For a really eye catching pillow add a large appliqué on a solid color fabric. This is the custom look people pay big bucks for. But someone with beginning sewing skills can do it.

Choose a fabric with large, bold motifs (geometric shapes, flowers, etc) that coordinates well with your solid fabric. Cut out one or two of the motifs. If you're just learning to sew, choose a motif with a simple outline. You'll be stitching along the edge with a narrow zig zag or satin stitch; you won't want to try to follow an super intricate edge. Prior to constructing the pillow, fuse the motif(s) to the one side of a large square pillow with fusible webbing.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome DC3050)
• Satin Stitch foot (included with the DC3050)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Pillow pattern Simplicity 4108
• Pillow form, 20" square
• Primary fabric for making the pillow cover
• Secondary fabric from which you'll cut your appliqué design
• Assorted trims and tassels, yardage according to pattern
• All purpose thread in colors to match fabric
• Hand sewing needle
• Notions according to pattern
• Fusible webbing with paper backing

Getting Started

1. Choose pattern piece #1from Simplicity Pattern #4108.
2. Cut out your pillow front and back according to the instructions.
3. From your secondary fabric, cut out the motif(s) you're going to appliqué onto your pillow front.
4. Position your motif(s) on your pillow front.
5. Following the instructions included with the fusible webbing, attach your design to the pillow front. This will make it much easier to appliqué.

At Your Sewing Machine

1. Attach the Satin Stitch foot on your sewing machine.
2. Thread your machine with thread that will match your appliqué fabric.
3. Appliqué along the edge of the motif, making sure the stitch is centered over the edge of the motif you're attaching. Sew slowly. If you stop, make sure your needle is in the down position so your stitching line picks up exactly where it left off.
4. Attach the pom pom fringe to one fabric square. It goes on the right side of the fabric with the raw edges aligned. I like to sew the fringe in place with a light basting stitch. This way I'm sure it won't slip and slide when I'm sewing my final seam. However, you can simply pin it in place as well, sandwiching it between the two fabric squares. As with all fringe attachment, remember these rules: your fringe goes in between the two fabric layers, the raw edges of the fabric and the fringe are even, and whatever dangles from the fringe, in this case pom poms, is falling towards the middle of the pillow.
5. Sew slowly and make sure the pom poms hang free. You don't want to catch up a pom pom in your seam.
6. Finish making the pillow according to the pattern instructions. In this case, you're simply sewing front to back, leaving an opening along one side, then turning right side out.
7. Insert your pillow form and finish the open edge with a slip stitch.
8. Toss on your sofa and admire.

Hints and Tips

There are many brands of fusible webbing and they all come with easy to follow instructions. Just make sure the one you choose has paper backing.

Other machines suitable for this project include the Pfaff expression 2038 and the Bernina artista 640.

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