It’s time again, young ones, for a lesson in DIY. If you have a inexplicable affinity for irregular, lumpy pillows…then do I have a project for you! Make a few felt decorative pillows to brighten any room. 

If you are looking at the above pillows and thinking, Those look freaking terrible, then BACK OFF!! These two were the first I’ve ever made in my life, and I made them in high school. You guys can be so judgmental sometimes. You know, yours may even look this unprofessional the first couple of tries. Anyway, these are posted so you get the gist of the project; since then, I have mastered the seams and shapes in a myriad of styles, so don’t worry your pretty little heads.

To begin, start sketching! Always, always draft, draft, and redraft your ideas until you are totally happy! See, I apparently loved my teacup design because I made the damn thing twice.

Next, visit your local craft store. Grab as many colors of felt as you desire (I typically desire three or four colors for simplicity and repetition) and have them cut in appropriate size sheets. If you’re going for a smaller pillow, most stores have pre-cut rectangles for sale, which are around seventy cents apiece. While you’re still there, hit up the thread and string section. I prefer to use that string with which you made friendship bracelets; you know the stuff, don’t be coy. I usually grab one color for all stitching in the design and another color that is identical to the casing so the stitches don’t show. Last on the list, pillow stuffing.

Once you’re back and ready to work, cut out your shapes. Sometimes, I’ll use a Sharpie (product placement) to make my outlines. If you choose to Sharpie it up, be sure you draw the shape backwards so that the showing side has no marks. When all your shapes are cut, begin your hand-stitching! I like those big, spaced-out stitches for a more cutesy-wootsy feel. 

Alright, you’re looking at your finished front case, and you are so pleased. Well, here comes the boring part. Place your back, blank case felt down. Set the front, appliqued case face down onto the back case. Yeah, it will look like a big, blank pile. Sew your front and back case felt together on THREE sides…count ‘em…three. On the fourth side, sew the cases together but leave enough room for your hand to enter the pillow. Flip the case inside-out so that it appears the way you would display it. You guessed it! It’s pillow stuffing time! Stuff that baby full of that soft, velvety fluff. Now sew up the remainder of the pillow as discreetly as possible. Ta-Da!

Other Final Seam Suggestions:
1. Sew up two parallel sides (like the north and south sides) while inside-out. Flip properly, and sew the third size in a noticeable, stylish stitch. Be sure to turn the felt inward about a quarter-inch on each side so the edges will not be rough. Stuff! Now, sew the fourth side the same as the third. 

2. Create a regular style pillow case with your felt. Simply stuff cotton fabric and sew shut. Insert the cotton pillow into the felt case. You can leave the fourth side open, or you could sew a ribbon or two on the front and back cases’ ends and tie closed. Make sure the last side is hemmed, so it looks nice, neat, and finished!

3. Are you edgy? Try sewing a zipper in the last side. I would suggest the cotton pillow casing in this scenario, as well.

4. Button, button. Who’s got the button? You could. Try Suggestion 3 with decorative buttons.



UGH! It’s good to be back online. Good news, Alabama readers! Kyle and I have just moved back home. I’m so glad to be able to spend time with our families and friends again!