Before we get started today, please review the Autumn Jubilee Rules and Notices for the entering the drawings for #AutumnJubilee2020. I have already had two disqualifications for different reasons, and I really don’t want to leave anyone out. Now, let’s finish the pillow on our Wool Stitch Along. When we left off, the appliques were stitched, and the veins were stitched. This week we’ll embellish a bit and finish the project.
When the stitching is done, I like to press the piece to make sure all the handwork is laying flat before adding beads and buttons.
I chose some seed beads that coordinated with the colors well.
Then I found a few buttons, too.
The seed beads are sewn on the vein lines, just sprinkled around randomly.
I use a coffee lid to hold the beads, making it easier to pick them up with the needle.
Seed beads are added to all three leaves, then seven buttons are placed around the leaves. Use odd numbers for the most pleasing arrangement.
Next, choose a backing color for your pillow. I like the accent of a dark color on the back, but you could also match your front side. I sewed a label on the back side before assembly.
I chose to sew my pillow right sides together by machine, leaving an opening on the bottom for turning. If you’d rather, you could put wrong sides together and blanket stitch the edge. I’ll be adding trim, so this way was my choice.
Clip the corners to reduce bulk.
Turn and press.
Stuff as you like, then whip stitch the opening by hand.
I had just enough of this gold trim for the edge.
I stitched it on by hand, using a line of stitches down both edges of the trim. This took less than an hour to complete.
All done, the gold braid adds a finishing touch.
It is ready to display as an Autumn accent to a chair or sofa, or your bed.
MadamSew will give away one of their fabulous rotary cutters with extra blades to a lucky winner from this drawing! Leave a comment on this post, using the form at the bottom after any previous comments, then click on the Rafflecopter icon below to enter the drawing. US shipping only.
Are you enjoying the wool project this year? Have you made pillows with wool before?
From My Carolina Home 
Carole, your pillow turned out darling. Maybe I will make one for next year. I love my candlemat from last year.
I love your beautiful pillow, You make it look so easy that I think I will make one. Love how you trimmed it.
…the braid is a very nice touch!
Very pretty. I have not done any wool sewing but will admire yours. I have to give “testimony” to those blades from Madam Sew! I purchased a rotary cutter and several packages of blades during a sale. I love the cutter, and I’ve been using the same blade in it since early August. I have other cutters that needed fresh blades and replaced them all with Madam Sew blades. SUPER QUALITY!!!
Beautiful
Hi Carole, I just love fall and this lovely pillow is speaking my language. I love your embellishments. I haven’t done any beading but I will have to give it a try. Thanks for all your great patterns and ideas.
Never made a pillow! Thank you for clear instruction and artful inspiration!
Very nice! The embellishment adds a lovely touch.
Love the touch of beading!
I love the look of these wool leaves. A simple but neat nod to Autumn. Great job!
Kat
Good morning, I do enjoy wool projects very much. several years ago I stitched a wool pillow with crazy stitches using a patchwork of wools. Your pillow is very pretty love the beads
I thought stitching the veins was a nice accent, then the beads! Each additional embellishment, while small on its own, added so much depth.
The beads add a special dimension to the pillow. That turned out so well and looks so festive.
Beautiful! The beading and trim added the perfect finishing tough 🙂
I haven’t worked with wool all summer but have been getting ready to after seeing so many beautiful projects. I love your pillow and the beads are a fun touch.
Thank you for another fun fall project! Love the beads and buttons!
Beautiful pillow with all the stitches and beads. I’ve only done two small Christmas coasters / ornaments of wool. I don’t do a lot of hand stitching, but have purchased some eBooks to teach me the stitches!
Nice pillow. Love the embellishments!
Love the embellishments!
The embellishments are beautiful.
this is really lovely – thank you so much. I’m finally catching up. All the Halloween stuff is up and lighted outside, but we lost a large maple tree in the last wind storm.
The leaves will remind me.
Thanks again for all the work you put into this.
The hand sewn trim at the edges fits well. Very creative!
Connie
I have not made a wool project yet, but am very interested in trying. Your embellished leaves with the seed beads are so lovely!
duchick at gmail dot com
Your pillow is “sew” pretty! I like the random beads on the veins and the buttons. The gold trim is a great finishing touch, I’m not sure I’d have thought to hand stitch it on as you did but it looks great. Hopefully I can remember that idea.
The pillow is adorable. I’m enjoying your Autumn Jubilee very much. Lots of cute projects that will turn unto Christmas gifts.
I really like this pillow project.
The braid around the edges is gorgeous – the simplest things make for a really nice finish. Well done!!
Such a gorgeous project! The colors in that wool are just delicious 🙂
Thank you for sharing such a fun way to enjoy Autumn!
I recently made some of the acorns where you make small balls of stuffed wool and glue into acorn caps. I may try to attach a few of them to my pillow!
Thank you very much for this excellent tutorial
I have not made pillows with wool before and it has been interesting to see how you finished your pillow off. Thank you for sharing!
Fun pillow. Love the beadwork
Haven’t made any wool pillows, working on a wool christmas wall hanging. If I’m lucky I’ll get it finished by Christmas. Love the embellishments.
Nice looking pillow.
I love the braid as the finishing touch!
Cute pillow. Love handwork.
Hello Carole, Your pillow turned out especially beautiful with all of the extra embellishments. The gold braid trim that you used added extra softness and classiness to the pillow. I think your pillow is an excellent example to encourage those of us who have never tried our hand at wool applique, hand embroidery, beading, embellishments and of course in the assembly of creating a pillow of wool fabric. I am one of your loyal followers who always forgets to purchase any wool to be prepared for one of your wonderful projects. LOL. I now have it on my absolute buy list as a perfect gift to make for each of my Nieces daughters now! Thank you for sharing another great project, Carole. I do look forward to trying this! Have a fabulous day!!
I love the wool project this year and have used wool before in pillows. Thanks again for the inspiration!
Your pillow turn out so pretty. I love the way you sewed your beads on over the previous embroidery; how clever of you! Madam Sew is a great resource, just wish she carried the larger 60mm blades for my big honker cutter. LOL
The pillow is sooooo cute! The beading really gives it extra character that makes the design pop.
I’ve never made a wool pillow before. I love the embellishments on yours. Thank you for the instruction.
Your pillow says “Autumn”. I love it.
Very pretty pillow.
It looks so easy! I might have to make one of those!!
Wow! this is amazing.
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The beads and the buttons make this such a fun project! They will also help me interest my 10-year-old granddaughter in doing this with me. Thanks for sharing this project!
I like the bead addition a lot.
This is really pretty Carole, the beads add the perfect sparkle and the braid just makes the pillow!
Your pillow is GORGEOUS!!!!! & the beads make it Amazing!!! Wow!!
I’ve made a few pillows with wool. Love how warm they look and they’re so easy to make! No needle turn applique or sewing blocks together Perfect Autumn project!!
This is really pretty and I especially like the beads in the stitching for the leaf veins.
What a beautiful pillow. Your designs are so pretty. I’ve never made a pillow, but this design makes me want to!
So far I haven’t tried any wool projects, but I would like to!
I don’t work with wool but I have contemplated felting with cat hair. Haven’t found the time to start.
The pillow is great. Thank you for the tutorial.
Oh, this pillow is precious! I would love to have time to work on some cute fall decor like this, but with virtual learning, I have very little time in my craft room turned schoolroom.
I love wool appliqué and your fall pillow is really cute. I just finished up the last of the stars for the Autumn Jubilee Quilt. Now I’m caught up and ready for the next step. I’m so glad I found your blog. Thanks for the fun sew along.
Love this pillow. It looks great. Thank you
This is a lovely way to play with gorgeous Autumn colours. Great finish.