Easy Holiday Touches
  
 
 
 
Tie-On Pillow Covers
You need: assorted organdy, silk or brocade fabrics; assorted ribbons and trims; sewing supplies; costume jewelry pins.

Pillow cover 1: Cut a piece of fabric that will fit in center of pillow, adding 1" all around for hems. Sew 1/2" double hem along each edge. Sew trims along edges as desired. Cut lengths of ribbon to fit along two edges of square with extra to tie in back of pillow. Sew ribbon pieces on wrong side along opposite edges of center piece. Position center piece on pillow and tie ribbons together on back.

Pillow cover 2: Cut two squares to fit in center of pillow. Hem both and sew trim to front piece. Cut eight lengths, each 2" x 10", for ties. Fold 1/2" to wrong side along each edge of ties and press. With wrong sides together, fold ties in half lengthwise and sew closed. Sew one tie in each corner of each square. Position pillow between squares and tie squares together.
 

Pillow cover 3 and 5: Wrap folded length of fabric around pillow and knot in back. Tuck ends of fabric into knot. Position jewelry pin on fabric wrap, cinching as desired.

Pillow cover 4: Cut one piece of fabric to fit around pillow, adding 1/2" all around. With right sides together, fold in half crosswise and sew ends together to make a loop that fits around pillow. Fold 1/2" to wrong side along remaining edges and topstitch. Slip on pillow.

--Designed by Luba Kierkosz
 

Stenciled Paper Candle Jackets
You need: pillar candles in glass hurricane-style holders; heavy-weight paper; scissors; hole punch; spray adhesive; leaf stencils; stencil brushes; acrylic paints in desired colors; fine paintbrushes; glue; rhinestone jewels and glass charms; twine.

Stenciling: Cut a strip of paper to fit around glass candle holders. Punch holes along short ends. Spray wrong side of stencils with spray adhesive. Position stencils on paper. Using small amount of paint, stencil leaf designs on paper as desired. Remove stencil and let dry. Using fine paintbrush, add details. Glue on jewels and charms. Lace twine through holes and position paper around candle holder. Tie ends of twine together to secure paper in place.

--Designed by Abby Damrauer