These pillows were made at a Beginners Sewing Camp. Each camper was able to personalize their pillow with fabric selection, machine and hand stitching. This project is perfect for any beginner and will be a great addition to any rooms décor. The finished size of the pillow is 9" x 11"

Supplies Needed:

Background fabric 20" x 24"
Fat Quarter of 100% cotton fabric
Fusible Web 10" square
Thread
Embroidery Floss to coordinate with the monogram fabric
Fiber filling - Small package
Letter pattern (Print one from the computer using a font you like)

Step 1: Step 1 - Fabrics

The background fabric used is a Canvas Drop Cloth. The drop cloth was washed and dried to soften it slightly. The drop cloth provides a medium weight fabric for the body of the pillow. You can find these in various sizes. You get a lot of fabric for a reasonable price.

The monogram fabric is 100% cotton. You can find this fabric in the quilting section of most fabric stores. You can buy a "fat quarter" which will be more than enough for this project.

From the drop cloth cut 2 pieces measuring 10" x 12".

Cut a 10" square from the monogram fabric

Iron both pieces so they are crisp and flat

Step 2: Step 2 Preparing the Monogram

Following the manufactures instructions fuse the fusible webbing to the wrong side of the monogram fabric.
Cut out the monogram letter pattern and place the pattern face down on the wrong side of the fused fabric.
Trace your letter pattern onto the paper backing of the fusible web.
Cut out the traced letter.

Step 3: Step 3 Fusing the Monogram to the Background Fabric

Finding the center of the background fabric:

Fold one piece of the background fabric in half matching the long sides and press with iron.
Unfold the background fabric and fold in half matching the short sides and press with iron.
Unfold to locate the center where the two pressed lines meet.

Fusing the Monogram to the background fabric:

Peel the paper backing from the monogram letter.
Lightly fold the letter in half both directions to find the center point and finger press the folds.
Using all fold lines on background fabric and letter match up the center points and lay the letter directly in the center of the background fabric.
Make any adjustments to center the letter on the background fabric.
Iron the monogram to the background following the fusible web instructions.

Your monogram is now fused to the background.

Step 4: Step 4 Stitching the Monogram

Using a long straight stitch on your sewing machine stitch all the way around the monogram letter approximately 1/8" inside the edge of the letter.

A coordinating thread or a contrasting thread can be used.

Step 5: Step 5 Hand Stitching Around the Monogram

Using all six strands of the embroidery floss stitch all the way around the letter approximately 1/8" from the outside edge.

This stitching really makes the monogram letter stand out.

Step 6: Step 6 Making the Pillow

Sewing the pillow:

Place the front and back of the background fabrics right sides to right sides, lining up all edges.
Pin around the edges leaving a 2 1/2" gap at the bottom between two pins.
Using a 1/2" seam allowance and a tight straight stitch. Start at one of the 2 1/2" gap pins and stitch all the way around the pillow stopping at the other side of the 2 1/2" gap pin.
Clip the corner fabric on the diagonal to decrease fabric bulk. Be sure not to clip the stitching.

Stuffing the pillow:

Turn the pillow right side out sing the bottom opening and push out the corners so they are crisp.
Stuff the pillow with the fiber filling using the bottom opening.
Hand stitch the bottom opening closed.

Step 7: Step 7: Your Pillow Is Complete!

After stuffing your pillow and stitching your opening closed your pillow is complete. I hope you enjoy this simple project. The pillows make a great gift for family and friends.

Above are some of the pillows the campers made at Sewing Camp last summer.