Valentine Craft #1 How-to: Polka Dot Pillow

 Love is in the air. Can you feel it? I have FELT it.

This year I wanted to cut-i-fy (totally a word) my house for Vday. I am not normally the decorate-your-house-for-every-holiday kind of girl...mostly because I can't afford to. Well this year, felt came to the rescue. Thanks to this cheap little wonder I was able to make some cute things for Valentine's Day. Over the next couple days I will post the how-to for each of the decorations in the above picture.

TODAY--here is my how-to for my Valentine's Day Polka Dot Pillow

Supplies:

four different shades of reds/pinks felt that you can buy off the bolt I got several yards of each because I was using them for several projects. 1/2 yrd of each will be plenty for this pillow.

1/2 yard of cheap heavy white muslin

embroidery floss in four cordinating colors of felt

coordinating thread

circle shape to trace for polka dots I used a baby food lid

poly fiber fill

Cut one piece of white muslin with the measurements of 15x15. Cut another 15x15 square from the felt color of your choice for the back of the pillow.

You will need about 25 circles, this will obviously vary depending on the size of your circle stencil. Trace 6-7 circles from each your four different colors of felt.

Pin on each circle, leaving about an inch space on every side, on to your white muslin square. You will need to leave a little extra room on the outside edges of the muslin to allow for a 1/4 inch seam. Make sure the circles lay equally on the surface of your square, the color pattern is up to you!

Using the coordinating embroidery floss, use a simple straight hand stitch to outline each circle. I sewed each circle straight on, they are small enough that you should not have to use an embroidery hoop.

Place your polka dot muslin right side down on top of your piece of felt and pin. Sew around the edges with a 1/4 inch seam. Make sure to leave a 4-5 inch hole on the edge that will be the bottom of your pillow so that you can stuff.

Turn you pillow out. Fill with fiber fill. I like to fill mine pretty full for a stiffer pillow...aka more kid friendly.

Once pillow is full, hand stitch opening closed.

Now pat yourself on the back and toss that cute pillow on your chair/couch/bench.

tomorrow- L.O.V.E.  Banner