I love a project that gives me a reason to dig through my fabric scraps—and fall colors might be my favorite ones to pull out.
These fall leaf pillows are an easy way to turn some of those smaller pieces into something you can actually use. Make the scattered birch leaves, arrange maple leaves into a heart like I did, or use the templates and come up with your own design.
And because no two scrap piles are alike, no two pillows have to look alike either.
What You’ll Need
- Birch Leaf PDF template or Maple Leaf PDF template
- Fabric scraps
- Fabric for the pillow front
- Batting
- Lite EZ-Steam II or another lightweight double-sided fusible web
- Coordinating thread
- Sharp scissors
- Basic sewing and quilting supplies
I used Aurifil 50 wt. #2340, a golden tan, for my quilting, but this is definitely a project where you can use what you already have.
Make Your Leaves
Print and cut out the leaf templates.
For the birch leaf pillow, I used the large birch leaf along with two of the smaller leaf shapes to make six smaller leaves.
For the maple leaf pillow, I used about 21 leaves.
Trace your leaf shapes onto the fusible web according to the manufacturer’s directions. Fuse them to the wrong side of your fabric scraps, then cut out each leaf.
Remove the paper backing and start playing with the arrangement on your pillow front.
Don’t fuse anything down until you’re happy with it!
Birch Leaf Pillow
For this one, I scattered the leaves across the pillow front as though they were falling.
The original inspiration came from a photograph of autumn leaves by photographer Chris Lawton, and I loved the movement in it. I tried to carry some of that same feeling into the quilting.
Once you like your arrangement, fuse the leaves into place.
Layer the pillow front over batting and quilt as desired. You can stitch around the leaves, add free-motion quilting around them, or keep the quilting simple and let the fabric do most of the work.
Maple Leaf Heart Pillow
For this version, arrange approximately 21 maple leaves into a heart.
This is the fun part. Move them around, change the colors, turn a few leaves in different directions and keep playing until the heart looks right to you.
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, fuse the leaves into place.
I layered my pillow front with batting and free-motion quilted hearts in different sizes across the background. I also worked the word fall into the quilting here and there.
You certainly don’t have to do the same thing. Straight-line quilting, simple meandering, or even just stitching around the leaves would work beautifully.
Finish Your Pillow
Once the quilting is finished, trim and square your pillow front.
Add your favorite pillow back. You can use my Hidden Zipper Pillow Back Tutorial, make a simple envelope back, or skip the pillow altogether and turn your finished leaf panel into a small wall hanging.
That’s it!
Two fall pillows, a few fewer scraps in the scrap bin, and plenty of room to make them completely your own.
If you make one, I’d love to see it. Tag @fourrobbins or use #fourrobbinsscrapbuster so I can find your project.
And if you’re ready for a little more seasonal sewing, you can browse all of my quilted pillow patterns here—including pumpkins, leaves, Halloween favorites and more.
I think they turned out so cute!
If you make one, I’d love to see! Post using #fourrobbinsscrapbuster on social media!
