DIY Christmas Pillows | Cover with Tree Applique

If you have scraps of fabric leftover from your Christmas crafts, why not put them to good use with this DIY Christmas pillows tutorial. Nothing makes Christmas seem more exciting or near than decorating the tree and the house.

DIY CHRISTMAS PILLOWS

These DIY Christmas pillows were made by combining several of my previous tutorials so if you have been following along on my blog this year you will be ready to go!

The tutorials I have combined to make this Chrismas pillow are:

1. How to Make a Cushion Cover with Piping
2. Christmas Applique: Tree T-shirt
3. How to Make Pom Poms
4. How to make Piping

DIY Christmas Pillows - Supplies

• Main Fabric – use decorator fabric or cotton quilting fabrics
• Scrap Fabric for the tree
• Piping – you can use store-bought or make your own piping
• Yarn for the pom poms
• Cushion insert - this can be any size square insert
• Sewing machine Feet - Regular and Zipper sewing machine foot

DIY Christmas Pillows - Instructions

Step 1 - Cutting

Start by cutting the fabric pieces in the sizes indicated in the cushion cover with piping tutorial. My cushion insert measured 14 inches across so I cut the following:

• FRONT (cut 1)  - 15 x 15 inches (38x38cm)
• BACK (cut 2) - 15 x 12 inches (38x30.5cm)

Here are the cutting sizes for some common square inserts.

Step 2 - Applique

Once cut out, I appliqued the FRONT with the Christmas Applique tree pattern from the tutorial I posted last week. There is a printable template for the triangle piece included in this tutorial.

Instead of turning the edges of the triangles under, I simply left them raw and used a small applique zig-zag. If you prefer to turn the edges under then do that instead.

Step 3 - Make the Cushion

Piping

After adding the applique to the front, I added the piping from the how to make a cushion cover with piping tutorial. I made my own piping from a pretty red and white spot fabric. Very Christmassy!  I think a red and white striped piping would have looked really nice also.  

Further Reading How to Make Piping

Steps to Sewing Piping

1. Pin the piping with raw edges matching all around your cushion front.
2. For the corners, curve the piping around and snip small cuts around the outside of the piping to make it bend.
3. Overlap the ends of the piping so they gently go off the edge.
4. Baste the piping to the cushion, stitching close to the stitching line on the piping. When you attach the piping to the edge of the front, don't forget to use your zipper foot. It is really hard to sew piping with a regular foot.

Backs

1. Continue adding the backs to the cushion as indicated in the how to make a cushion cover with piping tutorial.
2. Hem the inside edges of the backs.
3. Overlap the backs to the back becomes the same size as the front.
4. Baste the top and bottom of the overlaps.
5. Put the front and back with right sides together and stitch around the cushion. You will need to use a zipper foot to stitch on top of the basting stitch. The more accurate your stitching, the better the piping will look.
6. Finish the seam, clip the corners and turn the cushion the right way out.
7. Press well.

Step 4 - Add Pom Poms

Then lastly, when it was all finished, I added pom-poms to the corners. Pom poms can be purchased in most craft stores or you can make your own.

Want to make your own pom poms in a fun matching yarn? I have a tutorial for that too!

Read: How to Make a Pom Pom.

Now all you need a comfortable chair to put your cushion on and a good book or movie for relaxation!

Merry Christmas! DIy Christmas Pillows

If you enjoyed this DIY Christmas pillows tutorial please comment below and share this page.

MORE CHRISTMAS PROJECTS

If you are making DIY Christmas pillows, you obviously like to sew! Here are more Christmas crafts to sew. Make sure you check out my Christmas Gifts to Sew article as well.

1. 25+ Christmas Gifts to Sew
2. DIY Christmas Pillows
3. Christmas Tree Applique
4. How to Make a Gift Bag
5. Gift Ideas for Sewers | 18 BEST Ideas from Santa
6. How to Make Gift Bags from Fabric in 5 minutes –  4 sizes
7. DIY Christmas Coasters: Free Pattern Template
8. Tea Towel Apron TUTORIAL: Quick and Easy
9. Christmas Tree Skirt Pattern