Easy 30 Minute DIY Christmas Pillow with No Sew Velvet Trees

Do you love quick and easy projects? Today, I’m excited to share a simple and fun way to create stunning DIY Christmas pillows requiring no sewing. With just a few supplies and a little creativity, you can craft festive pillows featuring elegant velvet tree designs to elevate your holiday season instantly. Whether you’re looking for a cozy addition to your living room or a thoughtful handmade gift, this project is perfect for adding a touch of seasonal charm without the hassle!

A cozy living room features a white couch adorned with a DIY Christmas pillow showcasing fringed green tree designs. Behind it, another pillow displays the word "merry." Nearby, a small 30-minute no-sew velvet Christmas tree stands by a window with greenery outside.

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How to Make Elegant DIY Christmas Pillows


I’ve always admired the timeless elegance of Pottery Barn pillows, but their price tags? Not so much. That’s why I came up with a simple and budget-friendly way to create a stunning pillow that exudes elegance—using luxurious velvet fabric. The best part? You can make this beautiful no-sew pillow in under 30 minutes, adding a touch of festive sophistication to your home without breaking the bank.


Supplies Needed to Make a DIY Christmas Tree Pillow 

Additional Tools You’ll Need

A crafting setup includes an orange hot glue gun, a pile of green glue sticks, a pair of scissors, a ruler, and a piece of triangular cardboard on a fringed fabric background.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Christmas Tree Pillow Cover 

This simple and elegant pillow is easy and so much fun to make.

Step 1: Preparing Your Supplies 

  • Remove the pillowcases from the packaging. 
  • Use a small fine toothed comb and comb the fringe on the edges gently.
  • Iron the entire pillowcase. 
  • Cut 26 pieces of ribbon that are 3.25″ long for each tree. 
  • Cut one stem that is 3.25″ long for each tree.
A rectangular beige cloth with fringed edges lies flat on a surface. The texture is coarse, resembling burlap, and it contrasts against the light background.
Two piles of rectangular adhesive strips, one green and one beige, are neatly aligned on a white surface. The strips have a glossy texture, and each pile forms a grid-like pattern.

Step 2: Prepare a Tree Template- Paper Patterns 

  • Cut a piece of paper  6″ tall by 6″ wide.
  • Fold the paper in half. 
  • Mark the bottom of the paper at the 2″ mark. 
  • Draw a line on an angle from the 2″ mark on the bottom to the fold line at the top. 
  • Cut along the line and unfold your tree template.
A tree template of brown paper is placed on a pillowcase surface. A hand with neatly manicured nails is lightly touching the edge of the paper. a Shadows are visible on the fabric.
A brown paper tree template sits upright on a pillow cover. The paper is neatly folded with a central crease visible.

Step 3: Tracing the Center Tree Onto the Pillowcases 

  • Place a piece of cardboard inside of the pillowcase. 
  • Find the center of the front of the pillow and place a small dot. 
  • Fold your template in half and mark the length in the middle.
  • Line up the middle of the tree template with the dot in the middle of the pillow cover. 
  • Trace the tree template with a pencil.
A close-up of a textured fabric surface with a faint, traced tree template  in the center. The fabric is light brown with visible fibers and subtle variations in color.

Step 5: Tracing the Side Trees  

  • Measure from the far left side of the pillowcase to the center of the middle tree, find the middle and add a small dot.
  • Place the middle of the tree template on the dot and unfold the tree template.
  • Trace the tree lightly with a pencil.
  • Repeat these steps on the opposite side of the middle tree. 

Step 6: Simple Steps to Add Ribbon to the Trees  

  • Each tree will take 26 pieces of ribbon. 
  • Begin at the bottom and work your way up. Start with two rows of five loops, then two rows of four loops, then one row of three loops, one row of two loops, and finish with a single loop at the top.
  • Take a single piece of ribbon and fold it in half, looping it at the bottom. 
  • Add a small amount of hot glue to each end of the ribbon. 
  • Position the first ribbon loop on the right side of the tree’s base. Align the ribbon’s edge with the tree’s outline. Ensure the loop starts approximately 1/2 inch below the tree’s bottom line for accurate placement.
  • Place the second ribbon on the left side, ensuring it aligns with the tree’s edge, just as you did with the first ribbon.
Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Avoid ironing your ribbon, as the natural texture enhances the look of the tree.

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  • Place the third ribbon next to the first ribbon on the right side. Continue this process, alternating sides, until you have positioned five ribbons in this row.
  • Repeat another row of five using the same steps as above. 
A layer of green ribbon is placed on a textured beige pillow cover.
Multiple layers of green ribbon is placed on a textured beige pillow cover.
  • Next, create two rows of four loops. Begin on the right side, then move to the left, alternating sides.
  • The next row will only be three loops. Start with the one on your right side, then move to the left, and finally add that last one in the middle. 
  • Place two loops in this row side by side. 
  • Lastly, place one single loop at the top of the tree, overlapping the two ends of the ribbon. 
  • Add a single piece of ribbon of the opposite color to the middle of the bottom of the tree as your tree trunk.
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Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Keep it Symmetrical: Make sure your loops are even and symmetrical as you alternate sides for a polished appearance.

Multiple layers of green ribbon is placed on a textured beige pillow cover.
Close-up of a decorative pillow featuring a green velvet Christmas tree design.

Step 7: Adding a Tree Topper  

  • Simply hot glue your choice of tree topper to the very top of the tree
Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Get creative with your tree topper using items like tiny ornaments, bows, fabric scraps, or even a star cut from ribbon or felt.

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Repeat the steps above to complete all three trees on your Christmas pillow covers. Once finished, insert the pillow form, and you’ll have beautiful, brand-new Christmas decorations to enjoy for years. The best part? You don’t need a sewing machine, and the entire project takes 30 minutes to complete your new throw pillows. 

Yield: 2 Pillows

How to Make A DIY Christmas Pillow In Under 30 Minutes

A decorative pillow with a cream fabric background features three green ribbon trees. Each tree is made from layered ribbon strips, creating a textured, leafy appearance. The pillow adds a festive touch to the setting.

Create a festive DIY Christmas pillow in 30 minutes with no sewing required! Featuring velvet ribbon tree designs.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $40

Materials

  • Two linen pillow cover
  • 2 pillow inserts
  • 3/8" wide green velvet ribbon (2 shades of green) 10 yds. of each color will make two pillows
  • Small 1/2" gold jingle bells or pom poms
  • Paper bag to make a tree template
  • Glue sticks

Tools

  • Iron
  • Ruler
  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Pencil

Instructions

    Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Christmas Tree Pillow Cover 

    1. Preparing your supplies 
    2. Remove the pillowcases from the packaging. 
    3. Use a small fine toothed comb and comb the fringe on the edges gently.
    4. Iron the entire pillowcase. 
    5. Cut 26 pieces of ribbon that are 3.25" long for each tree. 
    6. Cut one stem that is 3.25" long for EACH TREE.
    7. Prepare a Tree Template- Paper Patterns
    8. Cut a piece of paper  6" tall by 6" wide.
    9. Fold the paper in half. 
    10. Mark the bottom of the paper at the 2" mark. 
    11. Draw a line on an angle from the 2" mark on the bottom to the fold line at the top. 
    12. Cut along the line and unfold your tree template.
    13. Tracing the Center Tree Onto the Pillowcases
    14. Place a piece of cardboard inside of the pillowcase. 
    15. Find the center of the front of the pillow and place a small dot. 
    16. Fold your template in half and mark the length in the middle.
    17. Line up the middle of the tree template with the dot in the middle of the pillow cover. 
    18. Trace the tree template with a pencil. 
    19. Tracing the Side Trees 
    20. Measure from the far left side of the pillowcase to the center of the middle tree, find the middle and add a small dot.
    21. Place the middle of the tree template on the dot and unfold the tree template.
    22. Trace the tree. 
    23. Repeat these steps on the opposite side of the middle tree.  
    24. Simple Steps to Add Ribbon to the Trees
    25. Each tree will take 26 pieces of ribbon. 
    26. Begin at the bottom and work your way up. Start with two rows of five loops, then two rows of four loops, then one row of three loops, one row of two loops, and finish with a single loop at the top.
    27. Take a single piece of ribbon and fold it in half, looping it at the bottom. 
    28. Add a small amount of hot glue to each end of the ribbon. 
    29. Position the first ribbon loop on the right side of the tree's base. Align the ribbon's edge with the tree's outline. Ensure the loop starts approximately 1/2 inch below the tree's bottom line for accurate placement.

    30. Place the second ribbon on the left side, ensuring it aligns with the tree's edge, just as you did with the first ribbon.
    31. Place the third ribbon next to the first ribbon on the right side. Continue this process, alternating sides, until you have positioned five ribbons in this row.
    32. Repeat another row of five using the same steps as above. 
    33. Next, create two rows of four loops. Begin on the right side, then move to the left, alternating sides.
    34. The next row will only be three loops. Start with the one on your right side, then move to the left, and finally add that last one in the middle. 
    35. Place two loops in this row side by side. 
    36. Lastly, place one single loop at the top of the tree, overlapping the two ends of the ribbon. 
    37. Add a single piece of ribbon of the opposite color to the middle of the bottom of the tree as your tree trunk.
    38. Adding a Tree Topper 
    39. Simply hot glue your choice of tree topper to the very top of the tree
    40. Repeat the steps above to complete all three trees on your Christmas pillow covers. Once finished, insert the pillow form, and you’ll have beautiful, brand-new Christmas decorations to enjoy for years. The best part? You don’t need a sewing machine, and the entire project takes 30 minutes to complete your new throw pillows. 

    How to Style A Christmas Throw Pillow

    Styling a Christmas throw pillow is an easy way to bring holiday charm to your home. Pair festive pillows with cozy blankets on your sofa, layer them with solid-colored cushions for contrast, or mix and match patterns like plaid, stripes, or holiday motifs. Use different sizes and textures to create a warm, inviting look, and don’t be afraid to incorporate metallics or tassels for a touch of sparkle. Whether displayed on a couch, a chair, or even a bed, Christmas throw pillows are a versatile and stylish addition to your holiday decor.

    A cozy living room features a gray herringbone-patterned couch with two decorative pillows. One pillow reads "merry & bright" and the other has green velvet ribbon tree designs. There's a wooden bookcase and a window with blinds in the background.
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    Wrapping Up

    Creating holiday pillows is a great way to add festive charm to your holiday decor! Whether using thrift store pillowcase finds or trying other creative ideas, it’s easy to bring holiday spirit into your home. With options to customize pillows in different sizes and shapes, you can craft unique, beautiful, and budget-friendly decorations. Making pillows is also an easy way to create a gorgeous gift in under 30 minutes that your friends and family will cherish. 

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    Other DIY Christmas Tutorials from WM Design House

    If you love this easy DIY Christmas pillow, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite Christmas projects:

    DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments: How to Make Christmas Magic

    How to Make Easy DIY Vintage Christmas Ornaments

    Beautiful Blue and White Christmas Decor For the Holidays

    A cozy setting with handmade Christmas pillows featuring a green tree design. Text reads "how to make a 30 minute no sew Christmas pillow" with a website link at the bottom.

    Did you make this craft?

    We would love to see what you have created, so mention us @wmdesignhouse or tag us using #wmdesignhouse so we can see your creations!

    More about me!

    Wendy

    Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.

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    One Comment

    1. This is fabulous Wendy and so easy for how good it looks. Love it

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