Categories: Decor, Pillow, Holiday, Fall

So simple, so fun, so decorative. We made these fun word pillows for Thanksgiving using only some fabric we found in our stash and letters we found online. We will show you how to attach the letters two different ways depending on the look you want to achieve. And although we made ours for the holidays you can customize them for any occasion. Plus they make wonderful personalized gifts for your friends and family.

What you need to make this project

Materials: For "Give Thanks" Pillow:; 1 yd background fabric; 1 Fat Quarter of fabric for letters; 1 Crafter's Choice Bench Pillow (16" x 38"); 1/2 yd Stabilize fusible interfacing; For "gather" Pillow:; 1/2 yd Background fabric; 1/4 yd fabric for letters; 1/4 yd Stick fusible interfacing; 1 Crafter's Choice pillow (12" x 16"); Coordinating thread

Supplies: Temporary Ink Marking pen; Iron; Sewing Machine; Basic sewing supplies

Instructions

Step One

Please note: for the lettering on these two pillows we simply chose some lettering we found online to use as a beginning base and then enhanced them freehand, but you can use any templates or stencils you choose.

For “Give Thanks” Pillow:

Cut two 17.5″ x 42″ pieces from the background fabric. Place one on the table with the right side facing up. Use a temporary ink marking pen to make a dotted line across the pillow front equal distance from the top and bottom. This will help you line up the letters.

Step Two

Place the fabric you have chosen for the lettering on a table right side down and place the Stabilize interfacing on the top adhesive side down. Use a pressing cloth and iron the interfacing to the back of the fabric. This will help keep the fabric from fraying until you sew it. Now turn the fabric over so right side is up, pin you letter templates to the fabric and cut out your letters.

Step Three

Using the dotted line as a guide lay the letters evenly across the front of the pillow fabric and pin in place. Use a zig zag stitch to applique the letters to the fabric.

Step Four

Put the front and back pieces of fabric together and sew around three sides using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and leaving one of the shorter ends open. Turn right side out. Fold the open end in about 3/4 inch and pin.

Step Five

Now top stitch about 1/2 inch in around the three sides of the pillow including the edge of the open end but leaving the end open.

Step Six

Insert pillow form pin closed and stitch 1/2 inch from the end.

Step Seven

For the “gather” pillow:

Cut two pieces 13″ x 17″ from the background fabric and set aside. Place the piece of fabric for the letters on the table with the right side facing down. Place the piece of Stick interfacing on top and pin to the fabric. Turn over and pin the template for the letters to the fabric making sure you are also pinning through the Stick interfacing on the back. Cut out the letters.

Step Eight

Place the piece of fabric for the front of the pillow on the table right side facing up. Center the letters on the fabric. Very carefully remove the pins and template from the letters. Gently lay a pressing cloth on top and iron on med-hi heat to attach the letters to the fabric.

Step Nine

Put the pillow front and back fabric together right sides facing in. Pin and sew three sides together using 1/4 inch seam allowance and leaving one of the shorter ends open. Turn right side out. Fold the open end in about 1/2 inch and pin. Now top stitch about 1/4 inch in around the three sides of the pillow including the edge of the open end but leaving the end open.