First blog post! We are so excited to get started on regular blogging to give our customers insight into our design and creation process. First up is a sneak peek on how we made our zip code pillows.

My daughter, Rachel took a printmaking class in college and was happy to work on this project with me, so we made a day of it. We printed assorted local Frederick area zip codes on transparency sheets and got to work burning them onto the screens we had prepared with Speedball Diazo photo emulsion (which can be quite messy until you get the process down!). We turned the basement kitchenette into a darkroom and worked by the light of a single yellow bulb so the emulsion would not harden prematurely. After burning and rinsing out the unexposed emulsion, our screens were ready for printing!

We took over the main kitchen upstairs during the printing process; my big kitchen island was the perfect place for working comfortably while standing. Rachel and I tag teamed – Rachel pulling the ink through the screen while I neatly folded the finished pillow fronts and cleaned recently completed screens. The printed fabric quickly took over the kitchen and overflowed into the dining room. The whole family enjoyed the process and, after a few, we were becoming efficient enough that another of my daughters had to lend a hand as well.

 

Once dried and ironed for color fastness, the next step is to put it all together. There are currently two styles available – standard stuffed pillows with trim and without trim. I’m working on an upgraded option that would include a removable cover with zipper closure and a down alternative pillow form. Once sewn together with the ticking backing and stuffed, the pillows measure approximately 14.75″ wide and 11″ tall. This size is perfect for a throw pillow on a couch or armchair!

If you love your hometown, this pillow is for you. They also make great housewarming gifts – especially for real estate agents welcoming clients to their new neighborhood! If you don’t see your zip code in the dropdown, feel free to let us know. We will be happy to work with you to accommodate your request (screen fee may be required).

We enjoyed the process of making these zip code pillows so much that we’ve added screen printed Maryland flag pillows to the mix as well and are working on even more new designs. If you have an idea for a bulk order of custom designed pillows (whether business, family etc.) we can work with yo!u on pricing. Contact us to get started!