Handmade Holiday Pillow

Materials Needed:

• fleece fabric for the front and back of your pillow (size according to an existing pillow or insert OR decide on a new measurement and buy filling too)
• felt for the letters
• pins
• scissors

• computer with printer
• lightweight paper (for tracing)
• pencil
• sewing machine

Cut Pillow Fabric

First, pick fleece fabric and felt (a festive or bright color is fun for this craft project). Then decide what size and shape you're making. You can make a slipcover for a pillow you already own or sew a new pillow with an insert pillow or stuffing inside. Using your fleece, cut a front and back to your pillow then start on the letters.

Design and Attach Letters

Create and print your letters on paper first; use a Word doc, Silhouette cutter, Cricut or draw them by hand. The font on this pillow is Impact at 500-point size. To save on toner, outline the letters by highlighting the letters, go to Format, Font, and click “outline.” Cut out the letters and trace them to felt. Tip: Tracing the letters backward reduces the chance of stray pen marks showing on the right side of the fabric. Cut out the felt letters and pin them in place on the pillow front. Using a sewing machine, sew each letter to the pillow front, leaving about 1/8 inch from the edge of the letter. When sewing circular letters don't tug the fabric or it will be stretched and wonky. Sew small bits at a time and then stop, lift your presser foot and allow the fabric to bounce back.

Finish and Stuff

Finally, sew the front and back of your pillow together and stuff, or add pillow insert.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-