Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to turn bright neon wool charms into a cheerful wool-appliqué pillow cover.
Here we go.
First, let's look at the fabric
This one is #Charms11 Neon.
It's a set of 11 Wooly Charms. They come packaged in a clear box, with a laser engraved keepsake tucked in there too.
The wool is hand-dyed. It is felted, and it is ready for stitching right out of the box. No extra prep to fuss with.
The colors are rich and vibrant — a multicolor neon mix that is anything but shy. Every charm brings its own bright pop.
I love felted wool for appliqué. It does not fray like a raw cotton edge. Cut a shape, place it, and stitch it down. Just like that.
The project: a bright neon pillow cover
We're making an envelope-style pillow cover, about 18 inches square finished. That fits a standard 18-inch pillow form, and it is a great size for a couch, a reading chair, or a kid's room.
The idea is simple. You build the cover from quilting cotton. Then you cut bold shapes from the wool charms — circles, stars, hearts — and appliqué them to the front panel before you sew the cover together.
Why does this wool suit a pillow cover? That felted surface adds soft texture you can feel every time you lean on it. Those neon colors pop against a plain background, so even a simple row of shapes looks really really fun. And appliquéing a flat panel first is much easier than stitching through a finished cover.
Materials list
- One pack of #Charms11 Neon — 11 Wooly Charms, hand-dyed felted wool
- About 3/4 yard of quilting cotton for the cover — cut one front panel 18 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches, and two back panels 18 1/2 by 13 inches
- One 18-inch pillow form
- Thread that blends with your appliqué shapes, plus piecing thread
- A size 80/12 or 90/14 needle for assembling the cover, and a hand needle you like for appliqué
- Paper-backed fusible web, optional, and small, sharp scissors
- A ruler, a marking pencil, and pins or clips
Brief steps
1. Cut and prep your panels. Cut one front panel at 18 1/2 by 18 1/2 inches. Cut two back panels at 18 1/2 by 13 inches. Hem one long edge of each back panel by folding it under 1/4 inch, then 1/4 inch again, and stitching it down.
2. Cut your wool shapes. Draw simple shapes on paper first. Keep them bold — circles about 2 to 3 inches across, or a star about 4 inches wide, work super duper well. Mix your neon colors so no two neighbors match. Save scraps for dots.
3. Appliqué the front. Lay your shapes out on the front panel. Pin them, or fuse them lightly. Stitch each one down with a small blanket stitch, about 4 to 5 stitches per inch. Slow down on the star points, or the needle can jump right off the edge.
4. Layer the cover. Lay the front panel right side up. Place the two back panels on top, right side down, with the hemmed edges overlapping in the middle by about 4 inches. Pin all the way around.
5. Sew and turn. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip the corners at an angle, careful not to cut your stitches. Turn the cover right side out through that back overlap, and poke the corners out gently.
6. Press and fill. Press the cover flat, keeping direct heat off your appliqué. Slide your 18-inch pillow form in, fluff it up, and smooth the back overlap flat. Just like that.
Practical tips from my table
Do all your appliqué before the cover exists, y'all. A flat panel sits happy under your hands. A finished cover fights you on every stitch.
Keep your shapes simple. A slightly wobbly star still reads as a star. Test your stitch on a scrap first — if your thread pulls too tight, loosen up a touch. Wool is forgiving, but it will pucker if you tug.
Neon loves a calm background. A soft white or a light gray lets those bright colors do the talking. Completely up to you, though — a dark background makes them glow, too.
Press with care, and keep direct heat off your appliqué. A pressing cloth helps here, folks.
And here's your permission beat. It doesn't have to be perfect. A stitch that wanders a little is handmade charm, not a mistake. You're your own worst critic, I promise. Take your time, it's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for spending a little time with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the #Charms11 Neon at Linda's Electric Quilters.
