How to Applique & Throw Pillow Project

Lots and lots of my readers have been asking to learn how to applique. There is a full lesson on it in the Learn to Sew series from last year. But since people were still asking I thought I would put together an even easier applique project for you to practice and try. And…this is one of the project options for January in the Sew Crazy Monthly Challenge. Here’s my cute Monster Applique Pillow:

I thought my cute monsters turned out great. But you can do this pillow with ANY design! Take your pick!

How to Applique a Throw Pillow:

Supplies Needed:

• Pillow Form in your desired size
• Fabric to applique with
• Fabric for the pillow
• Paper backed fusible adhesive such as Heat n Bond
• Thread in coordinating colors
• Pattern to applique-to figure this out you can draw something of your own (if you’ve got that much talent-I certainly don’t) or find an image online that you like. Print it out and use it’s silhouette as your pattern.)
• Here are the Monster pieces if you want to use those: Monster Pattern Pieces

Instructions:

Iron the adhesive backing to the back of the fabric you want to use to cut out your image. Then, cut out your image. (I used my Silhouette cutting machine. If you don’t have this, just use scissors.)

I decided to use a white strip of fabric to applique on and then sewed that to my pillow. You can do this or you can sew straight onto your pillow fabric.

Place your image on your fabric and iron it in place:

Now, in my previous applique tutorial I taught you to do it using a zigzag stitch. Today I am going to be using a straight stitch, which is much easier. But note that the edges that are outside of the stitching will fray a little when washed if you do it this way.

Stitch a straight stitch all the way around your image right near the edge:

Don’t forget to do the inner lines too if you have any (like the mouth of my blue monster).

Then, if you want to add embellishments, you can do things like adding the eyes that I added. Do the same thing as before. Iron them in place then stitch around them.

I also added mouths. I drew them first lightly where I wanted them and then just stitched over them:

I then stitched my white fabric onto the piece of pillow fabric. First you will need to cut your pillow fabric. To do this, cut it the same size as your pillow form (or slightly larger). Place your applique piece where you want it and sew it on. I zigzagged mine in place around the edges:

Now, sew the pillow form around three sides with right sides together. Turn it right side out and then stuff your pillow inside and stitch the bottom close. (If you need more help making a pillow, try this tutorial.)

So, applique anything you want!!! Here’s another example of something I did: