Each pillow in this stack is embellished with its own vibrant embroidery constructed of french knots.  The intricate knots are inspired by scattering seeds, glowing stars, and microscopic plants.  Make your own unique collection of pillows in different sizes, colors, and designs!

FINISHED SIZES

Large pillow   15 inch square  
Medium pillow  12 inch square
Small pillow    10 inch square
Bitty pillow    6 inch square

 
MATERIALS

1 yard dark brown or black cotton fabric (This is enough fabric to cover front and back of each pillow)
We used Brown Grid fabric from Kokka's Kimono 1 collection.

1/2 yard each of assorted solid cotton fabric for backs (optional backs)
We used Kona Cotton Rich Red and Leaf.

5 - 8 balls pearl cotton embroidery thread in various colors
We used the following colors of Valdani thread: 

blue/greens:  27, 30, 38, 25, 2403, 539, 200

yellow/greens: 10, 18, 152, 153, 199

 
sewing thread  

stuffing 

embroidery needle and hand sewing needle

embroidery hoop 

fabric marker or pencil 

NOTES

Learn all about how to make French knots in our Knot Know-How Tutorial. 

If you would like to learn more about other embroidery techniques, visit our Embroidery Tutorial.

PREPARE AND CUT FABRIC

1. Wash and press your fabric.
   
2. With fabric folded selvage to selvage, cut one 15.5 inch wide strip of pillow front fabric. 
   
3. From the front fabric strip, cut two 15.5 inch pieces.  If you are using a separate fabric for the pillow back, only cut one 15.5 inch square.  Cut one 15.5 inch wide strip from the back fabric; then cut one 15.5 inch square from that strip. Set aside the back piece for now.
   
4. Fold the fabric square in half lengthwise, then in half widthwise. Lightly press with your fingers, then unfold.
   
5. Using the creases as a guide, draw a circle slightly off center in one of the quadrants.  Add as many circles as you want, or just start with one.
   

 
MAKE A HANDFUL OF FRENCH DOTS

1. Follow the French Knot directions in our Knot Know How Tutorial.
   
2. Fit the fabric into the hoop, then begin embroidering with the darkest color thread.  This will be the center of the color burst. 
3. Work in rounds, changing colors every few rows.  Experiment with making more rounds of lighter colors than darker ones, or vice versa.  You can achieve lively optical effects by playing with the balance of dark and light colors.

SEW UP THE PILLOW

1. Pin the front and back fabric pieces right side together.
2. Beginning in the middle of one side, sew a 1/4 inch seam around three sides of the square.  Sew part of the way on the first side, leaving a 5 inch gap between where you end and where you began.  Be sure to back stitch at each end.
3. Turn the pillow right side out and press well. 
4. Fill the pillow with stuffing.
5. Hand stitch the opening shut.

 PREPARE AND CUT FABRIC

1. With fabric folded selvage to selvage, cut one 12.5 inch wide strip of pillow front fabric. 
   
2. From the strip, cut two 12.5 inch pieces.  If you are using a separate fabric for the pillow back, only cut one 12.5 inch square.  Cut one 12.5 inch wide strip from the back fabric; then cut one 12.5 inch square from that strip. Set aside the back piece for now.
3. Draw a circle or other shape on the pillow to use as a guide. 
   

Follow the directions for embroidering and sewing the Large Pillow.

PREPARE AND CUT FABRIC

1. With fabric folded selvage to selvage, cut one 10.5 inch wide strip of pillow front fabric. 
   
2. From the strip, cut two 10.5 inch pieces.  If you are using a separate fabric for the pillow back, only cut one 10.5 inch square.  Cut one 10.5 inch wide strip from the back fabric; then cut one 10.5 inch square from that strip. 
   
3. From the remaining fabric, cut two 6.5 inch squares. Set aside the two back pieces.
   
4. Draw a few small circles or other shapes on the pillow fronts to use as a guide. 
   

Follow the directions for embroidering and sewing the Large Pillow.

Let your imagination be you guide as you embroider these radiating color wheels.  Your embroidery may grow and grow, illuminating the whole fabric.  Enjoy!

Please share your embroidered creations with us in our Connect the Dot Embroidery Group on Flickr!