Go Batty: DIY Bat Silhouette Pillow for Halloween

This post was originally published on DIY Network’s blog Made + Remade in October 2013.

Boo! In conjunction with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, I’m bringing you a very, very spooky DIY project to entice your Halloween spirit. And by spooky, I mean very, very cute. And squishy. Hauntingly adorable?

One of my most favorite fabrics is grizzly craft fur, and this time, I chose solid black, which is the perfect material for a black bat pillow. A spooky pillow like the kind of creative DIY accent you would consider adorning your sofa with during the month of October. Or the kind of thing a child with a love for the creepy might find herself wanting to snuggle with nightly. What I’m insinuating is that ours will probably not go into holiday storage. We named him Batty — he’s family. He’ll have his own stocking come Christmas.

Keep on reading to see how to make your own “spooky” Halloween decor for your own #spookyspaces!

Brought to you by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, where ideas and inspiration come together for a Spooky & Simple Halloween.

Step 1

Begin by making a template. I found it easiest to make the template a mirror image, so that the bat would be symmetrical. Do the same by sketching half of a bat onto one sheet of paper (I used tissue paper for its transparency) and then laying a second sheet over it to draw over the lines that show through the paper.

Step 2

Trim the outlined tissue paper template, leaving a 1/4″-1/2″ seam allowance on all sides.

Step 3

Tape the template halves together, and pin the edges to the fabric. I folded the yard of fabric so that the right (furry) side of the fabric was sandwiched in the center and the wrong side was facing out. This way, I could pin and trim both sides of the pillow at once.

Step 4

Using fabric scissors, trim along the outside of the template.

Step 5

With the pins still in place, tear away the tissue paper template. If you’re making multiple pillows, remove the template carefully. Sew along the edge of the fabric, about 1/4″-1/2″ from the edge based on the seam allowance you provided with your template. Before you sew it completely, remember that you’re going to have to turn the bat inside out and stuff it. Leave 5-6″ of the edge unsewn.

Step 6

Flip the bat right (furry) side out. So cute. I melt with happiness (and fear, so scary).

Step 7

Leave your bat sans eyeballs if you want — a plain silhouette pillow is perfectly adorable and acceptable as seasonal decor. But if you want to add more detail (and scariness!), consider red button eyes.

Step 8

It’s easiest to sew on the button eyes before you stuff the bat. Use a simple needle and thread and sew on one side. Make sure the buttons are aligned. (You want a haunting bat, not a googly-eyed one.)