Sunday, April 3, 2011

Rosette Pillow Tutorial

Photo by Chris Everard
I found this tutorial on Etsy and it looked so cute and simple, I just had to try it! I wanted to use materials I had so my pillow is a bit smaller than the original, cream colored, and I used poly-fil instead of a pillow form (if you'd like to use a pillow form and/or add a zipper, see the tutorial on Etsy). I also packed my rosettes more densely but you can do what you please. Here's the tutorial:
Cut two felt rectangles 1" larger in both dimensions than you'd like your finished pillow to be (so if you want a 10" x 18" pillow, cut two pieces that are 11" x 19")



Out of a separate large piece of felt, cut sixty-3" diameter felt circles for your rosettes. Depending on how dense you'd like the rosettes on the pillow, you may use more or less (I used 50 on my 9"x11" pillow but mine are very densely packed). I used this almond can to trace one, then cut the rest from the original.

Fold each circle in half, then in half again to make a rosette. Make a couple stitches in the bottom of each rosette so they stay together and are easier to sew onto the pillow front.

Start hand sewing the rosettes onto the pillow front. You can make the row as wide or narrow as you want. Make sure you end up with the same amount of undecorated fabric on each end.

Once you're finished sewing the rosettes on, pin the pillow front to the pillow back with right sides together.

Sew around the pillow, leaving a hole large enough to turn the pillow right side out (mine was about 4" long).

Trim the bulk at the corners.

Turn your pillow right side out and stuff with poly-fil to desired firmness.

Fold the edges in and pin the hole closed. Sew to close the seam.
Finished product! Next time, I would definitely space out my rosettes more, but overall it was a great use for some leftover felt!