How to Make a Peppermint Pillow with Cuddle® Minky Plush Fabric

Hi, I’m Reen, a Shannon Fabrics Brand Ambassador and the creative force behind Embroidery Garden. I designed a 17-inch round peppermint pillow, stitched using red and white Cuddle® minky plush fabric that will add the perfect sweet touch to your holiday décor!

Let's get started!

How to Make a Peppermint Pillow with Cuddle® Minky Plush Fabric

Recommended Notions and Fabrics

Here are the fabrics and notions I used in making the pillow:

Fabrics

• 1 red Cuddle® 3 Sweet Strip or 10" x 60" yardage (you will need two if you want your pillow double-sided)
• ½ yard of Cuddle® 3 Snow or 10" x 60" yardage (you will need two if you want your pillow double-sided)
• 1 solid red piece of fabric to match red Cuddle® approximately 4.5”x4.5” (or 2 pieces if you want it double sided)

Notions and tools

• One button (with shank) to cover kit (two button package) size 1 7/8”
• A long hand sewing needle to stitch both buttons through the pillow
• Fiber Fill: Fairfield Poly-Fil is preferred
• EZ Quilting 8” Dresden Ruler
• 90/14 Stretch SCHMETZ Needles
• Stiletto by Annie for fluffing up the fibers and to aid in sewing
• Walking foot
• Long flower head pins (Clover is preferred)
• Optional: Two pieces of Quilters Dream poly batting 18”x18”
• Optional: white pompom trim

How to Make a Peppermint Pillow with Cuddle® Minky Plush Fabric

First, cut your Cuddle® Sweet Strips to eight inches in height. It’s important when cutting the panels that the ruler is going in the same direction and the nap of the fabric going downward. The panels will be eight inches tall. 

Cut 10 red panels and 10 white panels (if you’re making a double-sided pillow, cut 20 and 20).

Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a length of 3.0 mm. Since the panels are cut on the straight of grain, there is little or no stretch. I was able to easily sew them together without using a walking foot. If you have trouble, use one. 

Place one red and one white panel right sides together matching one long edge. Pin along the edge to hold the pieces together. Stitch together using ¼-inch seam starting at the wide end and ending at the small end. Backstitch at the beginning and end.  

Stitch a few more panels together in the same way. I prefer stitching small sections at a time then stitching those together to make a larger piece. Stitch the larger sections together to complete the circle, and be mindful of your alternating pattern. 

When you are done stitching all the panels together you will have a circle of alternating red and white fabrics with a hole in the center. If you’re making your pillow double-sided, stitch another alternating circle together in the same way.

Measure the hole in the circle to determine the size of a circle you will need to applique over the opening. Mine required a 3.75-inch finished circle. Create a paper template the size of your needed circle. Cut a square of red fabric and red Cuddle® larger than your template. Place the right sides together. Using your template, trace the circle onto the back side. Pin together then machine sew completely around on the traced line. 

TIP: If you have an embroidery machine and software create a circle the size you need with a running stitch. Hoop the fabric and Cuddle® right sides together and stitch your circle. Remove it from the hoop.

Whether you machine sewed or embroidered your circle, trim ¼-inch away from the stitching all the way around. Clip the curve. Carefully cut a small slit through the red fabric only then turn the circle to the right side rounding out the curve. You have a perfect circle to applique over the opening.

Line the applique evenly over the opening and pin in place. Use a straight stitch or zigzag to attach the circle.

If you’re making a single-sided pillow, use your completed pillow top to lay over the right side of your Cuddle® Snow. With the right sides touching, cut a matching circle of the white.

TIP: My preference is to also cut two matching circles of Quilters Dream poly batting. Place one piece of batting on top of the circles and one on the bottom. The batting creates a nice surface when you go to stuff the pillow. Both sides or your pillow will be smooth. 

Optional: Machine baste white pompom trim to the edge of one of the circles and batting. Have the pompoms facing inward when you sew. It adds a fun decorative element.

Pin all the layers together securely. Your circles will have some stretch. I recommend using a walking foot for the final step of sewing the pillow together. Stitch around the pillow ½-inch from the edge leaving an opening for turning. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end.

Turn the pillow to the right side through the opening and stuff with fiber fill. Hand-sew the opening closed.

Using small pieces of Cuddle® Snow, cover both the buttons following the package instructions. Thread a long hand sewing needle with a double strand of thread. Securely knot the thread in the center of the red applique. Thread the needle though the shank on the button and insert the needle through the center of the pillow out the back side. Thread the needle through the shank on the other button and bring the needle back to the front of the pillow and through the shank.

Go back and forth a few times slightly pulling on the thread to ‘indent’ the pillow giving it a little shape. Securely knot the thread. Use the stiletto to fluff the fibers around the edge of the pillow and the applique circle.

You can follow Embroidery Garden on Facebook and Instagram to see more projects I have stitched using Cuddle® fabrics.

—RW

If you have any questions about Cuddle® minky plush fabrics or any of our Cuddle® Kits, feel free to contact our friendly, no-pressure customer service team at 866-624-5252.

Ready to start creating with Cuddle® minky fabric? Use our store locator to find a selection of Cuddle® minky fabric online or near you.