If you're a burlap-lover...today just might be the first day of the rest of your life! Okay so that was a major exaggeration, but I am going to share a trick that I'm sure you'll like and want to use over and over...you can print on burlap right at home using your inkjet printer!

Before we get to this easy fall project, can I just wax poetic about Fall for a minute...my favorite season! The weather has finally been cooling off a little and I feel like I have 'fall fever'. Kinda like spring fever, only I don't feel like cleaning! Which isn't very surprising as I rarely feel like cleaning...but I digress!

What I do feel like doing is pulling on my favorite flannel shirt and my tall boots and going for a walk in the leaves.

I want to curl up beside the fire with a good book, wrapped in a cozy throw, sipping hot apple cider.

I want to make a big pot of homemade chicken noodle soup.

Do you feel that way too?

This weather is totally teasing me...cooler, cooler, cooler...and then hot again. I can't wait for it to finally stay cool!!!

I could talk about fall all day, but I think you are probably eager for me to get to the pillow tutorial and show you how easy it is to print on burlap right at home!

When I read about this technique over at Domestically Speaking, I was ecstatic and couldn't wait to try it for myself. I've stenciled on burlap before...but it's a little tricky (and messy). Printing is quick and easy and delivers fabulous results!

My home decor better watch out...because with this easy trick in my arsenal, nothing is safe!

PRINTING ONTO BURLAP FROM YOUR HOME PRINTER

This post may contain affiliate links, which are always products I personally recommend! My full disclosure policy is available here. 

Materials Needed to Print On Burlap

How to Print onto Burlap

Step One: Prepare the burlap

First, cut a piece of burlap that is a little bigger than a regular sheet of copy paper. If there are threads hanging off the edges, cut them off.

Next, cut a piece of freezer paper to the same size as the burlap.

Heat an iron. You want hot, dry heat. If your burlap is really wrinkled, steam it first and then remove the water from the iron. Place the freezer paper waxy side down onto the burlap and iron. Go over it a few times, paying special attention to the edges. You want it to be stuck well, all the way around.


Leave the freezer paper stuck to the burlap and measure, mark and cut it so it's exactly 81/2 x 11.

Note: from this point on when I mention 'burlap', it's with the understanding that the freezer paper is still stuck to the back of it.

Step two: Create a printable

The printable I used for this pillow, 'happy FALL', was created in PicMonkey, You are welcome to grab it here and use it (as always, my free printables are for your personal use only please)...or use something else you have created. Just make sure your printable doesn't have any really fine details. You want to pick fonts/images that are bold and well defined.

Step Three: Send burlap through the printer

My printer, a Kodak Hero, was being a little bit testy and either couldn't recognize the edges or told me I had a paper jam. I had to feed the burlap through the machine several times to get it to actually print on the burlap. I found it helped to have a small stack of printer paper behind the burlap/freezer paper.
If your printer is being difficult too, keep trying. You might find you'll need to remove the extra paper from behind the burlap. Once the printer accepts it, it will go very quickly. I think I tried to print it 5-6 times before the printer took it.

Note: If you get to the end of your rope and your burlap just will not print, head to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and pick up a package of laminated burlap sheets. Only the back is laminated, but it makes the burlap sturdy and each to send through a printer.


Once it comes out of the printer, peel the freezer paper away and you are ready to create something with your beautiful new printed burlap!

You can frame the burlap like I did here with this burlap printed pumpkin, or create a pillow like I did. Keep reading for the instructions on making a pillow using the printed burlap that we just made.

How to Make A Pillow Using Printed Burlap

To make a pillow cover, you're going to need to know a little something about sewing with a machine.

Materials Needed:

Step Four:

Cut and hem the second back piece and lay it over the first. Remember, the fronts of the pillow cover need to be on the INSIDE!! So I have my pillow front with the burlap piece FACE UP and I will lay the two hemmed back pieces FACE DOWN on top (front sides are together!)

Pin it all the way around and sew.

Step Five:

Once it is completely sewn, all the way around, trim the corners. That will reduce some of the bulk when we turn it right-side out.

Step Six:

Turn the pillow cover right side out. Push out the corners, using a straight pin if needed.


Here is what the back of mind looks like before adding the pillow. Excuse the wrinkles...looks like I need to iron it again!


The beauty of this type of closure is that your pillow cover is so easy to remove when it's time to change it out!


I hope you found this tutorial useful and are ready to make some pillow covers of your own, with printed burlap fronts!

I know I'll be using this technique to print on more burlap to use in many ways around my home. It's a great technique for making budget-friendly home decor like this printed burlap sign.

Have a fabulous weekend!


bringing beauty to the ordinary,