If you want to brighten your living room with a splash of color, why not sew your own pillows?
This is an idea beginner's sewing project, because standard square pillows are so easy to make.
Free Pillow Pattern
Supplies:
fabric of your choice, sufficient to cut two squares the size that you want, plus half an inch seam allowance all around
matching thread
pillow form, polyester fiber filling or chopped foam
scissors
sewing machine
How to Sew a Square Pillow
Instructions:
Decorative pillows are the perfect way to add a personal touch to any room. However, despite their small size, these pillows can be quite expensive, especially when you buy three or four of them. Luckily, it is quite easy to learn how to make a pillow.
The first step to making a pillow is to select your fabric and trims. You will also need to select a filling for your pillow, decide what shape you want your pillow to be, and whether you want your pillow to have a removable cover.
As you select your fabric, keep in mind that many decorative pillows are made using at least two contrasting fabrics. Of course, for your first attempt at making a decorative pillow, you may only want to use one fabric. There are several important things you should keep in mind when you are choosing fabrics.
1. Knit fabrics and slippery materials are hard to work with.
2. Thin cotton fabrics do not usually make a spectacular pillow unless you are using a quilt block design.
3. Geometric prints are more difficult to work with than random designs, since you will need to match the prints up.
When you are selecting your pillow’s filling, you will need to decide whether you will be making a removable cover. If so, a pillow form is the best choice, since you certainly wouldn’t want to have to remove loose stuffing to wash the pillow and then replace it again after the pillow was clean. However, most decorative pillows are made without removable covers and can be stuffed with polyester fiber filling or chopped foam.
The easiest pillow to sew is probably a simple square pillow without any cording. To make your pillow, cut two squares of fabric that are one half inch bigger than your finished pillow measurement on each side. Place the two squares so that they are on top of each other and so that the brighter side of each square faces the other square’s brighter side. (People who work with fabric call the brighter side of a piece of fabric the right side.)
Now you are ready for the fun part. Sew around three sides of the fabric squares, using a half inch seam allowance. (A seam allowance is the measurement from the edge of the fabric to where you want the sewing machine to stitch the fabric.) On the fourth side of the squares, sew a third of the way in from each side. This leaves you with an open space in the middle of that side. Use that space to turn your pillow right side out.
Finally, you are ready to finish your pillow. Stuff it firmly and then hand stitch the opening closed. Now, you can repeat the process to make a matching pillow.
About the Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for GoosePillows. To learn more about how to make a pillow and feather pillows, visit us.
im making a pillow for a family and consumer science class
kathy – oklahoma
Jan 07, 2010 - 21:52
how do you sew a button on each side of a pillow?
Reply to kathy
nikki – la junta
Jan 17, 2010 - 14:13
hi this is nikki and i want u know that i am 13 and i want some round pillow patters for kids so i can decided for my 4=H project and if you can can you please give me some patterns.
cindy – new york
Dec 27, 2009 - 20:12
Hi,
Does anyone knows where I can find how to sew a neck roll pillow, I haven't found a patter as of yet....
Thank you
Cindy, New York
Reply to cindy
nikkki – la junta
Jan 17, 2010 - 14:15
hi my name is nikki and i am 13 years old and i have seen books on how to do thouse kind of projects but never knew how to do them my self soory
christina – oklahoma
Nov 01, 2009 - 15:21
how do you sew it closed and make it still look good without the seam showing?
Reply to christina
Zani – Vermont
Nov 08, 2009 - 21:58
The easiest way to describe closing the seam with a "seamless" finish is to put the pillow between your legs with the seam parallel to each leg. Thread a needle so you have a double strand of thread: tie loose ends together to form a knot. Insert the needle on inside of opening and thread it parallel to opening for a VERY short length. Pull the thread through: it should stop so the knot will be hidden once you do this on the other side. So, if you started on the left, move to the right side and make the same small connection on the inside of the seam. Continue all the way up until the opening is closed (do not pull hard or the seam will pucker). To tie the ends off, cut one strand of thread near the end so you have two loose strands again. Make one more loop on the opposite side of seam from where you are but only pull through ONE thread strand. You can then tie your two threads together (after removing the needle) and trim close. Ta da! Hope that helps and wasn't too confusing :-)
Reply to christina
nikki – la junta
Jan 17, 2010 - 14:18
hi my name is Nikki and i am 13 years old and i have sewed for 5 years and i forgot how to do that sorry?
tobi – nigeria
Sep 07, 2009 - 11:09
i really appreciate this,it is quite explanatory
Judy Divoky – Cleveland Ohio
Sep 06, 2009 - 18:19
Thanks so much. Am organizing a Pillows Project for disabled vets and didn't know much about pillows. You make it sound so easy.
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