(Design shown is #48 "O, Come All Ye Faithful" Ornament).
Here is an example of an ornament I have sewn like a pillow.
Fabric Border:
Choose a fabric border piece (100% cotton) for your pillow. Iron all
fabric. Decide on the width you would like the border to be- for example,
3" wide. You will cut (4) 3" wide (or your chosen width) strips. 2 of
these strips will be the same width as your finished cross stitch piece.
These same 2 strips will be sewn, one on the top, and one on the bottom
of your finished cross stitch. For each, you will lay the cross stitch
piece right side up, then place the border strip right side down on top of
the stitched piece, lining up the borders. Then sew across. Turn right
side out and finger press open. Repeat for the opposite end border. (2
strips sewn on).
Next, cut 2 more strips, the same width as the others, but longer. To
judge, place strip against the full length of the piece, and add about
1/2" for sewing. Now, place this strip over the opened piece, right sides
facing, borders even. Sew the length of the entire piece, being sure that
you begin and end with the edge of the side borders. Before turning right
side out, clip off any extra of the border. Open up and finger press.
To line up the cross stitch perfectly with the
border pieces:
Place a pin on the side of the finished stitching, counting the number
of squares you want to surround the stitching. (An even number on all
sides).
Place the right side of the fabric over the finished cross stitch,
lining up the fabric border edge with the pin so that the fabric is laying
over the cross stitch. Now, turn over so that you can sew directly down
the cross stitch line of the fabric. Then open this up and finger press.
Repeat the process for other border edges, always lining up with the pin.
Finishing The Pillow:
Place the finished cross stitch piece over the fabric you would like to
use for your backing. Cut evenly. Place right sides together. Pin all
around evenly. Leave an opening at the bottom large enough for your hand
to go through, so that you may turn pillow right side out. Beginning at
bottom, sew bottom corner, up edge, across top, down side edge, and part
of the way at the bottom edge, stopping before your turning length. Turn
right side out and stuff with fiberfill. Handsew raw edges together with
very tiny stitches. Use a pin to gently pull out corners of pillow.
