Festive Appliqué: A Simple Christmas Ornament Pillow Tutorial

I recently shared my newest favorite project "Tiny Hands, Big Design: An Appliqué Quilt Block Easy Enough for Toddlers" (link back to original post here), a tutorial that combines Wonder Under and the Olfa circle rotary cutter to make perfect, fuss-free fusible appliqué circles.

If you loved that method, I’ve got a fun Christmas version for you!

I've taken that same simple appliqué technique and used it to create classic Christmas bauble ornaments. Then, I added a simple border and turned the whole block into a beautiful zippered pillow cover!

Ready for a quick and easy Christmas decor project? Let's get started!

🎄 Supplies You'll Need

• Olfa Circle Rotary Cutter

• Appliqué Background: One 12.5" x 12.5" square of solid white or cream fabric.

• Fabric Scraps for the Bauble Ornaments

• Border Fabric (2) 2.5" x 12.5" and (2) 2.5" x 16.5"

• Fusible Web: Pellon Wonder Under (See the original post for tips on using fusibles!)

• Pillow Backing: 16.5” x 16.5”

• Zipper: One 18 inch zipper per pillow.

• Pillow Insert: I used a 16” form I got back when JoAnn’s was closing. Find similar, HERE or grab a 2-pack!

• Basics: Iron, Ironing Board, Sewing Machine, Thread.

Step-by-Step: Create the Ornaments

You can refer back to the original post for the most details and tips. I’ll assume you’ve read it, and keep this tutorial clear and simple.

Step 1: Prep & Cut the Baubles

Iron the wonder under onto the back of your ornament fabrics and remove the paper backing.

Cut your circles using the Olfa circle rotary cutter. You can choose how many and what size circles to make.

Step 2: Design and Arrange

Lay your 12.5" background square on your pressing mat or ironing board. Arrange your bauble circles, keeping in mind they are ornaments that typically hang. You can make them fill the space as if scattered, or hang near the bottom and draw or embroider strings they are hanging from later. Get creative!

Pro Tip: Remember to keep all your circles at least 1/2 inch away from the edges of the background square, as you'll be sewing a border on later.

Step 3: Fuse and Secure

Once you are happy with the placement, use your iron in an up-and-down motion (avoid pushing or dragging!) to firmly fuse all the baubles to the background square, following the fusible web instructions. Ensure all edges are secure.

Step 4: Add Ornament Detail (The Hook/Loop)

This step makes your ornaments look like ornaments! Choose one of the following methods to finish them up:

• Embroidery: Use a metallic or contrasting thread to hand-embroider a small circle right at the top edge of each bauble. You can even add a simple straight line stitch above it to create a hanging look.

• Draw On: Use a permanent fabric marker (like a Pigma Micron or Sharpie) to draw a small loop or dot at the top of each bauble for a quick and easy finish.

• The Bow: For a 3D effect, tie tiny ribbon bows and hand-stitch or securely fabric-glue one to the top of each ornament.

• Combine a bow with embroidered or drawn on loops.

Step-by-Step: From Block to Zippered Pillow

Now that your appliqué block is finished (let's just call it the block), it's time to turn it into a pillow cover!

Step 5: Add the Border

For a 12.5-inch finished block, we will aim for a 16 inch finished pillow. Use a wider border if you are making a larger pillow.

1. Cut two border strips (2.5" x 12.5").

2. Sew one strip to the left side and one strip to the right side of the Pillow Top using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press seams open.

3. Cut two more border strips (2.5" x 16.5") to match the new length of the block.

4. Sew one strip to the top and one strip to the bottom. Press seams open.

Your finished Pillow Top square is now bordered and ready for the back! (For this example, your finished top should be 16.5" x 16.5").

Step 6: Attach the Zipper

We'll add a zipper to one complete side of the pillow. I used a pretty gold zipper so I placed it at the top, but if you'd like it to be more hidden, you can put it at the bottom instead.

1. Open the zipper about halfway and pin one long edge to the top edge of the pillow top, right sides together, extending the zipper tape past each end of the pillow top.

2. Using a zipper foot, stitch the zipper down with a ¼” seam, starting at the open end of the zipper. As you come near to the zipper pull, put your needle down, raise your foot, and carefully move the zipper pull back behind the needle. Put the foot back down and continue sewing to the end.

3. Similarly, sew the other side of the zipper tape to the top edge of the pillow backing, right sides together.

4. Now the pillow front and back are both attached to the zipper but not to each other yet.

Step 7: Complete the Pillow

1. Fold the pillow back over the pillow front, right sides together, edges aligned. Make sure the zipper is still partially opened before you sew.

2. Stitch around the three non-zippered sides of the pillow with a ¼” seam. There’s no need to leave an opening to turn since the zipper is open.

3. Trim excess zipper length if desired.

4. Turn right side out. Push corners out.

Stuff with a pillow form, zip closed, and your festive new holiday pillow is complete! This project is quick, fun, and makes a beautiful gift or addition to your own holiday décor.

You could also take the basic idea of the appliqué circle ornaments and use it for a table runner, stockings, a tree skirt, or other Christmas decor project!

Happy Sewing! Let me know how your bauble pillows turn out in the comments below!