Practice your points while making this wonderful Christmas tree pillow. Our new Christmas pillow has a contemporary look with decorative flange (flat ruffle) and back envelope opening.
The face of the pillow is made from our 14.5" Christmas tree block. Try our free bear paw block pattern
for a different look.
There is nothing more fun than creating special holiday memories. Include your children or grand-children when choosing fabrics and trims; they'll love to have their own holiday pillow for their
bedroom! Make it "primitive", "elegant", or "country casual" through your choice of fabrics and trim.
Applique tree decorations; add lace, ribbon, buttons, etc.
Our tree pillow is actually made of a dark green fabric with beautiful gold metallic accent. The photographs
do not do justice to the colors.
1/4 yd contrast fabric: (what I show as white background with holly in the diagrams, and ecru/white print in the photos) - this allows for shrinkage if your pre-wash your fabric. This is enough for
triangles, pillow back and pillow "ruffle". If using lace for the ruffle, buy only 3/4 yd. of green fabric. NOTE: The ecru goes nicely with the
gold swirls of the green print. The ecru print actually has tiny white leaves - they do not show well in the photo.
1 yd green fabric: (or fabric of choice for trees)
PATTERN PIECES
We provide the pattern pieces for the full tree, half tree, contrast triangles, half triangles, corner
squares, and tree trunks. You must create the pattern for the border, ruffle and pillow back (instructions follow).
Our patterns download as pdf files. For instructions on downloading pdf files, go to: pdf instructions.
Trees and Tree Trunks tree and trunk pattern The small square is for the tree trunk and the corner
squares used in the pillow front border.
Flange (flat ruffle) Pattern:
The flange consists of rectangles and squares. Make two pattern pieces:
one 2.5" x 2.5" square: label it "ruffle" or "flange"
one 2.5" x 14.5" rectangle: label it "ruffle" or "flange"
NOTE: If you are using ready made ruffle (such as lace ruffle), rather than our fabric ruffle, cut the ruffle 65" long (total distance around the pillow is 14" x 4, or 56").
Pillow Back pattern: You will
need to create your own pattern piece for the pillow back and border around the pillow front (I use butcher paper bought on a roll at Costco to create
my pattern pieces). The pillow front when finished should measure 14.5" x 14.5". The pillow back also measures 14.5 x 14.5.
The back is made up of two pieces. Cut two pattern pieces as follows: Piece "A" measures 11.75" x 14.5"; piece "B" measures
8.25" x 14.5". Label your pieces.
Pillow front Border pattern:
Cut 1 pattern piece 1.5" x 12.5": label it "border".
Hint: quilting pins are easier to use than regular pins; a tupperware box works well as a supply box.
Note: all seams are 1/4 inch. Always iron between steps.
Safety Reminders For Little Helpers
A. Always have an adult do all the ironing!
B. Never run with scissors. Carry them pointed end down.
C. Never use a sewing machine without adult supervision.
D. Always let an adult use the seam ripper for you.
Now you are ready to start!
CUT FABRIC PIECES
Using the pattern pieces we provided, cut out half triangles, triangles and tree trunks. Leave space on your fabric for
the ruffle long pieces (you'll need 8), ruffle squares (you'll need 8) and pillow back pieces
NOTE: we provide
a pattern piece to make one right half-triangle. Flip the pattern piece over to make one left half-triangle.
Green full triangles: cut 8
Contrast fabric full triangles: cut 7
Green right half-triangles: 1
Green left half-triangles: 1
Contrast fabric right half-triangle: 2
Contrast fabric left half-triangles: 2
Green flange pieces: 8 (each 2.5" x 14.5")
Green border pieces: 4 (each is a 1.5" x 12.5" strip)
Contrast fabric border corner squares: 4 (each 1.5" x 1.5" - you can use the tree trunk pattern)
Contrast fabric flange corner squares: 4 (each 2.5" x 2.5")
Cutting Tip: Cut a strip 5" x w.o.f. (width of fabric). Lay your pattern pieces on the strip and use a large
sewing ruler and rotary cutter to cut your triangles and half triangles.
Cutting Tip: Cut a strip 2.5" x w.o.f. Lay your flange 2.5" x 14.5" pattern on this strip and use a large sewing ruler and rotary
cutter to cut your 8 ruffle pieces (you will need two 2.5" strips).
