Easy DIY Snowman Craft Idea using Fabric Scraps

Refresh your winter decor by following this step-by-step tutorial so you can make my easy DIY snowman craft idea using fabric scraps or purchased fabric.

I’ve provided instructions for a no-sew and a sewing version so any crafter can make this cute snowman pillow.

You can raid your fabric craft stash and/or recycle fabric like I did using a scrap of orange fabric, denim cut from thrift store jeans, and a scrap cut from a used painter’s drop cloth. 

I like it when I can think of a simple craft idea that can be put together fairly quickly. I can definitely call this an easy winter craft idea, considering I made half of this little fabric pillow while watching television!

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EASY DIY SNOWMAN CRAFT IDEA USING FABRIC SCRAPS

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• fabric scraps
  • denim
  • painter’s drop cloth
  • orange patterned fabric
• Poly-fil polyester fiber fill
• household round objects
• sewing machine
• fabric glue
• glue gun (for no-sew version)
• brown buttons
• embroidery or sewing thread
• fabric scissors
• sponge brush
• pencil
• iron

NO FABRIC SCRAPS ON HAND? Walmart is a good source for purchasing fabric. They sell fat quarters, 2-yard packs, and yardage from bolts. The drop cloth fabric can be found in the painting aisle. A second fabric source is Hobby Lobby.

Before we start with the tutorial, it’s time for the “Do it Over Designers.” We’re a creative group of bloggers sharing our decor makeovers, or recycled/upcycled transformation projects. You’ll find the links to their projects at the end of my post. Be sure to visit each one! Our host is Ann from The Apple Street Cottage.

HOW TO MAKE A FABRIC SNOWMAN USING A SEWING MACHINE

STEP 1 – TRACE AND CUT OUT THE CIRCLES

Determine the desired size of your winter snowman pillow and find three circular household objects to trace onto your fabrics. I used a quiche dish for my large circle and a couple of different kitchen bowls to trace onto the smaller fabric scraps. My largest circle is about 10 inches.

Cut 3/8 of an inch from the traced circle when cutting out the largest fabric circle. This will be the seam allowance when you sew the pillow together. The two smaller circles are to be cut on the marked lines.

STEP 2 – FRAY THE DENIM FABRIC AND DROP CLOTH EDGES

Fray the edges of the two smallest circles. Fold the circle in half and use your fingernail to scratch at the cut edges. You’ll end up with a curvy look along the edges. This look will add a little dimension to your snowman face.

STEP 3 – JOIN THE TOP LAYERS WITH TOPSTITCHING

Top stitch the drop cloth layer to the second denim layer. Use a darker shade of thread compared to the drop cloth color.

STEP 4 – SEW ON THE BUTTON EYES AND MOUTH

Practice the placement of buttons until you get your favorite look. Use a pencil to mark underneath each button so you know where to add them. 

Sew on brown buttons using embroidery thread or sewing thread. I used DMC embroidery floss, which can be found in the cross stitch aisle in craft stores. Variety button packs can be found on Amazon or at Hobby Lobby. 

STEP 5 – MAKE A SNOWMAN CARROT NOSE

Draw a carrot shape on the orange fabric and cut it out inside the marked lines. It took me three tries to get a carrot nose I liked the looks of and that was in proportion to the snowman’s face. Don’t make the carrot look perfect. Use fabric glue to add the nose to the snowman’s face.

STEP 6 – PREP THE LARGEST CIRCLE (OPTIONAL)

I added fusible interfacing to the back side of each large circle to give a little stability to the weight of the denim fabric. This step is completely optional.

STEP 7 – SEW THE PILLOW TOGETHER

Place the large circles right sides together and pin along the fabric circle. Sew them together using a 3/8-inch seam allowance, leaving a 4 to 5-inch opening.

Use scissors to notch the seam allowance to reduce the seam bulk and give a smoother round form after turning the pillow.

Turn the pillow inside out and press out the sewn seam with an iron. Press the opening inwards 3/8 of an inch on each layer.

STEP 8 – STUFF AND COMPLETE THE SNOWMAN PILLOW

After turning the pillow inside out, begin stuffing the snowman with Poly-fill fiber fill. Loosen the stuffing by constantly pulling it apart before inserting it in the pillow pocket. You don’t want your pillow to look lumpy.

Use your hand and a long object like a pencil to push and place the stuffing. Once the stuffing is completed, use a ladder stitch to close the opening.

EASY NO-SEW METHOD FOR MAKING A STUFFED SNOWMAN

TRACE, CUT, AND FRAY THE CIRCLES – Follow the first two steps as seen in the sewn version: trace and cut out the circles and fray the edges of the circles. No-sew addition – you’ll also be fraying the largest circle.

GLUE LAYERS TOGETHER – Use fabric glue or hot glue to join the two smallest circle layers.

• Run a bead of hot glue following the curve of the circle, pressing and smoothing down along the way.
• OR use a sponge brush and fabric glue to “paint” glue onto the entire back side of the drop cloth layer. Allow time to dry before adding buttons.

ATTACH THE BROWN BUTTONS – Follow step 4 from the sewing version for extra details. You can also use hot glue to add the snowman’s eyes and mouth.

MAKE A CARROT NOSE – Follow step 5 from the sewing version.

GLUE THE REMAINING LAYERS TOGETHER – By now, you should have frayed all three fabric layers and attached the carrot nose and buttons. Apply a bead of hot glue next to the frayed edges to join the pillow. Leave a 5-inch opening for stuffing the snowman craft pillow. Work in sections instead of trying to apply the glue all at once.

STUFF AND COMPLETE THE SNOWMAN PILLOW – Begin stuffing the snowman with Poly-fill fiber fill. Loosen the stuffing by constantly pulling it apart before inserting it in the pillow pocket. You don’t want your pillow to look lumpy. Run small sections of hot glue to close the opening. Be careful not to burn your fingers while closing the opening.

How do you think my snowman craft idea turned out? I like how the final look of my snowman pillow has a quirky rustic or primitive vibe. Just what I was hoping for!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE THESE SNOW CRAFTS:

FRUGAL WAYS TO DECORATE YOUR HOME FOR WINTER

DIY WOODEN SNOWMAN SIGN

BELOW, SEE DECOR AND CRAFT PROJECTS FROM 11 MORE BLOGGERS!

Modern on Monticello

Pandora’s Box

Purple Hues & Me

Southern Sunflowers (that’s me)

Unique Creations by Anita

Sum of Their Stories

Birdz of a Feather

Tea and Forget-Me-Nots

Vintage Style Gal

The Apple Street Cottage

Exquisitely Unremarkable

Little Vintage Cottage

Sharing my snowman craft idea at these fabulous blogs!