Don’t these ruffles look just like chocolate icing or whipped cream? You almost want to swipe a finger through them to taste them. Picture yourself curling up with this cozy pillow on a chilly winter night, or imagine how cute it’ll look on your couch, adding a little handmade charm to your holiday setup. We’ll show you how to do this super sweet and easy Christmas decor DIY!
The ruffles are super easy to make, too! Cut strips of fabric, sew a basting stitch in a zigzag line along the strips (this gives it that wavy icing look), and gently gather them up to form those fluffy, ruffled layers. Pin them in place on your pillow and stitch them down – it’s like decorating a cake, but way less messy! 🙂 (Ok, maybe not if you’re using minky fabrics, lol)
Materials needed for this Christmas decor DIY
- Fabric for the pillow cover (choose your preferred size)
- Non-fraying fabric for the ruffled tree and trunk (go for contrasting colors)
- A star embellishment (you can use a pre-made star or make one from fabric)
- Optional: Embroidery stabilizer if using stretchy fabric
We used our SuperSoft SHORTY minky fabrics for the pillow in the pictures:
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Bundle of 5 ♥ Minky CHRISTMAS fabric bundle (half size pieces) – SuperSoft SHORTY
USD $39.90 Add to cart -
Brown minky fabric – SuperSoft SHORTY
USD $12.90 – USD $27.90 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Ivory minky fabric – SuperSoft SHORTY
USD $12.90 – USD $27.90 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
How to sew the ruffled Christmas tree
1. Cut the pieces for the pillow cover. Draw the shape of the tree (a triangle) to the right fabric side of the front pillow using a fabric marker. Then appliqué the tree trunk first.
2. Prepare the ruffles by cutting strips of fabric, approx. 1 inch thick (2.5–3 cm) and 3 times the width of the tree in length. Sew a basting stitch in a zigzag line along the strips, leaving the start and end of the sewing thread long. Then gather the strips by pulling on one end of the sewing thread to form ruffles.
3. Arrange the ruffled strips on the pillow front to form the tree shape. Pin them in place and sew them down using a straight stitch.
4. Add the star bead or embellishment on top of the tree.
5. Now sew your pillow cover, whether it’s with an envelope closure, a zipper, or a simple opening for stuffing with batting. That’s it!
For a visual guide, watch our quick tutorial from our YouTube channel on creating the ruffled Christmas tree pillow:
TIP: This project is not only a fun way to personalize your holiday decor but also makes a thoughtful handmade gift. Experiment with different fabrics and embellishments to make it an even more unique decor!
One last note: Make sure to follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter for even more free patterns and lots of great sewing ideas! 🙂
