Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow

More Christmas in July

With all of my newly made Christmas decorations out at my house, and the  piles of Christmas fabric laying about, you could easily believe that I think it is Christmas time already!
                                                

Christmas in July  is the July ATPSA project

I just have this energy and desire to make holiday projects now, during " Christmas in July."  (I figure I should make them now, because you never know what will take up my time in December. :)  )

I am normally not very competitive, but something deep inside of me would not rest until I made my own Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow.... like Amy and Amanda have both made!  (Maybe it became irresistible to me  because they BOTH made such beautiful pillows...)

Amy's pillow-

Amy's Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow    designed by Amy @  Amy Made That!
photo by Amy Made That!

Amanda's pillow-

Amanda's  Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow
photo by  The Patchsmith

Isn't fun to see how two talented and  beautiful quilters create their own beautiful pillows, using  the same pattern!


Well, after taking my time to decide what colors I'd like to use for my own pillow, it didn't take long to cut out, iron and sew up my own pillow.
Fabrics used:    French Poinsettia  London Portfolio for Michael Miller  (for back and seeds)
                       393 Pindot    Makower UK   (green with gold dots)
                       Majestic Yule  by Sentimental Studios for Moda  (red and creme with gold paisley for front )
                         Moda Marbles blender green  (seeds)
                       Heat-n-Bond   fusible for backs of seeds to applique
                       Pellon Fusible Fleece  FF 987
                  

Making the seed applique, using  Heat-n-Bond fusible

Susie's    Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow

The pattern makes a pillow about 17 1/2 inches square, and I only had a 20 inch square pillow form, so I squeezed it in. It is very plump!!  Another reason I wanted to make this pillow, is that it looks so great with the  covered zipper pillow backing.  Amy has a free tutorial ,that makes this elegant zipper back easy to make. (A great first zipper installation project!)

Pillow back     with the Covered Zipper backing

This was the first pillow back that I made with a zipper.  It is very easy to create , and looks so elegant!

The zipper is hiding

I had fun picking out a red  zipper that matched this French Poinsettia fabric.  I get assortments of the 14 inch zippers, in lots of delicious colors, online at   Zip It .  They have excellent customer service and a huge selection.  

Back of pillow

I love this Majestic Yule fabric.  That is in my Moda holiday stash !

My Christmas Tree Topiary Pillow is all ready for Christmas!

By the way, did I mention that this  pillow pattern is  a free pattern from Amy !   Both Amanda  and Amy were bloggers , sharing free patterns in Julie C's  The Crafty Quilter Christmas in July Blog Hop .

Hop on over to our  Across The Pond Sew Along Flickr group to see what everyone is making !  Put your project in , too!  We love seeing what you make ! :)


Merry Christmas  July!!

I'm off to my sewing room!

I am linking up to:  Sew Cute Tuesday @ Better off thread

                            Sew Darn Crafty @ Sew Many Ways