How to Make Bolsters Out of King-Sized Pillows

Turn a king-sized pillow into a bolster.

A bolster is a large, sausage-shaped pillow that provides support for your back or serves as a decorative accent on a bed or daybed. You can use a bolster in addition to, or instead of, a number of throw pillows. If you purchase a bolster, it will be stuffed with a specially shaped pillow form. But you can make your own bolster from a king-sized pillow without any sewing or a form.

Things You'll Need

• String
• Scissors
• Old quilt or attractive blanket
• Safety pins
• 3-inch satin ribbon, 2 yards

Instructions

1. Fold the king-sized pillow in half lengthwise. Either lay across the pillow or have someone hold it while you tie the string tightly around one end of the pillow.

2. Wrap the rest of the folded pillow tightly with the string to compress the pillow into a sausage shape. Tie the string around the other end of the pillow. Knot and cut off the excess string.

3. Cut a quilt, thick blanket or piece of quilted fabric to measure 4 feet by 5 feet. A thicker covering hides the indentations made by the wrapped string and gives your bolster a plush appearance.

4. Roll the tied pillow in the blanket or quilt. The blanket may go around the pillow twice, depending on how tightly you have tied it. Overlap the ends along the long edge and secure the edges with safety pins.

5. Tie string around the fabric at the short ends of the bolster. Tie the string close to the stuffed bolster and leave the excess fabric hanging. For a neater look, you can hem the raw edges of the blanket or quilt before you wrap the bolster.

6. Cut two 1-yard pieces of satin ribbon. Tie a ribbon in a bow around each end of the bolster, covering the string.