Felt Palm Leaf Pillow DIY

I have been loving all the palm print housewares and clothing that has been popping up lately. It's such a classic print that evokes old Hollywood and Palm Springs, so it's fun to see all the modern twists on such a standard look. I was browsing online for house stuff and saw a graphic palm leaf print pillow in one of the living room scene photos, but I couldn't actually find the pillow for sale on the site. Dang it! Thankfully, it was a simple design, and I knew I could recreate it with some scissors and a few sheets of wool felt.

Supplies:
-wool felt
-white cotton for pillow
-fabric scissors
-pins and fabric glue
-pillow insert

First I cut a large, slightly askew, teardrop shape out of the felt. Then I cut notches into the sides so you could see the separation of the leaf panels that are in the paddle-shaped palm leaves. Once I had a completed leaf, I used that shape as the template to cut 3 more leaves.

I cut a 19x19" square of white cotton for the front of my pillow (the finished size is 18x18" with a 1/2" seam allowance all the way around). (Wait to cut the fabric for the backside until you decide how you'll finish the pillow.) I pinned the leaves in place, used a bit of fabric glue to secure them, and cut off any felt that was overhanging the cotton square.

Once the glue was dry, I chose a similarly-colored thread and sewed around the edge of each leaf for a more finished look.

I also made a narrow "V" shape with the stitching right down the middle of each leaf to mimic the vein of the stalk. Once the front was complete, I finished the pillow as an envelope pillow (tutorial here) and stuffed a pillow insert inside. That's it!

While you don't have to do the stitching overlay on each leaf, I think it helps the pillow look a little more finished and it's not difficult to do (just takes a bit of patience with all that stopping and turning). I like that it's a simple pattern but a little abstract and still a solid nod to the classic palm print. As you can see by the palm wallpaper in the background, I love a good pattern! Hope this palm pillow is just what you're looking for! xo. Laura

Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.