Fall pillow

Click image to enlarge

Designer: Stacey Kingman

This adorable pillow was so easy to make. Since it has a “primitive” look, I allowed myself many imperfections while putting it together. There’s lots of variety here - I used my sewing machine and I did some hand stitching, used felt and burlap and fabric scraps, as well as lots of fun, old mismatched buttons. Even with an easy, nothing’s-just-right project like this, there are some good measurements that have to happen. This wasn’t a problem because I had the 12-in-1 Sewing Multi Tool every step of the way. That tape measure feature is a great help! For the hand stitching and button sewing, I relied on the piercing tool in the 12-in-1 Sewing Multi Tool to make holes before I stitched. It makes a perfect hole in felt and made my hand stitching a breeze. Seriously, if I can make this pillow, anyone can. Have fun!

Difficulty rating

Instructions (Print version)

1. Measure and cut two 14” X 18” panels of felt. At the corners, mark 13” X 17”. This will help you keep your design in the center of the pillow. Set one panel aside.
2. Cut an slightly lopsided orange burlap pumpkin that is approximately 10” X 7”. As you cut pieces, place them on the felt panel.
3. Cut a nose from purple felt that is approximately 1 ½” X 3 ¼”, wider at the bottom than at the top.
4. Using the rotary cutter, cut a 1 ½” X 5 ½” mouth from scrap fabric.

5. Using the Ultra ShapExpress templates, trace two circles and two stars. Cut them out. For the second smaller star, cut one of the stars down from its original size.
6. Freehand cut a pumpkin stem that is 2 ½” X 1 ½”.
7. Place your orange burlap piece 2 ½-3” above the bottom of the felt panel. Set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch and stitch around the pumpkin. (You could pin this to keep the fabric in place – or not. I didn’t and it turned out just like I wanted it to!)
8. Next, machine stitch the mouth, nose, stem, and stars onto the front using a straight stitch.

9. Using the piercing tool on the 12-in-1 Sewing Multi Tool, pierce holes in the eye circles and hand stitch those on – I used two different stitch patterns for fun.
10. Pierce holes for the buttons and sew those on.
11. Now, place the felt panels right sides together and machine stitch around three sides of the pieces, leaving the top unstitched.
12. Turn the pillow cover right side out and place the pillow form inside.
13. I had several ideas about how to finish the top but decided to just sew straight across the top without hiding the cut edge at all. Then I tied the corners with jute.

Supplies:
Fiskars : 12-59777097 12-in1 Sewing Multi-Tool
Fiskars : 94767097 Softgrip No. 5 Micro-tip Scissors – Oversized handles
Fiskars : 12-87287097 3.5 X 18.5-inch Ruler
Fiskars : 48677097 Shape Cutting Template - Flowers
Fiskars : 12-25937097 Shape Cutting Template – Shapes & Flowers
Fiskars : 12-97937097 Comfort Grip 45mm Rotary Cutter
Kimberly Poloson : Ribbon Card (jute)

Other – Felt, burlap, buttons, fabric scraps, pen, thread, pillow form