How to Add a Ruffle Edge on Pillows

Put contrasting ruffles on pillows for a funky style.

Ruffles give pillows a quaint, slightly old-fashioned look that fits perfectly with country decor. The beauty of making your own pillow covers with ruffled edges is that you can choose the finish. Ruffles can either perfectly match the rest of the cover, or contrast the cover in both pattern and color. Mixing and matching the patterns gives ruffled pillows a more modern, upbeat look.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

Prepare the Fabric

1. Measure both the length and width of your pillow form. Add 1 inch to both measurements. Cut two pieces of fabric to form the front and back of your pillowcase.

2. Measure around the outside edge of your pillow form and double this measurement. Decide how wide you would like the ruffle. Double that measurement and add 1 inch. Cut a long strip of fabric using these measurements.

3. Hem the short ends of the long fabric strip by turning it under 1/4 inch twice on each end. Stitch the hem into place and iron it flat. Fold the long strip in half lengthwise with the wrong sides facing each other.

4. Sew two rows of basting stitch along the open edge of the long strip. Stitch the first row at 1/4 inch and the second row at 1/2 inch from the open edge.

5. Gently pull the basting stitches to gather the material. Continue pulling and easing the fabric along the stitches until the gathered ruffle is the same length as the measurement around the outside of your pillow.

Assemble the PIllow Cover

1. Pin the ruffle to the right side of one of the fabric squares. Line up the ruffled edge with the cut edge of the square and ease the fabric around the corners. Baste the ruffle to the fabric square, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

2. Lay the other fabric square on top of the first with the right side facing inward. Both right sides of the squares should be facing each other and the ruffle is sandwiched between the two. Pin all layers into place.

3. Stitch the front and back of the pillowcase together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave an opening on one side to insert the pillow form.

4. Turn the pillow cover right side out. Insert the pillow form and close the opening by hand stitching with a whip stitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Slightly overlap the edges of the ruffle before stitching it to the body of the pillow cushion. The open edge will be hidden by the ruffles on the finished pillow cover.

• Sew a basting stitch on the sewing machine by setting your machine to the longest straight stitch setting. Use a good quality thread or it may snap as you pull the stitches to make the ruffles.