Desire new throw pillows for Christmas? This guide shares how to stencil 12+ Christmas throw pillow designs with stencils and pillow covers, saving money and storage space!
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Every Christmas I like to do a little crafting of a few new holiday season Christmas accent pillows for the living room couches.
And before you think, “Man, that’s a lot of throw pillows to store each year!”, not so in my case!
That’s because I stencil throw pillow COVERS.
I do not sew. And I do not buy new pillows. However I do purchase new cotton pillow covers to create custom pillows that I use with existing pillow inserts, which makes all the difference in the world for cost, storage, and customization!
Ever dream of a look for your space but you can’t seem to find the perfect pillows? Custom throw pillows changes all that, allowing you to create the look you desire!
Here’s a few of my favorite pillow designs…
Grain Sack chair pads for outdoor furniture
How to stencil authentic grain sack pillows
Visit many other unique and easy pillow tutorials HERE
Creating a custom throw pillow to suit your home decor especially for Christmas is one of the most impactful holiday decor accessories which can ultimately change the entire look of a room. And it can be affordable and easy to do!
Why use throw pillow covers?
- saves storage space
- get two pillows in one by designing both sides
- budget-friendly when you use existing inserts
If I purchased Christmas pillows every year, I’d surely bust out the seams in my house. I just don’t have the space.
Because storing throw pillow covers takes such little space, I go full-out Christmas with my pillows, and make more each year.
You can also save even more space by stenciling both sides of the pillow! You only see one side on your sofa at any given time, so why not have all season on one side and a Christmas pillow design on the other? It works great!
Pillow covers are also budget-friendly, since you’re not purchasing duplicate pillow inserts.
Christmas stencils (find pillow size stencils HERE / all Christmas stencils HERE)
Why use stencils?
- the design is already done for you
- pro results
- quick and easy
- customize with mixing designs
- choose your own colors
Using stencils makes designing your own DIY Christmas pillows effortless, with pro results every time since all the hard work of designing is already done. No tracing or masking tape required. Position the stencil, then just add paint.
So put away the sewing machine and scissors. This round, you’ll need pillow covers, pillow inserts, stencils, and paint!
This guide will share all the tips to get ready to customize your own throw pillows for Christmas, with many inspiring tutorials with videos for inspiration!
Stencil 12+ Easy and Unique No Sew Throw Pillow Designs For Christmas!
Supplies you will need
IKEA pillow covers in 20″ or 26″
IKEA feather inserts in 20″ or 26″
Christmas stencils (find pillow size HERE / all Christmas designs HERE)
Fusion Mineral Paint in colors of choice (works well on fabric)
Stencil brushes (I prefer dome-tipped!)
Something waterproof to slip inside the pillow cover (I use a plastic bag)
Visit craft stores for some added Christmas craft decorations to attach, such as Christmas bells, Christmas ribbon, yarn, etc.
Where to find pillow covers
1. Choose a couch pillow cover in a solid tone.
I collect removable covers from IKEA.
My favorite pillowcase choices are Gurli that come in 20″ and 26″ in lots of different colours. I collect black and white. (Note: Gurli doesn’t appear to be available any longer)
Jofrid is another favorite that come in 20″ and 26″. They have a nubby texture which resembles an antique grain sack which I LOVE, however I’m uncertain if they are still carried.
They come in oatmeal and navy, which resembles a light black to me.
Also consider a different dimension with different shapes and colours in solids for a dramatic pop of color for added visual interest!
I also team up all the pillow covers with IKEA feather inserts. The duck feather pillows hold their shape much nicer, offer much more comfort and seem to last forever.
Find on Amazon – Ikea Gurli pillows / duck feather inserts
Christmas stencils (find pillow size HERE
Where to get pillow-sized Christmas stencils
2. Select a Christmas stencil of choice to suit your decor style and furnishings.
Here are many unique pillow sized Christmas stencils to choose from! Find pillow size HERE / all Christmas designs HERE
Other personal fav stencils are using Grain Sack Stripe stencils HERE, and all pattern stencils HERE.
Be sure to check Funky Junk’s Old sign Stencils under Pillow Size tag HERE often for inspiration and new arrivals of designs!
Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils are shipped from Ontario, Canada, offering international shipping worldwide. Be sure to add more than one stencil design to your order which only adds $1 more per each stencil, resulting in great savings through overall reduced shipping fees!
How to stencil on fabric
Most any fabric can be stenciled, whether it’s wool, silk, linen, velvet, organic cotton or a cotton blend. If you are uncertain that the paint will hold on a given fabric, I suggest to attempt a test on the back just to be sure the paint will adhere to the fabric of choice. Just ensure the fabric you choose to stencil on is machine-wash friendly or at the very least, can be cleaned with hand washing.
3. Choose paint colours of choice.
I use Fusion Mineral Paint HERE (get 10% off!) because it’s this paint works well on fabric. It’s very durable after washing, in which the fabric becomes even softer after repeated washings. I gentle wash then hang to dry.
4. Position stencil on pillow cover where desired, then secure with masking tape along the sides of the stencil.
5. Load stencil brush with paint, then remove most paint onto a rag until your brush feels dry.
6. Stencil images by tapping the brush onto the fabric.
Learn more about how to stencil in THIS POST.
Advanced stencil tips
If you’d like the paint to distribute a little quicker or more transparent, try wetting your stencil brush first, dry it off, then stencil.
Use dome-tipped stencil brush like THESE HERE for the most even coverage. Especially wonderful if you swirl your brush with them while stenciling.
7. Once pillow cover is dry, add a feather insert. One good karate chop and your Christmas pillow is ready to decorate your sofa, chair or bed for Christmas!
Snowflake Christmas Sweater stencil
How to stencil repeating patterns
Repeating patterns offer full coverage of a pillow cover if desired and they are easy to use. The key is ensuring the back of the stencil is dry before continuing the pattern.
Here’s how:
1. Position a repeating pattern stencil in the center of your pillow cover. Stencil this image first.
2. To extend the pattern, ensure the back of the stencil is dry, then move the stencil up, down, left and right, overlapping matching painted pattern with stencil images.
Continue until pillow cover is complete.
Poinsettia Christmas Sweater stencil
How to stencil partial patterns
Here’s a fun twist to a pattern stencil using it like a border! This offers a lighter effect.
1. Center the stencil in the middle of the pillow, then stencil entire image or just the parts you desire.
2. Extend the pattern to the left and right only, leaving the top and bottom of the pillow cover bare.
Reindeer Feed Christmas stencil / Grain Sack Stripes stencil G5L / Read tutorial HERE
How to add vintage-inspired Grain Sack Stripes
Adding grain sack stripes can take any plain stencil design and turn it into a charming vintage grain sack vibe!
To get this look, grain sack stripes can run down the center of the pillow, or on the left and right of a given design.
The stripes can be taped with masking tape, or to make this step quick and easy, here are 6 Grain Sack Stripes stencils to choose from!
Visit THIS post which shares all my fav tips on how to achieve authentic grain sack pillows!
Throw pillow designs to make for Christmas
Now that you know how to stencil any given pillow cover and design, here’s some inspiring Christmas couch pillows to copy! Below shares each pillow, along with the original tutorial, plus a helpful video!
Which one is your favorite?
Festive Reindeer Feed sack pillow
Reindeer Feed grain sack pillow design – visit tutorial HERE
- Reindeer Feed stencil
- Grain Sack Stripe stencil
- Burlap sandbag
If choosing to run Grain Sack Stripes down the middle first, ensure the stripe underneath is a lighter tone than the image you plan to put on top so there’s enough contrast between the two. You want the image on top to pop!
Snowflake Christmas Sweater pillow
- Snowflake Christmas Sweater stencil
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Algonquin
- Jofrid 20″ navy-black pillow cover
This cozy Christmas sweater pillow is shown in tan on black for a neutral look!
Simplified Poinsettia Christmas pillow
- Poinsettia Christmas Sweater stencil
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Algonquin
- Gurli 20″ white pillow cover with feather insert
This Christmas sweater pillow looks so cozy stenciled with only a partial pattern to the sides only in tone-on-tone colors for a lighter effect! A partial pattern is a nice change.
An easy Christmas Sweater Pillow
Christmas Sweater pillows – visit full tutorial HERE
- Christmas Sweater stencil
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black and Casement (white)
- Gurli 20″ white and black pillow covers
These black and white Christmas sweater pillows are neutral, traditional and so fun to create! For a more traditional Christmas look, use red and white. (here’s a sample)
Christmas Sweater pillow video
.
Click above to watch a short video on how to stencil a repeating pattern.
Coordinating plaid and Merry Christmas tree pillows
Merry Christmas pillow / Plaid Christmas pillow – visit tutorial HERE
- Merry Christmas stencil
- Plaid Shirt stencil
- IKEA Gurli black and white pillow covers with feather inserts
Here’s a traditional Merry Christmas pillow, along with a plaid fabric look that is very easy to accomplish with a 2-part plaid stencil! Just choose your plaid colors to coordinate with other pillows.
Plaid pattern video
.
Click above to learn how to achieve a plaid pillow effect!
Create easy cozy argyle pillows
Argyle Christmas or winter pillow – visit original tutorial HERE
- Argyle stencil in large
- Fusion’s Coal Black / Homestead Blue / Algonquin
- Jofrid 20″ oatmeal pillow cover with feather insert
Love a traditional argyle pattern? It’s easy to create with this 2-layered stencil! To get this argyle throw pillow look, rotate the diamond colors before adding the thin lines on top.
Argyle pillow video
.
Click above to see how to stencil an argyle pillow!
Argyle pillow in neutrals – visit original tutorial HERE
- Fusion Mineral Paint’s Coal black / Casement / Algonquin
- Jofrid 20″ oatmeal pillow cover with feather insert
And here’s a timeless Argyle pillow pattern done up in neutrals! I use this look all year around.
Authentic grain sack pillow with a sandbag
Christmas Blend Coffee grain sack throw pillow – visit full tutorial HERE
- Christmas Blend Hot Cocoa stencil (includes a grain sack stripe stencil)
- Homestead Blend Coffee stencil
- Grain Sack Stripe G6L or one comes with Christmas Blend Hot Cocoa.
Stencil a burlap sandbag to get this rustic grain sack pillow look!
Buffalo Check Cabin Resort pillow
Cabin Resort Christmas pillow – view full tutorial HERE
- Cabin Resort stencil
- Buffalo Check medium stencil
- Fort York Red / Coal Black
- IKEA white Gurli 20″ pillow cover with feather insert
This Christmas throw pillow tutorial shares how to get a Buffalo Checked pattern onto any stencil design! Shown in traditional red and black or in neutrals as well.
Snowflake pattern pillow
Snowflake pillow – visit full tutorial HERE
- Winter Graphics stencil
- Fusion’s Coal Black
- IKEA white Gurli 20″ pillow cover with feather insert
This snowflake throw pillow shares how to get a random falling snow look.
Simple grain sack stripe pillow
Simple Grain Sack Stripe Pillow / view black version and tutorial HERE
- Grain Sack Stripe G1L stencil
- Milk Paint by Fusion in Vintage Laurel
- IKEA 20″ Gurli pillow cover with feather insert
A simple grain sack striped pillow offers year-round decorating! However chime in with the festive season by using your color of choice!
Simple grain sack pillow video
.
Click above to see how to achieve this simple grain sack effect!
Well now that was fun! Have I convinced you to design and DIY your own Christmas pillows this year to either gift or make for yourself?
With many more DIY Christmas pillows or all season unique pillow ideas HERE
Visit all my Christmas projects HERE