Day 1: Home for the Holidays Blog Hop

Welcome to the first day of our Home for the Holidays blog hop! 

This week, our focus will be on throw pillows--a fun and often overlooked way to add some holiday joy to your home! Next week we'll have a variety of small sewing decor projects, so be sure to stop by each day!

We think you'll enjoy the tutorials this week--including possibly new-to-you techniques. One of the great things about pillows is that by creating envelope-style or zipper pillows (we'll show you both methods), you can switch them out with your regular throw pillow covers for a quick and easy holiday decoration (and they don't require much storage space the rest of the year!).

Celebrate Santa's arrival with a Ho Ho Ho Pillow! The red and green stripe prints from the Season's Greetings collection add whimsy to a simple pillow created with appliqued letters and a wide flange. This pillow measures approximately 24-1/2" x 11-1/2".

Materials
1/4 yard or fat quarter of white solid
1/4 yard or fat quarter of green stripe
2/3 yard of red stripe
1/4 yard or fat quarter of muslin
20" x 8" piece of interfacing
25" x 12" piece of fusible fleece 
Fusible web
Fiber fill

Cutting
White solid:
One 20" x 8" piece

Red stripe:
Two 3" x 20" strips
Two 3" x 12" strips
One 12" x 14" piece (for backing)
One 12" x 16" piece (for backing)

Make the Pillow
Download the template here. 
Step 1: Trace the H and O three times each onto the paper side of fusible web. (Note: Since both H and O are symmetrical, you don't have to worry about if the letter is reversed--it doesn't matter!)

Step 2: Cut out each letter 1/4" past the drawn line. Fuse two H and two O onto the wrong side of the green stripe. Fuse the remaining H and O onto the wrong side of the red stripe. Angle the letters on the stripe if you'd like a diagonal look like ours.

Step 3: Following manufacturer's directions, fuse the three Ho sets onto the 20" x 8" white piece, measuring up approximately 2-1/2" from the bottom and aligning letters on that line. 

Step 4: Attach stabilizer to the back of the white piece. Use your favorite decorative stitch and matching thread to stitch letters to background. Trim piece to measure 20" x 7".

Step 5: Sew 3" x 20" red stripe strips to top and bottom of white piece. Sew 3" x 12" red stripe strips to opposite short sides. Fuse the 25" x 12" fusible batting piece to the wrong side. (Note: In addition to giving the flange a nice, firm feel, this also eliminates the potential to see through the white background fabric and gives the pillow a smoother appearance.)

Step 6: Fold one short end of the 12" x 16" red stripe piece over 1/4", wrong sides together. Press. Fold over another 1/4" and press again. Stitch to create a hemmed edge for pillow back. Repeat on a short end of a 12" x 14" red stripe piece. 

Step 7: Lay the pillow front right side up. Layer the two backing pieces right sides down, aligning raw edges. (Hemmed edges will overlap in the middle.) Pin in place. 

Half the backing pinned in place

The entire backing pinned in place

Step 8: Stitch around the entire outer edge of pillow. Turn right sides out, clip corners, and press. 

Step 9: To create the flange, stitch around pillow 1/2" from the center white edge. Stitch around pillow 1/4" from outer pillow edge. 

Step 10: Sew the 7-1/2" x 20-1/2" muslin pieces around three sides, leaving a short side open. Turn right side out and stuff with fiberfill, testing as you go to make sure your pillow insert won't bulge when tucked into the outer pillow. Stuff it less than you'd think--if you stuff it firmly, your pillow will end up shaped like a tootsie roll! When you're happy with the fit, sew a 1/4" seam across the open end. 

Step 11: Stuff the pillow insert inside the pillow and enjoy!

For a chance to win a bundle of Season's Greetings prints, leave a comment letting us know that you follow the blog (if you don't already, sign up in the sidebar at right using the email or blog reader option). In your comment, also let us know: what is your favorite piece of holiday decor? Giveaway is open through Thursday, December 17th at 11:59 pm EST. 
This contest is now closed.

See the entire Season's Greetings collection here.

Check out each day of our Home for the Holidays Hop!

Day 2: The Present Pillow
Day 3: Snowflake Pillow
Day 4: O Christmas Tree Pillow
Day 5: Peace on Earth Table Runner
Day 6: Snowflake Table Topper
Day 7: Let It Snow Applique Quilt
Day 8: Cinnamon Scented Coasters