Guest Blogger - Diary of a Quilter - Felt Circles Pillow

I'm reposting one of my favorite Christmas guest posts! Not only do I love the blogger and the pillow, but also the technique that was used. Happy gluing!!!!!

I am so excited to be hanging out at Someday Crafts today! I am a huge fan of Michelle - she rocks and I feel so honored that she invite me to visit.

My name is Amy Smart and my little blog is called

Diary of a Quilter.

It is where I like to write and share pictures of my granny-hobby of making quilts. (It's rather funny - I used to be so embarrassed to have people I met find out that I liked to make quilts, but somehow I don't have issues sharing it with all of cyber space.) But please don't pigeon-hole me - I like all kinds of other crafty fun. And because I'm lazy efficient, I like to make things quick and easy and I like to make it simple enough for others to join in.

Here are a couple of the tutorial projects on my blog. Some are even non-sewing!

Here is a quick and easy tutorial for a magnetic pin dish. The possibilities with this one are endless - it would make a great Christmas gift for any sewer, for teachers as a paper clip holder, etc.

This is a quick and simple (and cute) way to mend all the holes in your kids' jeans.

(We have had a recent epidemic of knee-holes.)

And if you are looking to pick-up my favorite granny-hobby and want to learn the basics, I have an uber-beginning-quilting series with everything from finding supplies and fabric to sewing and finishing your first quilt!

Today I'm going to share a super-easy method for making a fun throw-pillow. This project is practically no-sew as well! I saw a throw like this last year in Crate & Barrell or Plow & Hearth, one of those magazines, and thought: I could make that. And now, you can too.

Here are your supplies: canvas fabric, felt for the circles, sharp scissors, Elmer's glue, DMC floss, and a biggish needle for embellishing, batting/stuffing and fabric for the pillow backing.

Gather the variety of felt you'd like to use. Scraps are great. I used mostly the el-cheapo felt from any craft/big-box sewing stores, but because I wanted a few more color options I bought a little bit of the nicer wool-felt from a quilt shop. Using a fine-tip Sharpie trace different circle shapes on the felt. Look around your house for a variety of circle sizes.

Cut the canvas to the size you want your finished throw pillow to be + at least 1/4" on all sides for seam allowance. I love the weight of the canvas fabric (I had some left over from this throw pillow last year) and it works really well for this project. Lay out the circles on the felt, playing with colors and size until you get a look that you like. (Pretend there isn't any embellishing on these circles yet - I got excited and forgot to take a picture of that part.)

Now pull out that Elmer's glue. I loved the way the Elmer's worked. Wasn't too heavy or messy (or hot), plus it's washable. Glue sticks won't work. (I tried it.) Apply a very small line around all the edges of the circle and a dab in the middle. YOU DON'T NEED MUCH! If you put too much on it could get bumpy and dry clumpy. A very little bit works great and won't show up like bumpy patches under the felt. The heavy canvas helps provide great stability. I was amazed how well these circles stuck. At first, I was just going to use the glue to hold things down temporarily and then sew them in place, but they stuck so well, I didn't need to sew!

Working with your circles already in position, pick-up one at a time and glue it in place. Start with the circles that aren't double or triple layered.

If you are going to embellish with any kind of stitching on the double/triple layered circles do it BEFORE you glue them to the canvas. I glued the small circles on top of the big circles and then embellished when the glue was dry. I used a simple running stitch, back stitch or whip-stitch (above.) This part is totally optional because that glue works!

When all circles are in place, cut a back to match your front. Pin on all sides. Leave a 5-6" opening on one side and sew the rest of the way around.

When done machine sewing, carefully clip corners before turning the pillow right-side out.

Generously stuff that pillow full and whip-stitch the opening shut and voila! A quick, fun little holiday throw-pillow! I made this so fast- one afternoon easily. I can't wait to try it in non-Christmas colors.


Thanks again to Michelle for having me today! It's been real and it's been fun AND it's been real fun!


THANK YOU, AMY!!! That is seriously a cute pillow! I could see that in a bedroom, living room or... anywhere. I also love that you used ELMER'S GLUE! How easy was that! What a great trick to know. Diary of A Quilter is an awesome blog. If you love quilting, you definitely should check it out weekly. If you want to learn to quilt, Diary of a Quilter is a great place to start. I also love her non-quilt projects too. Head over to Diary Of A Quilter to become a follower!