Hello! I’m Melanie, Janome Maker, from A Bit of Scrap Stuff (Blog) or (Instagram). Today I’m sharing a tutorial for a Spooky Fun – Circle Appliqué Pillow! This is a quick and fun home decor project that is easily completed in an afternoon or evening! I selected Halloween fabric as it is Spooky Season, but you can easily use any fabric that fits your home decor!
I created an appliqué project because I recently received the Janome Appliqué Foot (AP) and wanted to use it immediately. Yes – I love this (new to me) foot as my appliqué stitches look so fabulous and even! I recently learned about the Janome Appliqué Foot (AP) when I was watching the Janome Skill Builder Series Week 6 Video on YouTube – here . The video is full of helpful appliqué tips!
Janome Supplies Required
- Sewing Machine * I sew/quilt on a Janome M7, which I looooooove!
- Applique Foot (AP) – be sure your foot is the correct size for your machine. I use a 9mm foot for the Janome M7.
- Quarter Inch Foot (1/4″)
- Free Motion foot (optional)
- (2) 18″ x 18″ Fabric Squares – Pillow Front and Back * Spooky Darlings Fabric designed by Ruby Star Society
- Random Fabric Scraps – Circle Appliqué Shapes * Spooky Darlings Fabric designed by Ruby Star Society
- Heat N Bond Lite or preferred sewable fusible adhesive
- 20″ or larger nylon zipper
- AccuQuilt Circle Die 2″, 3″, 5″ (optional). I used my AccuQuilt GO! Circle Die for perfectly cut circles. No worries if you do not have this AccuQuilt die as you can draw circles on the paper side of Heat N Bond Lite then cut out circles with scissors
- 19″ x 19″ scrap batting
- 18″ x 18″ pillow insert
Instructions
Step 1: Adhere fusible adhesive (Heat ‘N Bond Lite) to wrong size of fabric scraps. Be sure to sure to use a fusible adhesive that is safe for sewing as you will be appliqué stitching on the circles.
Step 2 (AccuQuilt Method): Cut desired number of circles using AccuQuilt GO! Circle 2″, 3″, 5″ die. I prefer to remove the fusible adhesive paper backing prior to cutting the circles and only cut 2 layers at a time (Right side of fabrics touching)
OR
Step 2: Trace circles with pen/pencil on paper side of Fusible Adhesive. You can use cups or bowls as a template or a compass. My circles are cut at 2″ or 3″ or 5″, but you can use any size! Using scissors, cut along drawn circle line. Remove paper backing
Step 3: Place circles in desired layout on Pillow Front Fabric 18″ x 18″. I chose to have a few circles off the edge of the fabric for variety. Remember there will be a 1/4″ seam along all edges of pillow.
Peek of the partial circles on the finished pillow.
Step 4: Iron/fuse circles in desired layout on Pillow Front Fabric 18″ x 18.
Step 5: Using Janome Appliqué Foot (AP), appliqué along edge of circles. My preferred settings:
Appliqué hint:
Photo 1: Correct Needle Position. If you need to pivot/raise up presser foot to rotate fabric while using an Appliqué Stitch, the needle should be on the outside of the appliqué shape/circle.
Photo 2: Incorrect Needle Position. Do NOT pivot/raise pressure foot when needle is inside appliqué shape/circle. This will create an odd stitch and not a consistent appliqué stitch. Keep foot down and take another stitch until needle position is on outside of appliqué shape/circle as shown above.
Step 6: Optional Quilting. I chose to free motion meander around the Appliqué Circle Shapes.
Step 7: Finish pillow with preferred method.
I love to use a Zipper to finish my pillows as it looks clean and professional plus it is easy to remove the pillow cover for washing or changing of seasonal decor.
I have two free tutorial methods on Zipper Installation for Pillows.
- Tutorial: Adding an exposed zippered pillow backing – here
- Tutorial: Reversible Pillow in 15 minutes – here (this is the method I used for this pillow)
Spooky Fun – Circle Appliqué Pillow (front and back)
Are you going to use Seasonal Fabric or Everyday Fabric for your Circle Appliqué Pillow?
Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more fabric fun!
Have a great day and happy sewing / quilting!
Melanie Call