Fun and Easy Throw Pillow with PomPom Fringe

A while back when we remodeled our office I added a sitting chair and it just needed a throw pillow. Well, you know my love for all things appliqué and that inspired me to create this Fun and Easy Throw Pillow with PomPom Fringe.

This project doesn’t require special sewing skills. If you can sew a straight stitch then you can make this pillow.

 Supplies:

• 1/2 yard Décor weight fabric for pillow cover
• 1/2 yd. Décor weight fabric for lettering
• 1 yard or 1 package of a fusible web like WonderUnder or Heat ‘n Bond Lite. Be sure to get the lightest weight they have.
• 14” x 14” pillow insert
• matching thread
• scissors, iron, ironing board

Getting Started: 

1. Press all of your fabrics before beginning.

 2. Cut 2 pieces of the main fabric 15” x 15”. For a more snug fit, you can cut it at 14” x 14”.

The Letters for Appliqué:

Make appliqué letters using the font Times New Roman. Set the font size to a desired size between 450-550. This will depend on your taste and how large you want your lettering to be. Spell out W-O-R-K in all caps.

Depending on the size you may have to print the O in portrait and the other letters in landscape. If you plan to make more than one pillow, print and cut these out of cardstock.

Carefully cut out all of the printed letters. Lay them IN REVERSE on the waxy PAPER side of the fusible web and trace around. DO NOT CUT THEM OUT yet.

You first have to fuse the letter to the back of your fabric. The tracing line will become your cutting line.

Place the rough web side down on the back of your lettering fabric and iron according to the directions on the fusible web product. Let it cool and THEN cut out the letters.

Remove the release paper backing. If some of the webbing pulls away, press again and let cool.

Placing the Letters:

Create a grid on the surface of the pillow using a removable marker. Place your lettering carefully. Use the grid to help with this.  Be sure to tilt the ‘O’ to the right.

Once the letters are where you want them, press them with the iron. Be sure to follow the directions on the fusible web product for application instructions.

Put a matching thread in the sewing machine and set the machine to straight stitching with a 3mm stitch length. Carefully stitch around each of the letters. Go in from the cutting edge about 1/8”. This will prevent fraying and still secure the lettering.

Adding PomPom Fringe:

One way to make a simple pillow stand out is to add pompom fringe. It’s easier than you think and can add a whole lot of pizzazz to your project.

The first thing you need to do is pin the pompom fringe around the raw edge of the pillow front. Be sure that the pompoms are facing away from the raw edge.

Next, you want to add a zipper foot to your sewing machine and set your needle in the left position.

You will want to keep this foot on the machine in order to sew the front and back together.

Finishing the Pillow:

Once all of the lettering and pompom fringe is applied, lay the front and back right sides together and pin on three sides. Leave a 10” opening in the bottom of the pillow in order to add the pillow form.

Using a 1/2” stitch length, stitch around the pillow from opening to opening. Clip the corners and turn right side out. Push out the corners using something like a chop stick or a knitting needle. Press under the 10” opening and insert your pillow form. Once the pillow form is inserted, hand stitch the pillow opening.

And, you’re done!