I was wanting some more graphic, modern-looking Christmas throws and had an idea.
The story of this pillow starts here, funny enough.
I made this Halloween costume last year and had a much easier time sewing on the felt cross of St. George to the knight tunic than I thought I would. So as I was pondering my new pillow design, I remembered I had plenty of supplies left over from Halloween and decided to put them to use.
Here are the supplies I used: canvas, Heat N Bond, and red felt.
Also needed for finishing: stuffing (or pillow form) and backing fabric.
The canvas works really well – gives the throw pillow stability and shape. I used the cheap flannel this time. Usually I prefer wool, but the cheap stuff works really well for this project. (And, knowing these pillows will probably end up serving as a path over ‘hot lava’ or elements of various couch forts, I’ll panic less knowing that these pillows weren’t that costly.) I would also suggest HeatNBond on the heavier side. I used a light-weight one and it took some effort to get it to work with the heavier felt and canvas.
Here’s the fun part: To start, cut your own snowflake. May I recommend a really simple pattern. It’s much easier to cut and sew the felt if you don’t have too many curves or windows. This is the snowflake I cut for the pillow above. I used an 8 ½″ square piece of paper, folded into sixths.
Carefully press the traced HeatNBond onto the felt.
Cut out the snowflake.
Cut a square from your canvas. I cut a 14″ square because I had a 14″ pillow form.
Fold the square into fourths (creasing the folds) to find the center and stick in a pin.
Peel the paper from the back of the snowflake, fold into fourths and find the center.
This is such a quick project. I made three pillows in one evening. And you don’t have to stop at snowflakes! I found some felt in shades of green that I liked and tried something else. Have fun. Be creative. And send me pictures if you make anything fun!
I couldn’t resist showing the holly pillow backing fabric, because I love it so much. Cute little retro-kids from Michael Miller.
Calli
So cute Amy, I think I need to make one or two for me. It may not happen until January… but it looks so fun and easy, I can't wait to make a pillow.
Kim Walus
Love those pillows. I just wish I had time to make them. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
amber
way cute, I love them
Molly
Darling pillows !! But I am going to have to add them to my list for next year, which I probably will start working on Dec. 26th !! Thanks for sharing
Sew Create It - Jane
Cute pillow and great tutorial! :o)
Aunt Spicy
props on the airplane engineering!<br /><br />oh and the pillow tutorial is great as well 🙂
Laura
I'm filing this away for next year. Thanks for sharing, you ubertalented lady, you!
Isa
Lovely pillows!<br />Thank you for sharing
Sherri
So cute…all of them! Oh, and love the airplane sculpture too!
Alisa
I love the snowflake pillow. What kind of felt did you use?
angela
Awesome Duplo airplane! And I love those pillows, too. The red and white are such a striking combo.
Terresa
Working with felt is fun and forgiving; it makes all sorts of crafts seem possible, even to someone who breaks a needle in my sewing machine pretty much every time I sew something.<br /><br />Love the tutorials, keep 'em coming!
V and Co.
i.love.it!
Petit Elefant
For the record, I love the airplane sculpture, nice work.<br /><br />The pillows are AWESOME, the look like something straight out of a West Elm catalog.
Blogless me
Lovely work – makes me want to make a pillow or two – just don't tell my husband 😉 I was also wondering what type of felt you use.<br />Congratulations to the young constructor – well done sweetheart!<br />Have a joyful and cosy Christmas!
lera
Cute pillows, Amy.
Nanette Merrill and daughters
Oh I so understand the 3 year old wanting to be part of things. Sweet. The pillows are all lovely. I especially like them grouped together with the vintage kids pillow.
Kristen
YAY!! So cute, I can't wait to make one for my sister for X-mas, thanks for re-posting it. <br />And as we speak my son and his 2 BFF's are hanging out in the living room with LEGOs everywhere. What boy doesn't love them?
Nima
lovely pillows. I would love to invite you for the christmas pillow linky party in my blog. Please do come and join the party with your lovely pillow
withajoyfulheart
Visiting over from your 60 degree triangle star pillow…love this, simple yet makes a statement. What a great design!