I love to collect vintage bias tape from the thrift store, and I used some of it today in my Bias Tape Pumpkin Pillow! It’s a great project to decorate for autumn.
Supply List for Your Pumpkin Pillow
Before starting this easy to follow pillow tutorial, gather these materials. This is a great scrap buster!
- About 2 yards bias tape (orange for the pumpkin, green/brown for the stem), 1/2 inch single-fold or 1/4 inch double-fold
- Scrap piece of fabric for stem (brown or green)
- Fabric to make a pillow cover (I used a linen-y cotton fabric)
- Pillow form (I used a 15.5-inch one)
- Bias Tape Pumpkin Template
- Basting glue, or Xyron 1.5-inch sticker maker and repositionable adhesive
- Ruler, rotary cutter, scissors
- Washable pen
- Lightweight tear-away stabilizer and iron-on interfacing
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine and thread to match
Directions: Preparing the Pillow Cover
Cut out your pillow fabric. I’m making an envelope-style pillow where I cut a rectangle of fabric and overlap the ends so I don’t need a zipper. So for a 15.5-inch pillow form, I cut a 16×44 inch rectangle. If you prefer, you can cut 2 pieces of 16×16 square fabric for the front and back.
Determine the front of the pillow by centering the pillow form in the rectangle and folding the fabric over it. Press the folds to mark where you will be centering your one pumpkin design.
Download, print, and cut out your template. Trace it onto your fabric with a washable pen. On the template, you’ll see notches where you will place your pumpkin “stripes”. Mark them on your fabric to ensure correct placement.
Applying the Bias Tape
If your bias tape is single-fold, fold it lengthwise down the middle to make it double-fold and press. The result should be 1/4 inch double fold bias tape.
To attach the bias tape without pins, I used my Xyron sticker maker with repositionable adhesive. I looped the bias tape around and fed both ends into it, making sure it lay flat. This makes it super easy to curve the tape onto the fabric.
Starting at the mark from the template, press down the bias tape in a curve to make the pumpkin ribs. Trim the ends. Then, apply the outline of the pumpkin, making sure it overlaps the raw edges of the stripes.
Sewing the Applique
Use a lightweight stabilizer on the back to prevent puckering. Sew along the bias tape right next to the fold. Sew all four stripes first, then the outline. Make sure that as you sew, the folds remain closed for a neat finish.
Adding the Stem and Finishing
For the stem, I used a piece of wider bias binding. Fold it to create a rectangle and top stitch it onto the pillow, overlapping the top of the pumpkin. If you wish, fuse some lightweight interfacing on the back to cover the stitching.
Now finish sewing up your pillow cover. Since I did mine envelope-style, I hemmed the short ends, folded them over the pillow form (right sides together), and sewed the top and bottom seams with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn right side out and insert your pillow form. You can fluff out the bias tape for texture.
All done! I love how it turned out. It’s perfect for fall or Halloween decor. You can make more throw pillows using this method, perhaps creating a quilt block style or adding a leaf shape.
Conclusion
We hope that after reading this blog, you have gained a better understanding of how to use bias tape for applique. This Bias Tape Pumpkin Pillow is a fun diy project that adds a cozy, handmade touch to your home. Whether you use it as a throw pillow or a seasonal accent, it is sure to be a conversation starter. If you need more inspiration, check out our other fall crafts!
FAQs
Q: What pattern is best for making a bias tape pumpkin pillow?
A: The best pattern for a bias tape pumpkin pillow is a simple round or pumpkin block template that includes markings for tuck lines and stem placement; beginner-friendly patterns often show step-by-step placement of the bias tape so you can easily join pieces and maintain consistent gathers for a realistic pumpkin shape.
Q: How do I determine the right size for my bias tape pumpkin pillow?
A: Choose the size based on where you’ll display it — standard decorative sizes range from 12 to 18 inches across; the pattern will give a recommended finished size, but you can scale up or down and adjust the amount of batting and stuffing so the pumpkin block holds shape without bulging at the seams.
Q: Can I use a fat quarter to make a small pumpkin pillow?
A: Yes, a fat quarter can be used for a small pumpkin pillow or multiple small pumpkin blocks; you may need to simplify the side of the pillow details and use narrower bias tape, but fat quarters are excellent for coordinating fabrics and small accent pumpkins.
Q: What’s the best way to join bias tape strips when wrapping a pumpkin block?
A: To join bias tape strips neatly, overlap the ends by about 1/4 inch on the bias so the seam stays flexible, stitch securely and press the join toward the back of the pumpkin; this minimizes bulk on the front and helps the tape follow the curve without puckering.
Q: How do I finish the pillow back for easy removal or laundering?
A: For a removable pillow back, include an envelope closure or zipper in the pattern so the pillow back can be removed; position the opening along the lower corner or the back center to keep the show side of the pillow uninterrupted by closures.
