I love changing out the decor around my house for each season and holiday. To me, it keeps things fresh and fun. I also have scaled way back on how much I change out as my kids have gotten older and busier, and I seem to have less time both to create as well as decorate. I’ve also been on a mission to use colors I love for my seasonal decor, which leads to the cute Thanksgiving throw pillow covers I recently made. They’re pink and grey and go perfectly with my home decor, yet look like Thanksgiving or fall home decor.
I know as moms, sometimes it can be hard to find time to craft, DIY, or do something we love or enjoy. Yet, I also know that we need to find the time. I’m on a mission to help moms find a little crafty time or time to do something they love with some simple organization. To learn more, check this out or sign up for the free Mom To Do lists via email.
Thanksgiving Throw Pillow Covers
Supplies:
- Fabric – 3 coordinating fabrics
- Scissors
- Cutting wheel and mat(optional) – affiliate link
- Heat n Bond Lite or Heat N Bond Ultra Hold(affiliate links)
- 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. That way, you can remember what you’ve done when you get interrupted working on these Thanksgiving 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. The designs I used in Cricut Design Space will cost you less than $3.
Step 2: Cut fabric & Heat n Bond
TIME: 15-20 minutes
You’ll need to decide if you want your applique to be no-sew or if you want to sew your applique to the pillow. If you want the no-sew applique, use the Heat N Bond Ultra Hold(affiliate link). If you prefer the look of sewing the applique, use the Heat n Bond Lite (affiliate link).
I found out the hard way, when I made my Halloween pillows, that the Heat n Bond Lite isn’t strong enough to be no-sew. I had to go back and sew the appliques on my Halloween pillows….exactly what I’d been trying to avoid. ?
If you need to know how to make pillow covers, check out my tutorial on how to make the simple envelope style pillows. That shows you how to cut the fabric for your pillows as well as how to sew the covers.
Step 3: Iron Heat n Bond
TIME: 5 minutes
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 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. Take a look at that post for the specific settings you’ll need to use.
Make sure you remove the paper backing from the Heat n Bond before you place that side(the Heat n Bond side) onto the Cricut mat. If you don’t, it will take you a long time to remove the paper from the mat….not that I’ve made that mistake a time or two or anything. ? ?
Step 5: Iron 1/2″ seam into back panels
TIME: 5 minutes
Now you need to iron a 1/2″ seam into one side of each of your back panels.
TIP: If you have patterned fabric, try to match up the patterns as best you can in this step. Sometimes one panel will look better than the other.
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.
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 be sewn.
This is where you’ll shove the pillow into the cover, so you’ll want a sturdy hem here.
Step 8: Sew applique (optional)
TIME: 30 minutes
If you used the Heat n Bond Ultra, you don’t need to sew your applique.
I had cut these out when I cut out the Halloween pillows, so I had used Heat n Bond Lite and had to sew my appliques.
The appliques I selected required both my patient pants and a fair amount of time because of how detailed they were. If that doesn’t appeal to you, either pick a basic applique or use the Heat n Bond Ultra.
In the end, I’m glad I sewed the appliques because the detail looks nice. Yet, it took me forever since I did the Halloween pillows and some Christmas pillows you’ll see soon as well.
Step 9: 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 10: Sew
TIME: 10 minutes
Sew a 1/2″ seam all the way around your pillows.
Backstitch where the back panels overlap to give extra strength there.
Step 11: Clip corners
TIME: 2 minutes
To cut some of the bulk, clip the corners of your pillows. Be careful not to clip your seam.
Step 12: 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 13: Turn and iron
TIME: 10 minutes
Turn your Thanksgiving throw pillow covers right side or decoration side out. Iron the covers being careful at the edges to iron the seams, so they’re 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 that fabric all the way out before you iron.
You’re done! And you have the cutest Thanksgiving throw pillow covers on the block!
I love how the pillow covers are Thanksgiving/fall themed and that they’re colors that go with my living room. I also love seeing more pink in my living room!
These Thanksgiving throw pillow covers are an easy way to add some Thanksgiving or fall decor to your home. Once you’ve made them, each year, it’ll take you less than 5 minutes to change out your decor. ?
As always, you can sign in below and snag your printable instructions. I’ve added a place to check off what you’ve completed, so if your #momlife is like mine and you can’t finish this craft in one day, you can remember where you left off. The checklist will also help you see how you can break this craft up into the pockets of time you have. Yay!
Also, sign in below to get the Cricut cut files.
When you’re done, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or DM me pics of your pillows. I’d love to see them!
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