at this time. Otherwise, slip the pillowcases on to your pillows and take a nap!

Be sure to check out Jenny's previous DIY project, How To: Make Upcycled Quilted Coasters

Jenny Ryan is the recent author of Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish and also and is also co-owner of the Home Ec. Department at Reform School.