The Design Suite Floral Alphabet Collection is a perfect way to add personalization and charm to any project. This simple and straightforward pillow project is a great way to show off your creativity with just a few simple supplies!
Click HERE to download printable instructions with additional photos.
Supplies:
- Baby Lock Reflection or any embroidery machine with a suitable embroidery field
- Design Suite Floral Alphabet Embroidery Collection
- Cutaway Batting or Fusible Fleece
- Fabric Requirements:
- Cotton Quilting Fabric – Size will depend on the pillow size that is being constructed. Add a couple of additional inches for the hems at the pillow closure. See the “Project Preparation” section below for details on sizes used in example within the instructions and information on how to determine how much fabric is needed.
- Cotton Quilting Fabric – 1 piece of fabric large enough to be used for the applique background of the three letters.
- Pillow form of desired size
- Basic Embroidery and Sewing Supplies (scissors, thread, bobbins, needles, seam ripper, etc.)
Instructions:
Project Preparation:
Determine the finished size of the pillow. This measurement will be used to determine fabric requirements, as well as the appropriate letter size to use for the monogram.
For the pictured example, the finished pillow size is approximately 17” x 12” (including the flange). A total of three pieces of fabric were used for the pillow. The front piece measured 17 ½” x 12 ½”, allowing for ¼” seam allowance on all four sided. For the back of the pillow, two pieces of fabric were used, each measuring 13 ¼” x 12 ½”. This allows ¼” seam allowance on the three sides that match the front of the pillow and for the creation double fold hem of approximately 1”. The two panels will also overlap one another at the center back of the fabric, preventing the pillow form from being seen.
Creating the Design:
The Design Suite Floral Alphabet Embroidery Collection provides each letter in several styles and sizes. The included styles are the full color floral design and the outline floral design, both of which are available in both applique and non-applique versions. The available sizes of each letter include 4”, 6”, 8”, and 10” letters. Depending on the embroidery field size of your machine, you may be able to complete all three letters in a single hooping. If this is not an option, the selected letters may have to be stitched in individual hoopings, using alignment tools in the machine to ensure proper alignment.
In the pictured example, the left and right letter are the 4” full color floral design and the center letter is the 6” full color floral design, with all three letters being the applique version. The embroidery field on the Baby Lock Reflection is 9 ½” x 14”, which easily accommodates the selected size monogram. To create the design, the 6” center applique letter was recalled from the Design Suite USB and set to the screen. Next, using the “Add” feature, the two 4” applique letters were recalled from the USB and set to the screen. The “Move” feature was used to align the two small applique letters to the side of the center, larger letter. The “Rotate” feature was used on all three applique letters as they were brought in to move them into a vertical position, which allows for more space.
If using the fusible fleece (which was used in the sample, adhere the fleece to the back of the fabric for the front of the pillow. Find the center of the fabric panel and use this marking to hoop the fabric so that the center point of the fabric panel is aligned with the center markings on the horizontal and vertical sides of the inside hoop. If using the cut-away stabilizer in place of the fleece, layer the stabilizer and fabric, mark the center of the fabric, and hoop using the same center marks on the hoop.
Following the steps of the applique in each design, complete the stitch-out of all three letters. Once the designs are complete, remove the fabric from the hoop.
Creating the Pillow:
Begin with creating an approximate 1” hem on each of the two back fabric pieces by folding the raw edge of the fabric (use the end of the panel that is the pillow height) toward the wrong side of the fabric. Finger press or iron in place. Repeat the process once more so that you have two layers of the fabric folded over to the back. Top stitch the hem in place and press. Complete process on both back panels.
To create the pillow, place the front panel of the pillow on a flat surface so that the right side is facing up. Take the two back panel pieces and align them right-side down
Stitch around all four sides using an approximate ¼” seam allowance. Be sure to pay special attention to the place on the top and bottom of the pillow where the hems of the back panels are. These areas can be a little thick and may take a little extra effort to stitch.
Turn the pillow through the opening on the back so that all fabrics are right side facing out. To create the “flange” around the outer edge of the pillow, top-stitch approximately 1” from the edge of the pillow, all the way around.
Insert the pillow form to complete the pillow. Enjoy!
For other exciting projects like this one, visit our website at www.babylock.com.
©2025 Baby Lock USA. This project may be freely used by individuals for non-commercial purposes. Project instructions may not be sold or distributed without approval from Baby Lock. Baby Lock must be acknowledged as the source of the project instructions through copyright or online link.
