Embroidered Christmas Pillow Tutorial

Hi there! Wow, I can't believe July is pretty much over! I have had so much fun with our Christmas in July series!  I want to thank all of our guests for their fabulous tutorials! I also want to thank our readers for the lovely comments! :) 

Now, I get to share this fun little project with you!  I have been on an embroidery kick! I am just learning how to do it, but have found that I truly enjoy it.  It is so relaxing to put on Netflix and work on some handwork!  I have a feeling this winter I will be doing a lot of embroidery. :) 

I love how this little pillow turned out! I used 25th and Pine for the fabrics (which I adore) and used matching embroidery floss for the embroidery on the pillow.   The embroidery is quite simple, and a great pattern for a beginner! After all, I am a beginner myself and have to keep it simple!

It took me an afternoon to complete the embroidery, and the rest of the pillow came together really quickly.  I truly enjoyed making this pillow, and I hope you enjoy the tutorial! 

Supplies

Stitchable Pattern --Download HERE  (This pattern was inspired by this image here)

Embroidery Floss Colors: DMC Red 349, Blue 3750, Green 505, Brown 898

Background fabric

25th and Pine Charm Pack

Pillow Form

Instructions for the embroidery:

1. Transfer your pattern onto your fabric.  Do this by printing your pattern.  Tape your pattern to a window and then tape your fabric on top of that.  Trace your pattern with a pencil.  

2. The Tree:  Use the green 505 floss and use 3 threads.  Use a basic backstitch to make the tree and branches.   

For the red ends, use 349 floss and use 2 threads.  To make the loops, use the lazy daisy stitch.  For the small dots use Green 505 and do a french knot.

3.  The Bird:  Use Brown 302.  Use two threads, and outline the bird using a backstitch.  For the eye, do a french knot. 

4. The snowflakes, and snow line: Use Blue 3750.  Use two threads.  For the snow line, use a backstitch.  For the snowflakes, use a basic cross stitch.

5.  Merry Christmas Lettering: Use Red 349.  Use two threads and a backstitch to do the lettering. (I free-handed the lettering on my pillow, so it looks a bit different then the one on the pattern.)

6.  Border: Use Green 505.  Use two threads and do a running stitch (dashed lines)

7.  Adding the Flags: Cut out 4 small triangles about 1/2" in size (from top of the triangle to bottom) Interface them with some fusible web. Iron them on, and then stitch around them using Blue 3750.  Use two threads, and use a basic running stitch.

Adding the Fabric Border:

1. Once you are completely done with your embroidery piece, you will cut your center embroidery square to 6 3/4" x 6 3/4" square.

2.  Cut out 16 - 2  5/8" squares in various prints.

3.  Sew two sets of three squares together for the top and bottom of the pillow.

4.  Sew two sets of 5 squares together for the left and right sides.

5.  Attach the top and bottom sets first.  Right sides together, use a 1/4" seam.  Press.

6. Attach the left and right sides.  Right sides together, use a 1/4" seam. Press.

Your block will measure 11" x 11".  Depending on how large of a pillow form you have will depend on how big to make your outer border.  I decided to use the same fabric I used for my center embroidery square, but it would be cute to use a print of some sort as well!

Sew your outer border on and then make your envelope style pillow form.  I have a tutorial for that right here if you aren't sure how to do that!

That's it! You're done!  

The hardest part about this pillow is putting it away until Christmas time! I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and our Christmas in July series! :)

Talk to you soon,