{Tutorial} How to Make Jonathan Adler Knock Off Letter Pillow

To me, Jonathan Adler’s style is chic-meets-cheeky-meets-trendy-meets-vintage. So it’s perfectly fitting for one of his signature accessories to be a needlepoint pillow, don’t you agree? I absolutely ADORE all of his pillows, especially the Jonathan Adler Initial Pillow. I love the way the old school needlepoint pillows complements  his modern designs. 

I would seriously love to try to knock off that “Nothing Tastes As Good As Skinny Feels” pillow too! 

So, when I saw this letter monogram needlepoint pillow,  I was in love. You know I love me a monogram. 

Then I remembered I had a cream pillow cover that had seen better days…and I already had all of the other supplies I would need!

My Jonathan Adler Knock Off Version- FREE

OK, so mine is not an actual needlepoint Jonathan Adler Initial Pillow. 
I do not intend to take up needlepointing any time soon.

However, paint brushes and I get along pretty well. 
And FrogTape too. We are good buds.

This one is nap-time certified- it took about 30 minutes. 
Here’s how I did it!

Step 1: Make Your Letter Stencil

First, I attempted to find a font that resembled the “M” on the Jonathan Adler initial pillow. 
However, after about 4 tries, I decided to just pull the “M” pillow from the website and blow it up to make my stencil. 
Here is the example printed on a 11×17 page. 
TIP: I am actually really happy I went this way, because it is an exact Jonathan Adler Knock-Off match!

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

Black Acrylic Paint
Fabric Paint (not sure if you need, but I had it, so I used it)
Wax Paper
Frogtape
White/Cream Pillow Cover
Homemade Letter Stencil
TIP: Wax paper is delicate. Afraid of using an exacto-knife like me? (long story that involves stitches for my sissy) Use hair shears to cut the wax paper. Or I read you can use Freezer Paper to make a stencil, it might work better, but I only had wax paper on hand.

Step 3: Tape off your border

Be sure to press down on the tape to ensure no paint leakage.
TIP: I used a paint stirrer as my guide. Thanks Home Depot! 🙂

Step 4: Iron on the Letter Stencil

Step 5: Paint Your Pillow!

Once your tape and stencil are on, you are ready to paint.
 I just dabbed paint on until it looked fully covered. 

Here is where I started to doubt this DIY knock-off pillow. 
Was this going to be a craft fail? 
I know how well Frogtape does on the wall, but with wax paper on fabric? Ouch.
Black paint on cream fabric? 
Double ouch.
TIP: Line the inside of the pillow cover with wax paper to avoid paint seeping through to other side.

Step  6: Remove the Paint & Stencil 

Peel off the tape and stencil and admire your handy work. 
BAM! No craft fail here! 🙂
TIP: USE FROGTAPE! It is more expensive, but so worth it!