Easy DIY Christmas Pillows

Learn how to make three simple pillow covers for the holiday season.

I decided to switch out my bright floral summer pillows for cozy, textured neutrals with pops of red for Christmas, so I thought I’d show you how to sew three simple pillow covers you can make in an afternoon.

Here are a few instructions to get you started.

Sweater Pillow

I bought a gray sweater at a thrift store, cut a square from the body of the sweater and sewed it up. I LOVE this pillow. It has so much texture, adds that winter coziness and best of all, I didn’t have to knit those detailed cable designs. It took less than an hour to make!

Easy Plaid Deer Pillow

1. Download the deer template HERE.
2. Iron double sided iron-on adhesive (like THIS) to the back of the black and white fabric (from Joann).
3. Trace the deer onto the paper backing, peel off the paper and iron it to the pillow fabric.
4. Braid or crochet two 6-inch lengths of red “scarf.”
5. Attach the scarf to the pillow by poking holes in the fabric, stuffing the yarn through, then hot gluing or hand-sewing it down with coordinating thread.
6. Optional: You can run a satin stitch around the edge of the deer to protect the seams from coming up over time. I didn’t. I figure it’s going to be used one month of the year.

I sewed my own pillow cover, but you can buy a really similar looking blank pillow cover HERE for less than $4, then add the deer to it. It even has a zipper closure.

I sewed my own pillow cover, but you can buy a really similar looking blank pillow cover 2 for $12 on Amazon, then add the deer to it. It even has a zipper closure.

Plaid Cloth Napkin Pillow

This pillow was the easiest of all. I bought two cloth napkins from Hobby Lobby’s Christmas section and sewed them together. They were half off, so each napkin was only $1.50. It doesn’t get any easier than that! Here’s a cloth napkin that’s buffalo check. On a related note, I shared a video of how to make a pillow out of a placemat on Instagram.

I’m loving my cozy Christmas couch. I curl up under that divine fur throw blanket (from Fred Meyer), sip hot cocoa and enjoy the glowing lights of the Christmas tree.

Happy crafting!