This is a super-easy method for making a fun throw-pillow. This project is practically no-sew as well! I saw a throw like this last year in Crate & Barrel or Pottery Barn, or one of those magazines, and thought: I could make that. And now, you can too.
Here are your supplies: heavy canvas fabric, felt for the circles, sharp scissors, Elmer’s glue, DMC floss, and a biggish needle for embellishing, batting/stuffing and fabric for the pillow backing.
Gather the variety of felt you’d like to use. Scraps are great. I used mostly the el-cheapo felt from any craft/big-box sewing stores, but because I wanted a few more color options I bought a little bit of the nicer wool-felt from a quilt shop. Using a fine-tip Sharpie trace different circle shapes on the felt. Look around your house for a variety of circle sizes. I used my Accuquilt GO! Cutter die cuts for a bunch of mine. Love it!
Cut the canvas to the size you want your finished throw pillow to be + at least ¼″ on all sides for seam allowance. This project will work best with heavy canvas or duck cloth. (I had some left over from this throw pillow last year.) Lay out the circles on the felt, playing with colors and size until you get a look that you like. (Pretend there isn’t any embellishing on these circles yet – I got excited and forgot to take a picture of that part.)
Now pull out that Elmer’s glue. I loved the way the Elmer’s worked. Wasn’t too heavy or messy (or hot), plus it’s washable. Glue sticks won’t work. (I tried it.) Apply a very small line around all the edges of the circle and a dab in the middle. YOU DON’T NEED MUCH! If you put too much on it could get bumpy and dry clumpy. A very little bit works great and won’t show up like bumpy patches under the felt. The heavy canvas helps provide great stability. I was amazed how well these circles stuck. At first I was just going to use the glue to hold things down temporarily and then sew them in place, but they stuck so well, I didn’t need to sew!
Working with your circles already in position, pick-up one at a time and glue it in place. Start with the circles that aren’t double or triple layered.
If you are going to embellish with any kind of stitching on the double/triple layered circles do it BEFORE you glue them to the canvas. I glued the small circles on top of the big circles and then embellished when the glue was dry. I used a simple running stitch, back stitch or whip-stitch (above.) This part is totally optional because that glue works!
When all circles are in place, cut a back to match your front. Pin on all sides. Leave a 5-6″ opening on one side and sew the rest of the way around.
When done machine sewing, carefully clip corners before turning the pillow right-side out.
Generously stuff that pillow full and whip-stitch the opening shut and voila! A quick, fun little holiday throw-pillow! I made this so fast- one afternoon easily. I can’t wait to try it in non-Christmas colors.
em's scrapbag
What a simply fun project. Thanks for sharing.
Kimberly
I LOVE it!!!! thanks you so much for sharing.
Jennifer
So cute! This would be a great project to do with my daughter…<br /><br />Jennifer 🙂
Sarah@PingsAndNeedles
it's a scrummy tutorial – thank you <br /><br />felt – it's where we all start as little children … and where we all come back for comfort<br /><br /> … mmmmm felt …
Dena
This looks like a fun project to do with my granddaughter. Thanks!
kimland
This is SUPER cute, LOVE it…thanks for sharing!!!
Anonymous
Do you think you could use hot glue, just to make sure the dots are stuck on extra good? <br />Thanks for this tutorial, it is so cute, and easy! I am going to do this the week before Christmas.
Kimberly
I. Love. This.<br /><br />SO much.
ificould
This is so adorable!!! Love it so much I posted a link: http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/2010/12/felt-circle-pillow.html<br /><br />Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />Grab a featured button if you want: http://ificould-ificould.blogspot.com/p/featured-sites.html
felicity
Beautiful cushion, Amy! I love the brights on white.
Naturally Carol
Your georgeous cushion has a lovely retro look to it, I love the peppermint green in the mix with the bright red and emerald!
Lori
very adorable pillow! i love the stitching that shows on top.
Jennifer
Amazing! This is such a fun pillow. I featured you today on my favorite things 🙂
Morgane @ Bear,Dolly and Moi
very cute pillow, and esay to make, the best kind.<br />thanks for visiting.<br />I am follwing you now.
Quiltstory
Love love <i>love</i>!!! Seriously. I have to bookmark this for next year.
miss~nance
What a cute & funky cusion. <br /><br />Gail
Conny's Cottage
Hello<br /><br />wath a great tutorial,tahnk you for cherr.<br /><br /><br />greatings send you Conny<br /><br />I LIKE THE CUSON
Katie
I'm loving this felt circle pillow–very festive for the holidays!
nancybabb
Hi Amy,<br /><br />I just stumbled over here from Pinterest…because of the stocking post and just kept reading! Love both the stocking (will try) and the pillow…. I just have to share something I blogged last year… something a friend taught me about turning pillow corners… life changing "how to"! http://nancybabb-classes.blogspot.com/2011/03/
D`P
Very cool pillow, I love it 🙂 I'm glad that I found your blog, best wishes…<br /><a href="http://degerlendiriyorum.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">! •• Değerlendiriyorum ve Paylaşıyorum •• !</a>
hidayah sumiyani
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Grace Hood
This is super cute. I'll have to whip up a few of these for my living room! Thanks for the tutorial.