How to Make Pillow Style Ornaments from Cross Stitch

This finish turns a small stitched piece into a soft, dimensional ornament. It works well for holidays, gifts, or everyday decor depending on the fabrics and trims you choose.

What You’ll Need

• Finished stitching
• Fabric for the back
• Lightweight interfacing
• Lining fabric (quilting cotton works well)
• Fiber fill
• Twine, cord, or ribbon for edging and hanging
• Optional embellishments (bells, charms, beads)
• Sewing thread and needle
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Corner turning tool

Steps

1. Trim your stitched piece, leaving about 3/4 inch of fabric around the design.
2. Cut the backing fabric and lining fabric to the same size.
3. Iron interfacing onto the back of the stitched piece and the backing fabric.
4. Layer the pieces with backing fabric face up, stitching face down, and lining fabric on top. Pin or clip.
5. Sew around all four sides using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, leaving a small opening for turning.
6. Clip the corners, turn right side out, and gently push out the corners.
7. Stuff with fiber fill until the ornament feels full but not overpacked.
8. Hand stitch the opening closed.
9. Starting at the top edge, wrap twine or cord around the perimeter. Stitch it in place with small stitches that sink into the fibers.
10. Leave extra length at the top, join the ends, and stitch them together to create a hanger.
11. Add optional embellishments if desired.

Quick Tips

• Different fabrics and trims completely change the final look
• Stuff lightly for a softer ornament, firmly for a structured one
• Hand sewing the edging gives the most control on small pieces