The popularity of alphabet letters as pillows or to hang on the wall as decoration seems timeless. All major fashion pattern companies, Simplicity, McCall’s, Butterick, even Vogue for example have patterns available to be able to create singular initials, proper names or entire phrases to sew as home décor.

For Valentine’s Day large puffy “X”s and “O”s make for fun throw pillows, for children their first name in colorful fabric choices is a great gift idea, for teens an oversize version of the first letter of their given names will bring a smile.

Soft pillow-like nursery wall decorations stating “ABC” and “1, 2, 3” crafted in fabrics of primary colors is classic. Soft muted fabric colors are charming for spelling out baby’s first name or the words “Love “or “Family.”

Simple-to-sew soft fabric alphabet letters

Most computer word processing programs allow for creating a single letter or number that when enlarged would print out on standard printer paper size of 8.5 x 11 and completely fill the page. Just cut out and transfer to poster board, thin cardboard or other sturdy media to use as a template. For sharp defined letter edges, freezer paper works well when ironed shiny side down on the wrong side of the fabric then lay the template letter onto it, trace around and cut out with the freezer paper still adhered to the fabric. Just be sure to flip the letter to cut out the back of the letter. Peel off the freezer paper, match the fabric cut out letter front to back right sides together and sew around all edges leaving an opening to lightly stuff with poly fiber fill. Hand stitch closed. The edges of the letter can be left raw or use pinking shears to cut close to the stitching. The letters can also be hand drawn rather than printed and edges rounded for a soft effect.

Chunky 3-D block style alphabet letters

To make a more 3-D alphabet letter a gusset is needed to add width. Cut out the front and back of the letter adding a 1/4 inch seam allowance all around all parts of the letter. Cut a long 2 and 1/2 inch wide strip long enough to go all the way around the letter and some for the insides of the letter space as well. This long strip will be used as the gusset that connects the front and back of the letter. The gusset will be sewn right sides together in a 1/4 inch seam to one letter shape and then to the other leaving an opening for turning right sides out and stuffing. This stuffed letter type is more challenging to sew, however the end result is a more squared off letter of dimensional size.

Printable Block Alphabet Templates found on Pinterest.com

How to Sew Fabric Letters Chunky 3-D block letters found on Simply Sewing Magazine

Sew happy, sew inspired.