Tuck Pillow Ornament

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This finishing technique is similar to the Filled Pillow With Optional Braid & Tassel but instead of sewing the finished piece into the ornament, a pocket is created which frames and holds your stitched piece in place.

Materials Required

  • Polyester Fiberfil for stuffing
  • Cotton or broadcloth fabric
  • Ribbon or Braided Cording
  • Fusible Web (available from fabric store)
  • Sewing thread and needle (or sewing machine)
  • Iron
  • Point Turner
  • Tuck Pillow Pattern

Pattern Instructions

  1. Before beginning construction, you need to first generate a pattern for the pillow pieces by using the Tuck Pillow Pattern Maker on this site. Go to the page and enter the width, height, and fabric count of the pattern you wish to put into the finished tuck pillow.
  2. If you have a specific width in mind for the border or "Frame" of the pillow, enter it in the box labeled Pillow Border Width. If you leave the box blank, an appropriate value will be chosen.
  3. If you would like to have a specific distance between the edge of the pillow border and your fabric, enter that in the Pattern Space box. If you leave the box blank, an appropriate value will be chosen.
  4. Click the Update button to see your pattern. If you forgot to enter any required data or entered an invalid number, the problems will be listed at the top of the page. Fix the problem and try again.
  5. Click the View Print Version button to see the full-sized pattern. If you have a printer, click the Print link on that page and then cut out the pattern pieces.

Construction Instructions

  1. Braided Cording Using the pattern piece labeled Pillow Back, Stitching Back, cut two pieces of fabric and two pieces of Fusible Web to the size marked. If you are using a patterned fabric, you can substitute a solid color for the Stitching Back since it will not be seen.
  2. Braided Cording Using the pattern piece labeled  Borders, cut four pieces of fabric and four pieces of Fusible Web to the size marked. If you chose the Pillow Shape Same As Pattern option when creating your pattern, you will have two separate pattern pieces, one labeled Top & Bottom Borders and the second labeled Side Borders. Cut two fabric and two Fusible Web pieces for each.
  3. Braided Cording Using the pattern piece labeled Stitched Project, place the pattern over your stitched piece and align the X in the center of the pattern with the center of your stitched piece. Trim your stitched piece along the line labeled Maximum Size. Your project will fit within the pillow provided it is not smaller than the line labeled Minimum Size. Use pinking shears to cut in a zig-zag pattern along the edges or baste the edges to prevent from unraveling.
  4. Braided Cording Center the Fusible Web pieces on the BACK of each of the fabric pieces cut in Step 1 and secure according to manufacturer's directions.
  5. Braided Cording Center the Fusible Web pieces on the BACK of each of the fabric pieces cut in Step 2 and secure according to manufacturer's directions. Fold each strip in half lengthwise with the backs facing inward. The fold line is also marked on the pattern. Iron flat.
  6. Braided Cording Braided Cording Take the fabric cut from the Stitching Back pattern and lay flat with the back facing down. Note if you choose the Pillow Shape Same As Pattern option, it is important to position the fabric in same direction as the pattern.

    Take two of the four strips previously ironed on Step 5 created from the Borders pattern (Side Borders pattern if you chose the Pillow Shape Same As Pattern option) and pin one to each of the sides of the back with the folded side facing toward the center of the backing. The raw edges of each border should be lined up with the raw edges of the back. Repeat with the remaining two pieces but pin to the top and bottom of the back with the folded side facing toward the center.
  7. Braided Cording Stitch the four strips to the back along the dotted seam allowance line indicated on the pattern. This forms the pillow front.
  8. Braided Cording If you choose to add a hanger to the pillow, cut a piece of ribbon or Braided Cording that is twice as long as the finished height of your pillow. Put the ends together and pin to the top center of the pillow front completed in Step 6.
  9. Braided Cording Take the fabric cut from the Pillow Back pattern and pin with the back facing out to the pillow front. Note that it is critical to leave an opening at the bottom of the pillow for stuffing. This location is marked on the Pillow Back pattern with the words Do Not Sew. Mark this location with pins as a reminder. Turn over and stitch along the previous stitching line made when the borders were sewn to the stitching back being sure to leave the opening at the bottom.
  10. Braided Cording Trim the excess fabric to within 1/8" (32 mm) of the stitched edge excluding the area near the opening at the bottom. Clip the corners at a 45 degree angle to ensure that the finished corner lays properly being careful not to cut into the sewn area.
  11. Braided Cording Turn the stitched fabric "outside-in" so that the back of the stitching is now on the inside. To do this, take the side of the stitching opposite the opening and push it through the opening. You may need to use a Point Turner to push the corners out completely. Gently lift the borders of the pillow and slide your stitched piece under centering within the opening. Iron flat with the stitching face down.
  12. Braided Cording Fill the ornament with Fiberfil from the opening left in the bottom. For a flatter ornament, use less filling. To create a fuller ornament, add more.
  13. Braided Cording After adding the desired amount of filling, Slip-Stitch the opening at the bottom edge together and insert your stitched project.
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