How to Sew the Seam on Your Decorative Pillow

Decorative pillows are a great way to add color to a room. Fabric scraps from other projects can be used or small amounts of fabric can be purchased at fabric stores. Sewing the cover for a decorative pillow is easy and can be done on a regular home sewing machine or a lightweight mini-machine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine
• Fabric
• Straight pins
• Scissors

1. Place the two halves of the cover, right sides facing and pinned together, under the sewing foot. Align the edge of the fabric with the right edge of the foot for a half-inch seam.

2. Sew a few stitches in the reverse direction, then a few stitches in the forward direction to anchor the thread.

3. Continue around the entire cover, pulling the pins out one at a time before they pass under the sewing foot. Go slowly enough to keep the seam straight.

4. Leave 3 to 4 inches open so you can turn the cover right-side out and to stuff the pillow.

5. Reverse the direction and sew a few stitches to anchor the thread again at the end seam.

6. Remove the cover from the machine, cut the thread and trim at both ends of the seam.

Tips & Warnings

• For square pillows, don't make a 90-degree turn at the corners of the cover. Make a slightly rounded corner to keep your pillows from being "dog-eared" with pointed corners.
• Make sure your sewing machine can handle the weight of the fabric you choose. A mini-machine, for example, can handle only lightweight fabrics.
• Don't let your fingers slide under the sewing foot, or they might get pierced by the needle.