How to Sew the Opening of Your Decorative Pillow

Many beginning crafters run into problems when it comes to sewing the opening in a pillow cover closed. Although it's possible to use a sewing machine to make a narrow seam, the location of the opening may be visible. For an invisible opening, a special handsewn stitch is needed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Beeswax disk
• Scissors

1. Begin with your properly turned under and pinned opening.

2. Thread a hand needle, bringing the two ends of thread together and tying a knot so you will be sewing with two threads at once.

3. Run the thread over a beeswax disk, then run the thread between your thumb and forefinger. This will melt the beeswax into the thread fibers, strengthening them and making them stick together.

4. Hold the pillow with the opening at the top and with your right hand, insert the needle through both edges, just under the fold at the left edge of the opening. Make sure the knot is concealed between the folded edges.

5. Work to the right in even stitches, inserting the needle close to the fold on both sides and letting the thread loop over the needle each time.

6. Finish at the right side of the opening by inserting the needle in the same place as your last stitch and looping the thread over to form a knot.

7. Cut the thread and use the needle to push any loose ends inside the seam so they can't be seen.

Tips & Warnings

• Short, evenly spaced stitches close to the folds will result in an invisible seam because the thread will lie between the folds.
• If you're left-handed, start at the other side of the opening and work in the opposite direction.
• Don't pull the thread too tight or your seam will pucker.