For a couple of years, I've been admiring the festive pillows that fill retailer shelves this time of year but I can't justify spending the big bucks they are asking. Buying them on clearance after the holidays hasn't been successful because the "good ones" are picked over.

That is when I decided to put my DIY savvy and novice sewing skills to work and make my own for a fraction of the cost. I love how they turned out and thought I would share How To Make Burlap Skating Silhouette Pillows, that I practically made in my sleep. More about that later...

How To Make Burlap Skating Silhouette Pillows

I made mine with zippers on the bottom so my regular pillows simply slip inside during the holidays. In the step-by-step instructions below, I share how to make them without zippers.


Normally I like to provide photos to accompany each step of my tutorials but I made these in the middle of the night behind a closed door with only a task lamp to light my sewing table. I was worried enough about the constant hum of my sewing machine waking up my household, let alone adding the click click sound of my camera. So I apologize for providing only a written tutorial below.


Why was I sewing in the middle of the night you ask?


I met a friend for "a" coffee at Starbucks in the late afternoon. We got to talking about life and solving the world's problems and two extra bold grande coffees later...

I forced myself to shut the sewing machine off at 4:00 AM and went to bed only to stare at the ceiling counting sheep until daylight peered through the window.

In those sleepless hours, I made these festive pillows and thought I would share a tutorial on how I made them. If you can sew a straight line, then you too can make these pillows.

Materials List

Burlap fabric
16-inch pillow forms
Tan all-purpose thread
Carbon Paper
Script Liner Art Brush
Holiday Red Craft Paint
--- OR ---
TAP Transfer Artist Paper

How To Sew Pillow Covers

1. Fold the burlap in half so you can cut the front and back of each pillow at the same time.
2. Cut the fabric the same size as your pillow form and for a nice snug fit, don't add a seam allowance. (don't add a seam allowance if you want a nice snug fit).
3. With the good sides of the fabric facing each other, sew a straight stitch around the entire pillow, leaving a 6" opening on the bottom.
4. Turn right side out.
5. With the end of a wooden spoon, push out the corners.

NOTE: Use ready-made pillow covers

If sewing isn't your strong suit, purchase plain white or tan-colored pillow covers and move onto the next step.

How To Add Skating Silhouette Graphic

I found these adorable vintage skating silhouette graphics at The Graphics Fairy

In PicMonkey I created the graphic for each pillow and printed them onto regular bond paper.

Insert a piece of cardboard into the pillowcase.

Using carbon paper simply trace the graphic onto the center of each pillow cover.

Using a script liner paintbrush and craft paint in the color Holiday Red, paint over the trace marks.

Once the paint is dry, remove the cardboard and insert the pillow forms into each cover.

Hand-stitch the 6-inch opening on the bottom.

NOTE: Image Transfer Alternative

Print the graphic in color directly onto TAP Paper (Transfer Artist Paper) and iron the image directly onto the burlap pillow covers. A much easier alternative!

That's it! If you like my Vintage Skating Silhouette Pillows please share with a friend and/or save on Pinterest.



Does this seem like a project you could make?