How to Make Cute Halloween Pillows

I’d been thinking of what I wanted to make or craft for Halloween this year and hadn’t come up with any ideas. 

Then inspiration hit! I have a little grey and white pumpkin pillow that I bought at the Target dollar spot last year. It looks perfect in my living room, and I thought, “Why not make cute pillows for the couch that are the colors of my living room?” I’ve been looking for cute pink pillows forever to add more pink to my living room and haven’t found any I love. This seems like the perfect way to add some holiday fun and some pink. Yay!

As always, I’ve got the step by step tutorial for you with estimated times so you can fit some Halloween craft fun into your busy mom life!

If you’re struggling to find time to have some fun mom craft time, you’re going to love the organization I show you in the Real Organized Mom class. Using what I show in that class, I’ve reduced my mom stress from extreme levels to mild levels. It feels so much better! I know it’ll work for you, too. 

Halloween Pillows

Supplies:

• Fabric – 3 coordinating fabrics
• Scissors
• Cutting wheel and mat(optional) – affiliate link
• Heat n Bond Lite(affiliate link)
• Iron (affiliate link)
• Cricut(affiliate link)
• Pins
• Sewing machine(affiliate link)

Before we get started, at the bottom of this post, you’ll find a printable version of these directions. It has checkboxes for each step so you can remember where you left off when you get interrupted while working on these Halloween pillows. 

Step 1: Design your applique

TIME: 5 – 15 minutes

You may not even need the 5-15 minutes to design your applique because I have the Cricut cut files for you at the bottom of this post. Use them if you like the appliques I used. I spent $2.97 to get the designs I used in Cricut Design Space that are in the file. If you don’t already own them, you’ll need to buy them as well. 

I’ve got some design tips for you in the video you can hit play on at the top of this post (it may already be playing on the left or bottom of your screen).

Step 2: Cut fabric & Heat n Bond

TIME: 15-20 minutes

I had you design your applique first because then you can take a look at the cuts the Cricut wants to make and cut all your fabric at one time. 

Cut fabric both the size you need for the Cricut to cut the appliques as well as the fabric for making your pillow covers. Then cut Heat n Bond the size you need for the appliques

I have a full tutorial on how to make the simple envelope style pillows here if you need more details. 

Step 3: Iron Heat N Bond

TIME: 5 minutes

The hardest part of this step is getting out the ironing board and iron… at least if your house is like mine. ? 

You’ll want to put the plastic-y side of the Heat n Bond to the back or wrong side of your fabric. You’ll place the iron on the paper side of the Heat n Bond and follow the directions on the package for how long you need to heat things up. 

Step 4: Cut applique

TIME: 10 – 15 minutes

Now you’ll let the Cricut(affiliate link) do the work for you and let it cut out your design. 

I have a whole post on cutting fabric with the Cricut. The new Cricut maker makes it super easy, but if you have an older Cricut, you can still cut fabric. Just take a look at that post.

I wish I’d looked at my own post before I’d done this step. I forgot to remove the paper backing, and the paper stuck so badly to the fabric mat. Ugh! Then I still banged my head on the wall again and thought I try the Light Grip mat instead. It worked so much better, but still, I had to peel paper from the mat. If only, I’d read my own post and removed that paper backing I’d have made my life so much easier last week!

Step 5: Iron 1/2″ seam into back panels

TIME: 5 minutes

If you read the post about how to make these envelope pillows, this will make more sense, but you’ll want to iron a 1/2″ seam into one side of your each of your back panels. 

TIP: If you have patterned fabric, try to match up the patterns as you determine which panel will go on which side of the back of your pillow.

Step 6: Iron applique

TIME: 10 minutes

While you have your iron hot, you’ll want to get the front panel of your pillow and iron on your applique. 

My pillows had double appliques, if yours do as well, iron the bottom piece first, then the top piece. 

I found that if you miss a piece and go back later to re-iron, the whole thing comes loose again, so try to get everything at one time. 

Step 7: Pin and sew back panels

TIME: 10 -15 minutes

Now the 1/2″ hem you ironed into both of your back panels needs to get sewn. 

This is where you’ll shove the pillow into the cover, so you’ll want a sturdy hem here. 

Step 8: Pin panels together

TIME: 10 minutes

Pin your panels together. Make sure the patterned or right sides are facing each other. 

You’ll want your back panels overlapping like the picture above. 

The pillow should look like this when you’re done pinning. 

Step 9: Sew

TIME: 10 minutes

Sew a 1/2″ seam all the way around your pillows.

Backstitch over each point that the back panels overlap. That gives some extra strength in those spots that strain when you shove the pillow in. 

Step 10: Clip corners

TIME: 2 minutes

Clip the corners of your pillows to cut some of the bulk in the corners. Be careful not to clip your seam.

Step 11: Iron seams

TIME: 10 minutes

To get the pillow ready to turn, iron the seams open. 

I cheat by ironing one seam flat as you can see above. It makes it faster and still works fine, IMO.

Step 11: Turn and iron

TIME: 10 minutes

Turn your Halloween pillows right side or decoration side out and iron being careful at the edges to iron the seams flat and not bunched or overlapping.

TIP: Use the tip of your scissors or the end of a pencil to get into the corners and get the bunch of fabric pressed out a little bit before you iron.

You’re done! And you have the cutest Halloween pillows on the block!

I made 2 of these cute little spider pillows since I have 2 smaller pillows that I made from one bigger pillow years ago. 

I like happy little decorations versus the scary stuff…I’m a wimp. Plus cheery little decorations make me smile and why not add some happiness to my house, right?

So far, I’ve only been able to chuck these Halloween pillows on the couch and can’t how cute they look because the kids have left stuff all over the couch. 

This little ghosty says…”See you in the next craft, sesh!”

Sign in below to get your printable checklist, and the Cricut cut files and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or DM me pics of your pillows. I’d love to see them!