The Technique

Once you master the basic technique of painting on microsuede fabric, you'll be able to personalize every room in your house with pillows custom-made by you.

• Painter's tape
• Latex paints: sage green, blue, indigo, lavender, and antique white
• Sea sponge
• Paint tray
• Microsuede fabric

For best results, paint the microsuede before you sew it together or stuff it.

1. On the right side of the microsuede, use painter's tape to mark off the rectangle pattern.
2. Load a clean, dry sea sponge with the lavender paint, pressing any excess paint back onto the paint tray.
3. Dab on the paint inside the center-most rectangle. While the paint is still wet, dab a light mix of lavender plus antique white on top of the darker shade to create the subtle sponge pattern shown.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the next-largest rectangle using two shades of blue paint.
5. Repeat step 2 and 3 again on the outermost rectangle, using two shades of sage green paint. Allow the pillow cloth to dry thoroughly before sewing it together, at least 24 hours.