Shaped Applique Pillow

This project can be used for pillows of different shapes and sizes. Select the PDF below that goes with your design, and print it on an 8.5in x 11in paper at actual size (or scaled to 100%). The large sized patterns fit design sizes 1 and 2 (going by the number at the end of your embroidery file). The small sized pattern fits design sizes 3 and 4. Most of these embroidery files will also have a size 5 that is 3.85in x 3.85in or smaller. There are no patterns that fit this smallest size.

After the pattern is printed at actual size (or scaled to 100%), tape it together following the guides on the printed pattern

Cut printed pattern out along the outermost line. Each printed pattern will already have a 1/2in seam already allowance included in the pattern.

To create the front fabric piece that will be embroidered, trace the shape onto your fabric using a fabric marking tool. If using fluffy fabric, it can be easier to trace it on the wrong side of the fabric. If your pattern is not symmetrical and you are tracing it onto the wrong side of the fabric, make sure to flip the pattern upside down while tracing.

Cut out the front piece along the drawn line.

Then spray the wrong side of the front piece with temporary adhesive, and smooth it onto a piece of tearaway stabilizer. If preferred, cutaway stabilizer can be used instead. We are using tearaway as the embroidery design is very light stitching and tearaway stabilizer can be completely removed easily in the end so it does not stiffen the pillow once stuffed.

A printed template of your design is a great tool to position your design. Simply use an embroidery software to open your design and print a template of it.

On the front piece, position the template where you would like the design to embroider. After it is in place mark the vertical and horizontal axis lines. If your fabric is too fluffy and your marking tool does not show up, you can place pieces of tape to mark the axis lines instead. Simply place small pieces of tape at each axis line and make sure to mark which edge of the tape you are using as the guide with an arrow or other mark.

Extend and connect the axis lines to make a crosshair that can be used as a guide when hooping. They can be extended with a fabric marking tool and ruler if it shows up or with longer pieces of tape.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together tightly. Make sure to line up the marked axis lines with the markings on the hoop.

When you download an applique design, you will find multiple files. One will be the embroidery file, and the others are dieline files marked with "DL." Dielines are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape and size. Open and print the dieline using an embroidery software.

If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our   helpful video on using dielines.

We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch software. It comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic layouts. (This is an affiliate link. We may earn commission on purchases made with this link).

Cut around the printed dielines, spray the wrong side with temporary adhesive, and then smooth the paper dielines onto the right side of the applique fabric.

Then cut out all of the applique pieces and remove the paper.

Load the embroidery design onto the machine (not the dieline file) and attach the hoop. To make sure the design is sewing exactly where you marked, move the needle using the controls in the machine until it is perfectly centered over the center point of the axis lines.

If you used tape to mark the axis lines, remove all the tape after you have centered the needle over the centerpoint on the machine.

If you are using a fluffy fabric for the front piece, lay a piece of water soluble stabilizer over the embroidery area, and tape it in place. This will help the embroidery sit on top of the fluff, prevent the embroidery foot from catching on the fabric, and make the embroidery easier to see.

Then begin to embroider the design. Follow the color change sheet closely, and embroider until after the first stop with the word "dieline" in it is done sewing. A dieline, or outline stitch, will show where to place the applique piece on the fabric.

Some designs will sew the dieline right away, and others may have details that sew first. Some designs may also have multiple "dieline" stops for multiple applique pieces, and some designs may sew the dielines for multiple applique pieces on one stop. Read the color change sheet carefully.

Remove the hoop from the machine but do not unhoop the stabilizer. Spray the wrong side of the applique piece with temporary adhesive and smooth it into place over the sewn dieline.

Place the hoop back on to the machine and continue to embroider the design. A tackdown stitch will sew next. The tackdown holds the applique piece in place for the rest of the design.

Some designs may sew the tackdowns for multiple pieces on one stop. Read the color change sheet closely.

Follow the color change sheet and embroider the entire design. If there are multiple applique pieces, make sure to place them after their dieline sews and before the tackdown. Some applique pieces may even share the same dieline and tackdown steps so follow your design carefully.

Once the embroidery is completed, unhoop the design and remove all the stabilizer from the wrong side of the fabric. Removing as much stabilizer as you can will make the pillow softer and more fluffy once stuffed.

Also remove any remaining fabric tool marks, tape, or water-soluble topper from the right side of the design.

To create the back fabric piece of the pillow, trace the pattern onto another piece of fabric, and cut out the shape. If your design is not symmetrical, make sure to flip the piece of paper so it is upside down compared to how it was when you traced the front piece.

If your chosen pillow has any additional pieces like the pumpkin stem shown in this example, also cut out a front and back fabric piece for that. If the shape is not symmetrical, make sure to trace and cut the back piece out with the pattern flipped upside down.

Skip this step if your design does not have an accent piece.

Make any additional accent pieces first before making the main pillow (like the pumpkin stem). To do this, first pin together the accent's front and back fabric pieces with right sides together.

Skip this step if your design does not have an accent piece.

Sew them together with a 1/2in seam allowance. Make sure to leave one edge open and unsewn so you can turn it right side out. For the small accent pieces, the edge you leave open should be the edge that gets sewn into the bigger pillow shape.

Skip this step if your design does not have an accent piece.

Then turn the accent piece right side out and press the edges if needed.

Skip this step if your design does not have an accent piece.

Accent pieces will always have a small triangle shape to show where they line up on the main piece. Line up the accent piece on the front piece of the pillow with right sides together and pin it into place.

Skip this step if your design does not have an accent piece.

To make the main pillow, lay the back of the pillow on top of the front with right sides together. Pin them together. Also look at your shape and plan a 4-6in area to leave open for turning. For best results, chose an edge for the opening that is pretty straight and flat.

Sew the front and back pieces together with a 1/2in seam allowance. Make sure to leave a 4-6in opening along one edge for turning.

Then turn the pillow right side out and stuff it with your chosen pillow filler.

Turn in the edges of the opening, and sew it closed with a handsewing needle and thread.

This completes the shaped pillow. Make a collection of pillows to use as home decor or give as a sweet gift.