Directions for Making another Pillow with Cross Stitched Design

The cross stitch design for this pattern is free! Click on the photo to go to the free patterns page. Scroll down that page to find the free pattern.

Also available free...Click here for directions for making a pillow using a card size design.

Directions for making the Pillow:

Please Note:

**These directions assume that the crafter knows basic hand and machine sewing.

**Use ½" seams throughout unless otherwise stated.

**Finished pillow is approx. 21" square.

**This pillow uses 4 colors of cloth that compliment the cross stitch design chosen. If you are using a different cross stitch design, choose colors that compliment that design.

Materials:

Cross Stitch design that measures about 3 1/2" x 6 3/4". Stitch design with at least 2 1/2 of extra fabric around design. Trim the design to 2" around. This extra fabric is needed, so please don't skimp or skip this important detail.

Cloth, etc:

For Step #1

light green print- (1) 11" x 11"

black- (2)2 1/4" x 11" , and (2) 2 1/4" x 13 1/2"

For Step #2

white- (2) 2 1/4" x 13 1/2", and (2) 2 1/4" x 16"

For Step #3

brown print- (2) 4" x 16" and (2) 4" x 22"

fusible interfacing, medium weight- 22" x 22"

For Step#5

brown print or black- (2)16" x 22"

fusible interfacing, medium weight-(2) 16" x 22"

For Pillow Insert:

light colored scrap fabric-(2) 21" x 21"

polyester stuffing- enough to firmly fill the pillow insert

Sewing Supplies: Sewing machine, matching thread, scissors, needle, pins, iron, ironing board, etc

Directions:

Step #1) To make the front of the pillow, pin and sew the two 2 1/4" x 11" black strips of cloth to opposite sides of the green square as shown. Press seams towards the outside, so the black won't show through the light green cloth.

csp

Next, pin and sew the two 2 1/4" x 13 1/2" black strips of cloth to the other sides as shown. Press seams towards the outside. Piece should now be a square, green, with a black border. To make these directions easier to follow, the first cloth strips sewn will be called the "sides" and the second set of strips will be called the "top and bottom".

csp

Step #2) Using the white fabric, sew the two 13 1/2" long strips to the sides. Press seams outward, then sew the 16" long strips to the top and bottom. Press seams outward.

csp

Step #3) Repeat in like manner using the brown print strips of fabric. First sew the 16" long strips, press seams outward, then sew the longer, 22" strips of cloth. Press seams outward. Iron the entire piece flat. Following the manufacture's instructions, apply the 22" x 22" square of fusible interfacing to the back. This will add body to the pillow.

Step #4) Step #4 was imported from another project, so the cross stitch design is different, but the technique is the same. Click here to see the other directions.

To prepare and attach the cross stitched design to front, place the design face down on the ironing surface. Using the design as a guide, fold each corner in towards the center, matching the trimmed corner with the corner of the design as shown. Press with iron to crease each corner.

csp csp

Again, using the stitching as a guide, fold each side in 1" towards the design and mitering the corners as shown. Press with iron to crease.

csp

Turn cross stitched design over and center on the front of pillow. Using matching thread, sew in place. (You may wish to use a smaller seam allowance here, maybe only 1/4")

csp

Step #5) To make back of pillow, use the two 16" x 22" of black fabric and fusible interfacing. Following manufacture's instructions, apply the fusible interfacing to the back of each piece. Also for each piece, fold under a 22" edge, 1/4". Iron to crease. Fold the edge under again, 1/2". Iron to crease. Using matching thread, sew edge, then iron again to flatten.

Please note, the pillow back is made by overlapping the two 16" x 22" pieces, allowing a pillow insert to be put inside. (sort of like an envelope) It's important to place the pieces correctly so they will overlap horizontally. To do so, place pillow front, face up on working surface, making sure the top of the cross stitched design is upwards.

Place one back piece, face down and seam towards the middle on the pillow front. Match the lower unfinished edges.

Place the remaining back piece, face down, on top of the other one. Match the upper unfinished edges. Pin in place and sew all the way around outside edge of pillow.

Turn pillow right side out and press outside seams. Press any wrinkles in pillow.

Step #6) To make pillow insert, place the two 21" X 21"" pieces of scrap cloth together, right sides facing in. Pin and sew around outside edge, leaving approx. 6" opening. Trim corners, turn, press, and fill firmly with polyester stuffing. Make sure corners are stuffed well. Sew opening closed, either by hand or if easily done, by sewing machine.

csp