How to Do a Final Stitch in Decorative Pillow Making
Your handmade decorative pillow is machine stitched on three sides and across half of the fourth side. The fabric is turned so the right sides are facing out. Stuffing fills the inside of the pillow to make it fluffy. Now it's time to hand sew the final stitch.
Things You'll Need
- Straight pins
- Needle
- Thread that matches the fabric
- Scissors
- Tape measure
Instructions
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Seam Preparation
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1
Cut a piece of thread that is twice the length of the opening, and then add 8 to 12 inches more thread. You will double the thread on the needle to make the seam stronger.
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2
Fold the rough edges of the material inside of the pillow so the right sides of the folded material are facing each other. Make sure your have folded down a seam the same size as the other part that is machine stitched.
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3
Bring the folded edges of the seam together and pin the opening shut with straight pins on the outside of the pillow. The top of the pin will sit just above the edge of the folded material and will be placed in a vertical position or at a diagonal angle.
Do the Final Stitching
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4
Put the thread through the eye of the needle, and pull the thread until the ends meet. Tie a knot in the end of the thread.
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5
Hide the knot inside of the pillow by putting the needle upward through the inside edge of the material underneath and through the machine stitched seam. Pull the needle and thread through and make sure the knotted end of the thread is tucked inside the pillow.
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6
Push the needle point upwards on the seam edge of the fabric coming from behind the front piece of material and just slightly down inside the pillow's folded edge. Bring the needle and thread through the very top outer edge of the front piece of material while sewing through only a few strands of material so the stitch is not noticeable.
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7
Pick up a few strands of material on the top edge of the fold on the back piece of the pillow. Poke the needle in the fold of the top edge and back out of the top edge fold with your needle and thread feeding in a slight upward diagonal position.
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8
Repeat the process going from the front piece of the pillow to the back piece of the pillow. Keep the small neat stitches on the edges of the folds and barely inside of the pillow's fold.
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9
Continue making stitches until you reach the end of the seam.
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10
Clip the thread leaving enough length to tie a knot that blends into the seam. Cut the end of the thread as short as possible so it isn't visible.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Don't pull the thread too tight as you are stitching or it will pucker the material. Keep the material tight to the left and right of the stitch you are working on.
