Around this time last year we shared a balloon project that left us wanting permanent letter balloons on our chair. Since full-size balloons aren’t practical long-term, we made letter balloon pillows instead. These are a fun, quick sewing project and make great gifts for friends. If you have a free afternoon, try sewing a few of these — they’re playful, decorative, and surprisingly easy to customize.
Supplies:
- Gold spandex lame fabric (or any shiny stretch fabric)
- Paper or wax paper (for creating stencils)
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Pins
- Stuffing
Instructions:
- Create your stencil. You can freehand a letter on wax paper or print and enlarge a photo of a letter balloon to trace. Cut out the stencil.
- Fold your fabric in half with right sides together. Place the stencil on top, trace the shape, and cut through both layers so you have two matching pieces.
- Sew around the outside of the letter with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving a 4-inch opening at the bottom for turning and stuffing.
- Turn the letter right side out through the opening.
Letters with a hole in the center (like O, A, D): After turning the letter right side out, finish the inner hole by folding about 1/4 inch of fabric under around the hole, pinning, and sewing a 1/4 inch seam to close it. For a more balloon-like edge, sew a 1/4 inch topstitch around the outside of the letter, still leaving the opening for stuffing. Stuff firmly and finish the opening by folding the raw edges under and sewing the final 1/4 inch seam closed.
Solid letters (no inner hole): After turning right side out, add a 1/4 inch topstitch around the outside to mimic the look of a balloon, leaving the opening for stuffing. Fill with stuffing and finish the opening by folding the raw edges under and stitching the 1/4 inch seam closed.
Hashtag (#): This shape requires a bit more patience. Sew around the outside with a 1/2 inch seam allowance and leave a 4-inch opening. Turn it right side out and sew closed any inner squares by folding about 1/4 inch of fabric under and topstitching. To create the segmented balloon effect, divide the hashtag into sections: stuff and tack the far ends first, then work inward, stuffing and stitching each subsequent section until complete. Finish by closing the opening with a 1/4 inch seam.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
On me: Wednesday Shirt | Holographic Flats
These pillows really do capture the look of letter balloons and can be made into any word, initials, or fun symbols like the hashtag. They make eye-catching decor or thoughtful handmade gifts.
p.s. If this looks familiar, it’s similar to our New Year’s balloon project from last year.