Day 2: Home for the Holidays Blog Hop

Welcome to the second 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!).

The Present Pillow is exactly what the name says--a pillow that looks like a present. A fabric "ribbon" creates the 3-D bow on the front. We chose a wrapping paper-style red and gold snowflake print for the "present" and a metallic gold scroll for ribbon, both from the  Season's Greetings collection--a touch of elegance for your holiday decor. This pillow measures 17-1/2" square.

Materials

2/3 yard red/gold snowflake print

2/3 yard gold print

16" red zipper

18" square pillow form

Turning stick

Cutting

Red/gold snowflake:

One 18-1/2" square

Two 8" x 18-1/2" strips

Gold print:

Two 6-1/2" x 42" strips

One 3-1/2" x 18-1/2" strip

Make the Pillow

Step 1: Sew an 8" x 18-1/2" red/gold snowflake strip to opposite sides of a 3-1/2" x 18-1/2" gold print strip. Topstitch on the gold strip 1/4" from each seam line.

Step 2: Press a 6-1/2" x 42" gold print strip lengthwise in half wrong sides together to create a fold line. (This will make it easier to press later.) Refold lengthwise in half right sides together and stitch down the long edge.

Step 3: On one end, use the 45 degree line on a ruler to create a diagonal line as shown. 

Step 4: Stitch on the drawn line and trim 1/4" past the seam.

Step 5: Turn the strip right side out and use a turning stick to push the point out. Press this ribbon strip. Topstitch 1/4" from the outer edge of the strip.

Step 6: Repeat steps 3-5 to make a second ribbon strip.

Step 7: Position the pieced square and 18-1/2" red/gold snowflake square right sides together with a pieced edge oriented up. Lay the zipper near the pieced edge of the square as shown. Mark the ends of the zipper with pins. Sew along this edge of the pillow using a 1/2" seam allowance. Sew with a regular length stitch outside the pins, backstitching at the pins. Sew with a large basting stitch between the pins. 

Step 8: Press the seam between the square and pieced square open and position the zipper on it, face down. Pin the zipper in place and use a zipper foot to stitch from edge to edge on each side of the zipper to secure it in place. 

Step 9: Pick the basting stitch open to expose the zipper. Open the zipper at least halfway. 

Step 10: Find and mark the center point on the left and right sides of the pieced square. Pin the raw ends of the ribbon strips at these center points. Tie a test bow; you may prefer to shorten the ribbon strips before sewing in place. Tip: Shortening one of the strips by 3-4" will help to create a bow with more equal ends, but try it yourself in case your tying technique is different.
Step 11: Baste the ribbon strips in place.

Step 12: Position pillow halves right sides together and pin. Double check that the zipper is at least halfway open! Make sure (and double check!) that the ribbon strips are tucked inside so you don't accidentally sew them in the seam.

Step 13: Sew around the outer three edges of the pillow using a 1/2" seam allowance. Turn right side out through the zipper opening. 

Step 14: Insert the pillow form into the pillow. Tie a bow with the ribbon strips.

Voila...the pillow present!

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: gift wrapping--an opportunity for creativity or a labor of love? In other words, love it or hate it? 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 1: The Ho Ho Ho 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