How to Make a Monogrammed Button Pillow

Collect dozens of buttons to create a monogrammed pillow.

If you want to turn your bedroom into a truly feminine boudoir, cover your bed with piles of pillows. Boudoir pillows are known for being lacy, frilly and elaborate with over-the-top decorations. One such pillow is the monogrammed button pillow. This personalized decor item has an oversize, single initial made entirely of buttons in one color that covers the front surface.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton, satin or other fabric
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Buttons
• Needle
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• 12-inch square pillow form

Instructions

1. Cut two squares from the pillow fabric that measure 13 1/2 inches across. Use cotton, satin or any other lightweight fabric that matches your bedroom decor.

2. Draw a large initial in the middle of one of the squares. Draw a cursive letter freehand or trace a letter from a coloring book, poster or computer screen. Choose a letter with some thickness in part of the shape instead of a uniform line throughout.

3. Thread a needle with sewing thread that matches the pillow fabric. Sew buttons onto the front of the pillow square to cover the monogrammed tracing. Use many buttons in one color, but vary the size and shape.

4. Lay the square with the buttons on the work surface in front of you with the button side facing up. Place the other fabric square on top of it, with the right side facing down. Pin around the outside edges of the two squares.

5. Sew three of the edges together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. This will create a pillowcase.

6. Turn the pillowcase right-side out so that the buttons are on the outside. Stuff the pillow form into the pillowcase, pushing the corners of the form into it firmly.

7. Fold the raw edges of the open side in and pin this edge shut. Stitch the edge closed by sewing close to the folded raw edges, encasing the folds.

Tips & Warnings

• Search thrift shops and yard sales for cans and jars of old buttons for this project.