Felt Flower Pillow

These felt flower pillows have been all over the place lately–they were demoed at our Super Saturday, I’ve seen them on a few blogs, and even spotted one sitting on my cousin’s couch! When my sisters decided to exchange handmade gifts for Christmas, I knew this is what I’d be making! And just because I’ve seem them doesn’t mean you have-so here’s a tutorial just for you!

All you need is a little felt and a glue gun. Our local JoAnn’s had wool felt before Christmas for much, much less than quilt stores sell it for. When I asked about a different color an employee told me to just be happy they had what they did. She said it is a rare thing they carry and had been 2 years since they’d had it in stock.

Deciding to just be happy I bought more than I thought I’d need, just in case.

The petals are half circles in 3 different sizes. I traced common, but yet random objects to get my variety of sizes. A glass, a canning lid, and the top of a baby bottle provided my templates.  Once you’ve found the sizes you want , start tracing it onto the felt. You’ll need approximately 30 petals of each size–for a total of 90 petals. This was for a 16″ x 16″ pillow so adjust accordingly.

Here are my petals and my 16″ squares of fabric.

I sewed around the edges, leaving an opening at the bottom to stuff it through. If you’d rather use a pillow form, you can make an envelope pillow back like Jamie showed last week. I did some each way, but in the end decided that since felt won’t hold up well in the wash, and I used hot glue, and the pillows cost less than $5 each to make it was pointless in making a removable cover. Instead this is a disposable pillow. If you don’t have access to a sewing machine you could use fabric glue, or even hot glue if you are feeling brave.

Turn the square right side out and get ready to make some magic!

Before gluing the petals down I, did a run through on each pillow to make sure I had enough petals. Start with the outside edge and overlap the petals forming a circle, and then continue in a spiral pattern til the flower is full. This step isn’t necessary, but it is fun.

When you are sure you have enough petals and you can’t wait any longer–take all the petals off and start over. This time run a bead of hot glue along the straight edge of the petal and glue it down. The petals will be able to move since only the bottom edge is attached.

This is really a fool proof craft. If you see a bare spot, simply insert another petal by lifting the top petals up and sticking a new one in until you like how is looks. Just keep the hot glue from showing and now one will ever guess how simple they are.

If you want a fuller looking flower, pucker the petals by slightly pinching the edges of the petal together once you’ve placed it on the pillow and before the glue cools. I really like how it looks, but didn’t get a picture of that pillow.

For the center of the flower, cut 4 circles. I used a glass for my pattern, but you can use whatever you used for your largest petal. Then fold each circle in half.

And then in half again and glue at the point. Repeat on all four circles and then glue in the middle of the pillow.

That’s it! Now it is time to either stuff with batting, or insert a pillow form. Once you’ve stuffed, sew up that opening and you’re done!

For a 16″ x16″ pillow I used a little over a 1/2 yard of wool felt and noticed the acrylic felt comes wider, so 1/2 yard of acrylic felt should be plenty.

After making 4 of these I’m still amazed that it is hot glued together and I love the feminine touch it adds to my house of boys.

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