Fall 2026 🍂 Harvest Blessing: A Vintage-Inspired Plaque with a Touch of Golden Glow
Featuring Melissa Bradshaw
Give a simple wood plaque a beautiful autumn makeover with the Harvest Blessing Transfer! Layer distressed ...
Turn a simple pillow cover into cozy autumn decor with rub-on transfers! 🍁✨ In this project, Renee shows how to layer pumpkins and “Harvest Blessings” from the Heirloom Harvest Transfer Set onto fabric.
She also shares a helpful finishing trick: adding a matte top coat to help protect the transfer and make the pillow easier to spot-clean.
Grab your favorite fall transfers and let’s get started! 🧡
Start with a pre-ironed 12" x 20" outdoor pillow cover. Make sure the fabric is completely clean and dry before applying your transfers.
If the pillow cover has wrinkles, place parchment paper over the fabric and press it first. You want a smooth surface before you begin.
Next, unzip the pillow cover and slide a piece of cardboard or another firm backing sheet inside. This creates a sturdy work surface and helps prevent your top coat from soaking through to the back of the pillow.
Tip: Avoid applying transfers when there is lotion or oil on your hands. These can act as a resist and interfere with adhesion.
Grab the Heirloom Harvest Transfer Set and choose the elements you want to use.
For this pillow, cut the “Harvest Blessings” design and the pumpkin elements apart so they can be arranged individually. This gives you the freedom to create a layout that fits your pillow perfectly.
Arrange all of your pieces on the pillow before transferring anything. Move the pumpkins and lettering around until you're happy with the spacing and placement.
You can eyeball the placement as Renee did, or use a ruler if you prefer a more precise layout.
Planning your design first makes it much easier to create a balanced finished look.
Once you're happy with your layout, start with the pumpkins along the bottom section of the pillow.
Remove the backing from the transfer and position the design over the fabric. Once you're happy with the placement, use the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool to burnish the entire design.
Rub firmly over the entire design, paying special attention to the edges and smaller details.
A firm surface makes a big difference here. With the cardboard inside the pillow, you can apply enough pressure to work the transfer into the texture of the fabric.
When you've thoroughly burnished the design, slowly peel away the carrier sheet. Watch the transfer as you peel to make sure every detail has adhered.
If you see a section that hasn't transferred completely, simply lay the carrier sheet back down and rub that area again.
Repeat the process with the remaining pumpkin pieces, using the first pieces as a guide for spacing and alignment.
Now it's time to add the wording to the upper portion of the pillow.
Position the “Harvest Blessings” design between the pumpkin pieces. You can eyeball the center or measure if you'd like a more precise placement.
Remove the backing and carefully press the transfer onto the fabric.
Use the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool to burnish the entire design. Take your time around the smaller lettering and detailed areas.
Slowly peel away the carrier sheet while checking the transfer. If any detail stays behind, simply place the sheet back down and burnish that area again.
Once the carrier sheet is removed, your fall design is complete! 🍂
Here's Renee's trick for giving the finished pillow a little extra protection.
Choose a non-yellowing, UV-protective top coat with a matte or flat finish. A matte finish helps keep the pillow looking natural rather than glossy.
Renee uses a matte varnish for this step. Liquitex Acrylic Medium Matte Varnish is one option, and Fusion Mineral Paint's Clear Tough Coat in Matte is another.
Before applying the sealer, you can use painter's tape around the design as a guide. This helps you keep the application where you want it.
Using a clean brush, apply an even coat over the transferred design. Because the pillow fabric has texture, work the sealer gently into the little bumps and grooves.
Keep the cardboard inside the pillow cover while applying the top coat. This helps prevent the sealer from soaking through to the other side.
Allow the top coat to dry completely according to the product's directions. Depending on the product and fabric, you may decide to add a second coat once the first is completely dry.
The goal is to give your transfer a little extra protection and make the decorative pillow easier to spot-clean.
Once everything is completely dry, your seasonal pillow is ready to enjoy!
We love the idea of using one pillow insert with several seasonal covers. Create a fall version now, then switch it out for Christmas, spring, or an everyday design when the season changes.
And if you sell at craft fairs or seasonal markets, these customized pillow covers can make fun handmade pieces for your customers, too!
Bring some fall charm to your home with the Heirloom Harvest Transfer Set. Pair it with the Essential Rub-On Transfer Tool for smooth, even application.
```htmlThen explore more Essential Stencil rub-on transfers and start planning your next seasonal project! 🍂✨
Happy creating!
Fall 2026 Featuring Melissa Bradshaw
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