Simple-Sew Pillows
Dress up any room with creative pillows that are easy to make.
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Give pillows three-dimensional accents with pleated edges and cute ruffles.
To turn a colorful scarf into a fun accent pillow, add fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the scarf. For the pillow back, cut a piece of fabric the same size as the scarf, adding 1 inch to the width. Cut the back piece in half widthwise. Stitch a long edge on each half under 1/2 inch. Place the back halves on a work surface right side up with the hemmed edges touching. Layer the scarf on top with the right side down. Stitch the pieces together around the outside edges to make a pillow cover with a hemmed opening in the back. Turn cover right side out and insert pillow form through opening in back. To add a flange, topstitch 2-1/2 inches from the outer edges.
Fashion one purchased blanket into two dotty wool pillows for a playful accent to your home decor.
Any child would be all smiles with this delightful pillow. It goes together quickly because it starts with a preprinted alphabet fabric panel.
Make a pillow reminiscent of one at Grandma's house. Cut a 9-inch square pillow top and cover it with colorful little fabric yo-yos.
Tweed, a fashion mainstay, is perfect for pairing with fun fringes. This square pink tweed pillow sports feminine looped fringe embellished with round pearllike dangles.
Surprisingly small, this pillow packs a punch. Make several in complementing colors to toss on a couch.
Elevate a simple pillow to extravagant by splurging on the trim. A flat braid with knotted tassels is topstitched to the edges of the pillow for a stunning effect.
For an unexpected touch of masculinity, securely cinch a leather belt around a tassel-trimmed linen sleeve surrounding a silk pinstripe pillow. Shorten the belt by carefully trimming off the excess with a crafts knife; add holes with a leather punch.
Add pretty little flowers to a plain pillow by using the quilter's yo-yo technique. Stitch around small fabric circles. Pull the thread end to gather the circles into poufs. Use pearl cotton and a stem stitch to make the stems and leaves; attach the poufs for blossoms. Sew a button to each blossom center.
Use a die-cutting tool and dies to cut multiple circles of felt, or trace different household objects to make your own circle patterns. Open a seam on the pillow and remove the stuffing. Lay out the circles in desired design on the pillow cover front; tack them in place with pins. Stitch the stacked circles to the pillow cover with yarn. Restuff the embellished pillow cover and repair the seam.
Slip a fabric band over a plain pillow to create a new look. Cut a length of fabric long enough to go around the pillow, plus 1 inch for seam allowances. Finish long edges by turning them under twice. Press, then sew the folded edges. Fold the fabric in half with right sides together; stitch the short ends together to make a fabric band. Turn right side out, and slip the fabric band over the pillow.
Make a pair of pretty plaid pillows by weaving strips of your favorite fabrics.
A quick stitch-and-flip method brings together narrow fabric strips to create the striped centers on these stylish pillows. Choose your favorite pair of prints or solids to surround the center and you've got a custom-look pillow in no time.
Save your trim scraps and other fun findings to use as bands or fringe on playful silk pillows.
The designs on these tulip-bedecked pillows are made of chenille or novelty-fiber yarn that's held in place with a machine zigzag or blind-hem stitch. The technique, called couching, is effortless when you follow our step-by-step instructions.
Four triangles make a merry square pillow! Three bright prints form the hourglass block pillow top. Complete the pillow with a covered button center and piped edging.
Machine-appliqued circles, simple strips, and rectangles make these bright pillows a snap from start to finish.
Give a stand pillow form a fresh look by sewing an easy slipcover. Allowing enough fabric for an overlap, sew two sides of the fabric together, folding under the raw edges at the overlap. Slip the cover over the pillow; close the opening with three covered buttons fitted with coordinating fabric.
Custom pillows don't get more affordable than this. The floral design pillow is two place mats stitched together around a pillow form. The large pillow is simply two linen napkins embellished with trim and then sewn together around the form.
Make a sophisticated style statement on a budget with these classy accent pillows.
Fabric designer Amy Butler shares her secret to making these amazing pillows in her bold fabrics.
