How to Sew a Pieced Pillow

Deciding between colors and prints is often the biggest struggle when shopping for a new throw pillow. But now that mixing prints is a design favorite, you no longer have to settle with just one print. This DIY pieced pillow pulls together a variety of patterns into one gorgeous pillow that is just waiting for a spot on your couch. Check out our easy-to-follow instructions below.

• 3/4 yard of fabric 1 (pillow top, piping)
• 1/3 yard of fabric 2 (pillow top)
• 1 yard of fabric 3 (pillow top and back)
• 1/4 yard of fabric 4 (pillow top)
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Acrylic rotary cutter ruler with 45-degree line
• 3 yards of 3/8-inch cording
• Polyester fiberfill 
• Finished pillow: 24×24 inches

Fabric 1: Cut two 6-7/8" squares; cut each in half diagonally for four triangles total. From remaining, cut enough 2-1/2" wide bias strips (cut diagonally across the fabric) to total 106 inches.

Fabric 2: Cut four 4-3/4"×18-1/8" rectangles.

Fabric 3: Cut four 4-3/4"×18-1/8" rectangles and one 24-1/2" square.

Fabric 4: Cut two 6-7/8" squares; cut each in half diagonally for four triangles total.

1. Align 45-degree line on acrylic ruler with a corner of a fabric 2 rectangle and trim. Repeat at opposite end to form a trapezoid. Repeat with remaining fabric 2 and fabric 3 rectangles.
2. Using 1/4" seam allowance, sew together a fabric 1 triangle, fabric 2 trapezoid, fabric 3 trapezoid, and fabric 4 triangle. Press seams in one direction. Repeat to make four blocks.
3. Join blocks in pairs. Press seams in opposite directions. Join pairs to make pillow front. Press seams in one direction. To make it easier to turn corners with piping, round each corner slightly.
4. Sew together fabric 1 bias strips to make one long strip. Fold under an inch at one end of strip, then fold in half lengthwise with wrong side inside. Insert cording next to folded edge, placing cording end 1 inch beyond fabric folded end. Using zipper foot, sew through both fabric layers right next to cording to make piping. Trim seam allowance to 1/4".
5. Aligning raw edges, baste piping around edge of pillow top; begin stitching 1-1/2" from piping's folded end. At each corner, gently ease piping into place around corner. Cut end of cording so it will fit snugly into folded opening at beginning. The ends of the cording should abut inside covering. Refold bias strip so it covers cording, lapping folded end over raw end. Finish stitching piping to pillow top.
6. Using basting line as a guide for stitching, sew together pillow top and 24-1/2" square from fabric 3, leaving an opening for turning.
7. Turn right side out, stuff with fiberfill, and hand-stitch closed.