How To Make A Pillow
Decorative throw pillows are an easy way to update your space. You can quickly change out or add new colors to your decor simply by adding a few throw pillows to your couch, chairs or bedding.
This is a quick and easy sewing project. I’m going to share with you how to make a pillow using this step-by step video tutorial. This is a two-part tutorial – in my next post, I will show you how to hand sew your pillow closed.
Be sure to check out our popular How To Make Pillows page for over 25 pillow ideas, tips & techniques.
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HOW TO MAKE A PILLOW
We are going to be making an 18″ x 18″ pillow using an 18″ x 18″ polyester filled form. (I like my pillow covers to be snug). You can make any size pillow that you would like. Your fabric yardages and pillow form size will need to be adjusted accordingly.
MATERIALS
- Fabric – The amount of fabric needed depends on the pillow size. The fabric yardage I used for this project was 3/4 yard.
- Pillow form – I really like Fairfield’s Soft Touch pillow forms. Whatever size you would like. My pillow form size is 18″ x 18″.
- Thread to match fabric
- Straight pins
- That Purple Thang tool
- Scissors
INSTRUCTIONS
**I’ve created a video that shows step-by-step how to make a pillow. The steps for fabrication are also written out below.
- Cut out 2 squares of fabric for the front and back sides of the pillow. Squares are cut the same size as the pillow form – don’t add seam allowances. Our pillow form is 18″ x 18″, so our fabric is cut at 18″ x 18″. Mark, with a pin, the bottom edges of the pillow to help keep track of them.
- (Optional step)If fabric frays easily, serge all four sides of the front and back pieces of fabric. A zig-zag stitch or pinking shears can also be used.
- Sew a long straight stitch (basting stitch) 3/8″ from the bottom edge. This will help to show where you need to fold fabric when you hand sew the pillow closed.
- Pin the front and back right sides together.
- Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, sew the two pieces of fabric together, starting 2″ in from the corner on the bottom edge. Stopping 2″ from the last corner on the bottom edge. Leaving an opening for the pillow form.
- Trim all 4 corners, at an angle, to reduce bulk. Making sure not to cut too close to the seam stitching.
- Making sure all pins have been removed, turn pillow right side out. It’s helpful to use something such as That Purple Thang to help turn the corners right side out.
- Insert pillow form. If needed – add extra polyester fiberfill to fill out corners.
- Fold fabric of bottom edges over 1/2″ (using the long basting stitch as a guide). Pin the two bottom edges together.
In the 2nd part of this tutorial about how to make a pillow, I will show you how to hand sew a pillow closed.
You Might Also Like:
How To Hand-Sew A Pillow Closed
How To Make A Pillow With Cording
Found your pillow over at the Monday Funday link party. You make it look super easy! Like your blog!
Thanks Marni! I love making pillows.
TFS!! Great tutorial. Stopping by from Sew Much Ado and your newest follower.
Thanks Alisha! I am glad you enjoyed the tutorial! I will definitely check out your blog too.
Nice tutorial and pillow !
Have a great weekend !
Anna
Found you through Diana Rambles…
Anna, thanks for checking out my tutorial!
This is a great tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing. I’m visiting from the It’s Overflowing link party.
Christy @ Creating a Beautiful Life
Thanks Christy! I’m glad you checked out the tutorial.
Great tutorial! Visiting from the Sundae Scoop Link Party! Would love to have you link this one up at the Ladies Only Blog Share link party, too! Every post is promoted across our social networks and blogging community. Stop on by! 🙂
http://mommifried.com/ladies-only-blog-share-link-party-red-white-bbq/
Thanks Chrystal! I will check out your link party!
A Great Tutorial!
Thanks so much for linking up on Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party this week. Voting has begun, if you have a moment, please do drop by and vote for your favourite link of this week. Thanks 🙂
See you again on Thursday.
x
Natalie
Marigolds’ Loft
Thanks Natalie! I voted. Thanks again for hosting.
Such a great tutorial! I love how the pillow looks so fitted – no awkward bunching like most other pillow tutorials.
Thanks Jazmin, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jann, this is a perfect tutorial and that pillow looks so cute! I most definitely need to make a few of them to put around my house! Thanks so much for sharing such a great tutorial!
Thanks Ruth, I’m glad it was helpful!
Great tutorial, Jann! Thanks so much for sharing in THAT DIY PARTY! I’ve pinned this for future reference!
Thanks Roeshel, I hope it will be helpful. Thanks again for hosting!
Neat! You’re a great teacher! Thank you so much for linking up with us at One Sharendipity Place! I’m so glad we found one another and hope you’ll be back each week to show us more! New follower!
Sue from the t2women.com
Thanks Sue! I love making pillows, and sharing them with my readers. Thanks for following!
I really need this tutorial. I’ve been on a pillow hunt, and can’t find what I like. I’ve been wanting to sew some pillows, so this is perfect! Thanks so much for the great tutorial! Have a wonderful day!
Thanks Brooke. I’m glad you will be able to use the tutorial to help you make some pillows.
What a simple and practical tutorial! Throw pillows for the sofa and bed can be so expensive!
My readers loved it- thanks for linking up and sharing it.
You can see your feature here: http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2013/07/best-mom-advice-72113/.
Crystal, thanks for featuring my pillow tutorial!
Great tutorial! I’m in desperate need of new pillows so perfect timing for me! Found you from the link party at Rain On A Tin Roof.
Thanks Elizabeth!
Great tutorial! Thanks so much for linking up with And Sew We Craft Together
http://www.andsewwecraft.com/2013/07/and-sew-we-craft-together-link-party/
Amy x
Thanks Amy!
This is an excellent tutorial on sewing a pillow – the tips are terrific! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
I love that fabric! And what a great photo pictorial! I pinned it. Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty!
I pinned this. You make it look so easy.
Thanks! It really isn’t too hard if you know some sewing basics.
Very nice and a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing at SEW licious Craft Showcase!
Marti
Sooo cute. I wanted to make one for my sister on Valentine’s day.
Thanks! I’m glad it was helpful. I wish you luck making a pillow for your sister!
I’ve been meaning to sew some pillows with some silk materials I bought from India. Would I need to put interfacing or lining on the silk before I can sew them into pillows?
Fie, I am going to be doing a blog post about this subject soon. Yes, I usually line silk with a flannel interlining. Good luck, I bet they will be beautiful when they’re done.
Thanks for the great instructions and pictures! I’ll definitely have to try this out!
What a great tutorial! I’m new to sewing, and just learning, and having these clear step by step instructions is a big help. Thank you so much!
Thanks Jeanne! I’m glad the tutorial was helpful.
Thank you for posting this- I cannot sew to save my life, but I love the idea of making pillows. Usually the tutorials involve sewing machines, which is way beyond my skill level (though I’m great at sewing buttons back onto shirts!).
I stopped by from Mix it up Monday.
Thanks Jessy! I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial!
Looking at your post as our new puppy is chewing on my husband — yep, I may need to make some pillows before long!!! Thank you so much for sharing this how-to on Inspire Me Mondays. Enjoy your week and I hope to see you again next time1
Thanks Bridget! New puppies are so fun! Though you’re right, you may need some new pillows!
Everyone loves what you guys are usually up too.
This type of clever work and reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve added you
guys to my ownn blogroll.
Really nice and complete article on making a pillow. The video is very helpful.
Thanks Kim!
Jann this is a great post. I love that you included a video tutorial. That is always more helpful. I need to make some throw pillows for our living room. I am adding in some new accent colors and don’t have a lot to spend on decor but pillows add a lot for little money. Thanks again!
Thanks Michelle! Yes, pillows will be a great way to change the look of your room inexpensively.
This is an awesome video tutorial! I would love for you to link up to the Stitch It, Blog It, Share It Link Party going on now at BehindtheSeamsSewing.com.
~Bonnie
Thanks Bonnie!
Great way to share a how to. Pillows are so expensive, especially cute ones. I am going to put this on my list of things to try. I love teaching my kids how to be frugal and resourceful.
Thanks Amy! This would be a great project to make with your kids. My grandkids love helping me make quick little pillows for them to take home. They’re getting quite a collection of pillows! They love to stuff the pillows with the poly fill!
I am trying so hard to learn how to do these basic things. This was a great tutorial as it made me feel like I can actually do it. My mom is an amazing seamstress so I have never HAD to learn. But at 40, it is time I be able to do some of these things! Thank you!
Jennifer, I’m so glad this post was helpful. Good luck with your sewing journey!
This is super-easy now with 2 tutorials! You’re so clever!!!! Thank you for contributing it to SHARE IT Sunday at http://www.FineCraftGuild.com . We have a new party today and hope to see you again today or later as the party stays open all week long. Hugs, Rose
Thanks Rose!
I had some fun with indigo dying and tried to dye several different pieces of fabrics just to see what they turned into. One of them was a piece of linen napkin that I threw in the dye bath tied with strings. It turned out a really interesting piece but was too thin fabric for a cushion/pillow, so I came up with the idea of backing it with quilting cotton and I really liked the result!
Jack, I’ll bet your fabrics turned out very interesting. Adding quilting cotton to the back of the fabric is a great idea!
Oh my gosh, Love your tutorial!!! Thanks so much – gonna try this one for sure.
Thanks Denise! I’m glad you found it helpful!
Wonderful tutorial!,thank you for sharing experience
Thanks!
Very nice and a great tutorial! Pillows are so expensive, especially cute ones. I am going to put this on my list of things to try. I love teaching my kids how to be frugal and resourceful.
Thanks Emily! Give it a try. There’s something great about finding a great fabric and making a pillow out of it. An easy way to update a room!
SO super cute! You make it look so easy.
Thanks Hailey!
I like it very much …..
thanks
Wow………this is amazing. Looking forward to making this. Thanks a lot for sharing such a tutorial.
Maithly, thanks! Good luck with your project!
Very easy and beautiful idea. I want to thank you for sharing this amazing blog.
Thanks Kaira!
It’s really helpful to me. I want to make pillows like this for my daughter, and thank you for the guidance
Lily, I’m glad the tutorial was helpful! Thanks, and good luck with your daughter’s pillows!