How to Finish a Canvas Pillow

Create a canvas pillow with basic sewing supplies.

Canvas makes for a versatile material when creating throw pillows. Canvas is sturdy, and you can spot clean it in minutes. In addition, you can decorate your finished pillow in just about any way you can imagine. Because canvas is a natural fiber, you can dye it, but you can also add paint, lace, ribbons, ruffles, glitter, fabric flowers, and even writing. With just a few basic sewing supplies, you can customize any number of pillows in different sizes over the course of a weekend, or even turn the project into a party where everyone gets to create a pillow.

Things You'll Need

• Canvas fabric
• Scissors
• Needle
• Thread
• Thimble
• Stuffing
• Embroidery thread (optional)
• Fabric dye (optional)
• Stencil
• Fabric paint
• Foam paint brush, stamps, or sponges
• Paintbrushes in different sizes
• Fabric glue
• Ribbon, beads, tassles, and embellishments of your choice
• Glitter glue
• Gel markers or other fabric markers
• 3-dimensional paint

Instructions

1. If you want to dye your canvas, add embroidery, or sew buttons or fabric flowers on your canvas, do these steps first, as adding them later can be difficult. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most dyes require that you wash your fabric after the dye has had a chance to set. If so, wash the fabric until the water runs clear. Washing also allows for any shrinkage to occur before you cut out your pillow squares.

2. Cut two pieces of canvas fabric to the same size and shape. You can choose any size you like, but 16 inches by 16 inches works well.

3. Assemble your squares with right sides facing. If you will be adding ruffles, binding, or another edge trim, sandwich your trim in between the two fabric squares, with the finished trim facing toward the inside. Pin your trim in position. Place the squares on top of each other and sew along each edge, securing the pieces together, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Leave a 4-inch opening along one of the edges. You can use any stitch you like, but a basic straight stitch works well.

4. Pull the canvas inside out so the smooth edges of the hem and any trim are on the outside and the rough edges are on the inside.

5. Stuff the pillow full of cotton stuffing from the craft store.

6. Fold the 4-inch opening closed 1/4 inch. The unfinished edge should be enclosed within the pillow. Use the same stitch, like a straight stitch, that you used in step 2 or hand sew the opening closed using a slip stitch.

7. Let the embellishing begin. Cover the outside of the pillow any way you want. Add a painted image to the center of one side of the pillow. Lay a stencil with an image you like over the front of the pillow; then fill it in using fabric paint and a foam paintbrush. You could also stencil numerous images over the entire pillow. Let dry.

8. Add paint using stamps or sponges. You can also paint designs of your choice, such as flowers, symbols, doodling, or calligraphy. Brush on huge swaths of color and add a bit of water for a water color effect. Let dry

9. Add writing to your pillow using gel pens, fabric markers, or 3-dimensional paints. Include words or symbols, giving your pillow a graffiti effect. You can also add glitter to fabric glue and paint it on your pillow in swirls or other patterns. Let dry.

10. Attach ribbon using a line of fabric glue, or glue beads in whimsical designs or randomly.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep needles aways from pets and small children.

References

• Cottage Magpie: How to Sew a Throw Pillow Cover