How to Make a Chenille Heart Pillow Tutorial

This how to make a chenille heart pillow tutorial is a great way to learn how to make faux chenille.  With  a little work and patience you can learn this technique and apply it to your other sewing projects.  I confess there is something fun about cutting the fabric and seeing the raw edges fluff up after washing.

For this project you will need:

Fleece fun’s free pattern (located at the end of the tutorial)

1/2 of fleece or minky fabric

1/2 yard flannel

1/2 yard of gold lame (optional but fun to add)

Rotary Cutter, Ruler and Mat

Fabric Marking Pen

Olfa Chenille Cutter (you can use scissors, but trust me this will make your life MUCH easier)

12 by 12 pillow form

Sewing Essentials (scissors, pins, etc.)

Washing machine (and some dirty laundry – multitasking!)

How to make a Chenille Heart Pillow

Step 1 – Cut out the Following

You will need to assemble the pattern.  For instructions on how to assemble the sewing pattern click here.

The pattern is just the heart shape. The pillow construction is so simple that you won’t need a pattern.

From the flannel out 2 to 4 heart shapes. ( if you want the heart to be really thick and full like mine cut 4 if you want it to be a little less full ( so you can see the fabric behind the flannel, cut only 2).

Note:  Make sure that the heart lines up with the lengthwise grain – this is so when we cut the fabric is will fluff properly.

From the Lame cut 2 heart shapes.

From the fleece cut a rectangle that is 13 inches tall by 30 inches wide.

Step 2 – Pin the heart

Fold the fleece in half, mark the half way point with a pin.

Stack the cut out hearts ( I like to alternate the Lame with the flannel so the Lame can’t slip against itself) and center on the pin.

Pin the heart stack into place, pin well along the edge.

Note:  You might be tempted to use 505 spray or a glue stick to hold the heart in place, but this can interfere with the fluffing process later.

Using your ruler and marking pen, draw a line at a 45 degree angle across the heart (try to do this at the longest point).  This will be your reference line for sewing the channels.

Step 3 – Sew the Channels for the Chenille.

Using your reference line as you guide, sew a straight stitch down the heart – making sure to lock your seams.  Note:  You’re sewing through a lot of layers so you will need to lengthen your stitch and possibly adjust your tension.

Using the side you your sewing foot against the seam you just sewed for reference, sew seam to form the channel.  Continue sewing the next line, using the previous line of sewing for reference. Continue until the entire heart is covered.

 If the heart layers shift a little, it’s no big deal.  Once the fabric is cut it won’t be noticeable.

Once that’s completed trim all the threads.

Step 4 – Cut the Chenille Channels

Now comes the fun part – time to cut the channels open.

Using the Chenille cutter (or scissors) cut the channels open.

Tip:  The chenille cutter should cut through the fabric just fine.  If it becomes hard or seams to be tearing the fabric more than slicing it, it’s time to rotate the blade.

Step 5 – Wash it!

Now it’s time to wash the heart to get it to fray and fluff up.  

Wash the fabric – preferably with some other laundry (like towels) to add friction and help with the fluffing.  Just be mindful if using reds that they could run.

Step 6 – Finish up the side of the pillow

Turn over one edge one inch and sew down along the edge using a zig zag stitch.  Since we’re sewing on fleece don’t worry about finishing the other side.

Step 7 – Finish up the pillow

Fold the side that is finished to the center first.  

Then fold in the other side.  There should be over lap of about 3 inches of each side.

 Make sure the pillow is 12 inches wide.

Sew the top and bottom using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Get the Free Sewing Pattern Below:

More Valentines Day Ideas:

• Valentines Day Wreath (Sweater look & free cut file)
• Rustic Heart Branch Decor (free cut file)
• Heart Tree (perfect for Tabletop or Mantle & free cut file)
• Valentines Day “Love” Sign Printable
• Valentines Day Candy Wraps and matching tray Printable
• “True Love” Printable Banner
• Heart Hair Clip DIY
• Heart Pillow (Free Pattern)
• Heart Hand warmers (upcycle project)
• How to Make a Giant Love Sign
• You Can See All of my Valentines Ideas Here.
• DIY Valentine Sharpie Mug Gift Tutorial (Free Template)