Kids Hand-Stitched Applique Christmas Gift Pillows

If your kids are wondering what to make this year for Christmas gifts, why not help them make hand-stitched, and decorated heirloom toss pillows, for family and friends? Easy-to-make decorative applique-quilted, and ribbon-trimmed toss pillows, are appropriate gifts for anyone on their gift-giving list, from grandma and grandpa, to siblings and Fido.

Pillow Forms

Most fabric stores, and many craft-supply stores, carry pillow forms which only need to be covered and decorated, no messy-stuffing steps are necessary. Small 12" x 12" size pillow forms are less expensive, quick to cover, and are fun to showcase artistic creativity.

If your child can sew, or you would like to teach them, this is the perfect project to start with. It doesn't take much more than ¼ yard, or ½ yard of fabric, to cover a small pillow form. Trim fabric yardage excess, using the pillow form as a guide, but leaving a comfortable amount around the edges, to fold under before sewing.

Fabric Selections

Select fabric yardage from the discounted "remnants" bin at your favorite fabric store. You can pick up cute patterned prints, or interesting solid remnants, for less than a dollar. I recommend picking up a good selection of washable cotton fabrics, as the entire pillow can be tossed into the washer and dryer, for laundering when needed.

Fabric Cut-Outs

With your selection of bolt-end fabric remnants, cut around the pillow forms (as above) however leave one end folded, and you will only need to stitch-up three sides over the pillow form. Use the remaining scrap pieces left over, after trimming around the pillow forms, to cut out small, easy shapes.

Cut out simple shapes, to be appliqued onto pillow tops, such as hearts and flowers for female gift recipients. Cut out stars, surfboards, fish, or dog bone shapes for male recipients, and/or family pets. Pin these shapes into place, on pillow tops, and turn raw edges under 1/8" while stitching around the shape, with a needle and thread. Another option would be decorative stitches using embroidery floss.

Ribbon Trim Designs

If you would like to add decorative ribbon trim designs, around the appliqued shapes, tack it down to crisscross at the corners, framing your center design shape. Pin ribbons in place and stitch them down from the underside of the fabric, only showing small thread bites on pillow top.

Finishing Instructions

Re-fold the fabric piece, snugly fitting the pillow form into the fold, and smooth fabric over the form, top and bottom. Fold bottom fabric seam (raw-edge) up and over the form, folding the top seam under itself, and pinning onto the bottom fabric, at the midpoint, pillow-form seam. When it is folded, and pinned in place around all three sides, sew closed with a blind-stitch, or small whip stitch.

These easy-to-make applique-decorated pillows turn out so beautifully unique that you will always treasure yours. Turn this tradition into a family heirloom project, using these same, simple applique techniques to form a baby quilt, or matching full-size family quilt.