Use your sewing skills to create these holiday-themed pillows and you'll enjoy them each year. Or make some for gifts.

On both projects the measurements include 1/4-inch seam allowances. Do all sewing with the right sides facing together.

• 2 or 3 wool plaid fabrics for each pillow
• Machine-embroidery thread to match fabric
• Letterman letters
• Embroidery floss to match the letters
• 14-inch and 16-inch square pillow forms

Pillow diagrams

1. For the JOY pillow top, cut one 10-1/2-inch plaid center square. Cut four 2-1/2-x-12-1/2-inch border strips from another plaid. For the back, cut two 9-1/4-x-14-1/2-inch rectangles from any desired plaid.
2. Referring to the diagram, stitch one border strip to the top of the center square, allowing excess to extend from the right side.
3. Working counterclockwise, add a strip to the left side, a strip to the bottom, and a strip to the right side. Finish sewing the first strip to the last. Press all seam allowances away from the center.

1. For the NOEL pillow top, cut a 12-inch plaid center square. Cut two 8-7/8-inch squares from a second plaid; cut the 8-7/8-inch squares in half on the diagonal, creating four right-angle triangles. For the back, cut two 10-1/4-x-16-1/2-inch rectangles.
2. Referring to the diagram, stitch the long side of each triangle to the sides of the square. Press the seam allowances toward the outer edges.
3. For each pillow, use red thread and buttonhole stitches to machine-sew around the center square along the seam line. Whipstitch the letters in place with green floss.
4. Hem one long edge of each back piece. Pin the backs to the front with the hemmed edges overlapping in the center; stitch the backs to the front on all four sides.
5. Clip corners, turn right side out, and press.
6. Using red thread and buttonhole stitches, machine-sew around the outer edges of the pillow; press. Insert pillow form.