How to make a pillow
Making pillows is cheap and simple. Plus, it is a great way for a beginner to practice their sewing skills. If you don't know how to sew, you can try making a fringed attached pillow. Later, when you learn the basics of pillow making, you can even make an envelope pillowcase!
- How to make a pillow and Pillows Product
Method 1 Make a simple pillow
1
Choose the fabric. Almost any fabric will do, but consider the purpose of the pillow you want to make. If you are going to use it to rest at night, choose a fabric that feels good against your face. If the pillow will be decorative, choose a fabric that matches your other furniture. [1]
- Soft cotton with a high thread count works great for sleeping pillows.
- Brocade and other home decor fabrics work great for accent pillows.
2
Cut the fabric into two squares or rectangles of equal size. Add 1/2-inch (1.50-centimeter) to each side so that there is enough room for the seam. The size of the pieces depends on the size of pillow you want. If you are filling the pillow with a ready-made filling structure, cut the fabric to the same size and shape as the structure you have. With this, you will have a nice and full pillow. [2]
- If the fabric has a tendency to fray, French sew the edges or sew them in a zigzag after cutting. [3]
3
Put the two pieces of fabric together inside out. If necessary, secure three of the edges with pins and leave the other edge unfixed so that you can turn the pillow over later. [4]
4
Sew three of the edges. Use a matching thread color, a straight stitch, and a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Remove the pins and leave the fourth edge unstitched. You can do it by hand or with a sewing machine. [5]
- If you are using a sewing machine, backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam so that the stitches do not come apart. [6]
5
Flip the pillow over to the right. If the fabric you used is very thick, you may need to cut the corners first. This will help reduce the volume. After flipping the pillow, use your fingers to push the corners further so they are sharp and pointed. [7]
6
Fold the edges without working and press them. Take the open edges of the pillow and fold them 1/2-inch (1.50 centimeters) inward. Press them with a hot iron to form a crease that will serve as a guide when the pillow is ready to sew.
- If you don't have an iron, you can attach a pin to each folded edge separately. Don't join the edges because you won't be able to fill the pillow.
7
Stuff the pillow as much as you can to make it nice and full. Polyester filling is a popular and easily available pillow filling. You can buy it at fabric stores and craft stores. If you made your pillow from an existing padding structure, insert it now. [8]
- You can also open an old pillow and use the down or polyester filling instead.
- SPECIALIST ADVICE
- Lois wadeLOIS WADE
- WikiHow Craft Expert
- What filler works best for your homemade pillows? DIY guru Lois Wade tells us: "You can use pretty much anything that is soft and will hold up in a washing machine. I wouldn't recommend paper, but you can use scraps of fabric, cotton wool, polyester, wool, kapok, Thistle, factory yarn or whatever else you have on hand. I've made some very useful sofa cushions stuffed with plastic bags cut into squares. "
8
Pin the opening up and sew it together. You can do this by hand using a step stitch or a blind stitch, or you can make decorative stitching with your sewing machine. Remove the pins when you are done. [9]
- If you're sewing by hand, make a tight, small stitch. At the end, tie the thread well.
- When sewing with the machine, use a 1/8 inch (0.30 centimeter) seam allowance and a matching thread color. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
Method 2 Sew an envelope pillowcase
1
Choose the fabric. You can practically use any type of fabric you want to make a pillowcase. However, some types work better than others depending on the purpose of the pillow. For example, soft cotton with a high thread count will work best for a sleeping pillow, while brocade and home decor fabrics will work best for accent pillows. [10]
2
Cut a piece of fabric that is the same size as the pillow's filling structure. First, measure the pillow you are going to insert and then cut a piece of fabric according to that measurement. This will be the front of the sleeve. [eleven]
- The cover has to be a little smaller than the filling structure of the pillow itself. So you will have a nice and full pillow.
3
Cut two smaller pieces of fabric for the back of the pillowcase. Each piece should be the same width as the pillow, but only half the height, plus an additional 5 inches (13 centimeters). This will create an overlap and will also give you plenty of room for the hems and seams. [12]
Another alternative is to make the pieces the same width and two-thirds the height of the pillow.
- The back pieces can be the same color and design as the front or they can be different.
4
Hem one of the long edges of each of the back pieces. Flip one of the back pieces so that you are looking inside out. Fold the long top edge 1⁄2 inch (1.5 cm) down twice. Press it once more and sew as close to the folded inner edge as possible. [13]
Repeat this step with the other back piece.
5
Pin the back pieces to the front piece so that the hemmed edges overlap. First, put the front piece right side up. Then place one of the back pieces on top with the right side down, and lastly put the second back piece also with the right side down. [14]
- Make sure the raw edges of the back pieces match the raw edges of the front piece.
- Make sure the hemmed edges of the back pieces overlap along the center of the front piece.
6
Sew along all four edges. Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance and a matching thread color. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam and remove the pins as you sew. [fifteen]
Don't leave an opening to flip. You'll flip the pillowcase through the opening created by overlapping the back pieces.
7
Finish the inside of the cover if necessary. If you used thick or bulky fabric, cut the corners as close to the seams as possible. If the fabric is prone to fraying, French sew the raw edges or sew them in a zigzag.
8
Flip the pillowcase over on the right side. Part the hemmed edges at the center of the cover. Put your hands in and hold the corner cover. Then pull them through the opening. If necessary, use your fingers to push the corners further.
9
Enter the filling structure of the pillow. The back pieces of the cover will overlap on the back and thus the pillow will always stay inside. No need to add buttons, snaps or zippers!
Method 3 Making a seamless pillow
1
Get some fabric that won't fray, like fleece or flannel. Cut two pieces of fabric, one for the front of the pillow and one for the back. You can use the same color and pattern for each piece, or you can use matching ones. But make sure you use the same type of fabric!
2
Cut the fabric into two identical squares or rectangles. Each piece should be 6 inches (15 cm) longer than the width and length you want the pillow to be at the end. [16]
The fringes will be 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long. If you want a longer fringe, you have to cut a larger piece of fabric.
3
Cut a 3-inch (7.5-centimeter) square from each corner. Lay the two pieces of fabric on top of each other with the wrong side facing in. Cut a 3-inch (7.5-centimeter) square from each corner. Make sure to cut both layers of fabric. [17]
- If you cut a larger piece of fabric to make longer fringes, then cut the squares the same size that you want the fringe to be.
4
Cut a fringe on each of the four edges. Each tassel should be 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) deep and 1/4 to 1 inch (0.60 to 2.5 centimeters) wide. Again, be sure to cut both layers of fabric; otherwise the fringes will not match. [18]
5
Tie the upper tassels to the corresponding lower tassels. Tie a tight double knot or a square knot. Tie off three of the edges and only half of the fourth edge. You should not turn the cover, but fill it! [19]
6
Add the filling. A polyester fill will work best, but you can also use a structure fill. Stuff the pillow until it's nice and full, and be sure to fill in the corners.
You can buy polyester filler at a fabric or craft store.
7
Finish attaching the pillow. While tying the last tassels, insert the filling into the pillow. For added security, tie the corners with a double knot. [twenty]
Tips
- The front and back of the pillow do not need to be the same color and pattern.
- If you are using a padding structure and want to make a softer, looser pillow, cut a larger piece of fabric.
- You can buy polyester fillings and pillow fill frames at fabric and craft stores.
- Your pillow doesn't have to be square or rectangular. You can even make one in the shape of a heart!
- If you want to make an envelope pillowcase in a particular shape, you first need to make a basic pillow that is in that shape and then use it as a filling structure. Do not fill the envelope-type sleeve with polyester filler because it will come off.
- Consider the purpose of the pillow. If it's a sleeping pillow, consider that soft cotton will feel much better against your face than brocade.
- If you don't know how to sew, you can assemble the pillow with thermal transfer hem tape.
- If you are making a decorative pillow, you can use a very fancy fabric for the front and a simpler fabric for the back.
Things you will need
- Make a simple pillow
- polyester filling or filling structure
- cloth
- matching thread
- needle or sewing machine
- fabric scissors
- pins
Sew an envelope pillowcase
- filling structure
- cloth
- matching thread
- sewing machine
- fabric scissors
- pins
- griddle
Making a seamless pillow
- wool or flannel fabric
- fabric scissors
- polyester filling or filling structure