How to Make a Pillow From a Bandana

Bandana pillows can spice up a room with inexpensive colorful accents. Create a pillow using two matching bandanas with contrasting colors or patterns. Completely change the decor of a family room, basement recreational area or den with the addition of this accessory.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 bandanas, equally sized
• Straight pins
• Matching thread
• Fiberfill
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Sewing needle

1. Remove any price tags or stickers from the bandanas. Iron the bandanas to remove any fold creases.

2. Lay the bandanas one atop the other with right sides together. Make sure the designs are turned as desired. Pin around all four sides of the square. Place the pins perpendicular to the edge with the points closest to the edge.

3. Wind the bobbin and thread the machine with matching thread. Set the stitch to 10 to 12 per inch. Start stitching at one corner leaving a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Backstitch and then continue to the next corner.

4. Drop the needle into the fabric and lift the presser foot. Turn the bandana square and prepare to sew up the second side. Repeat the backstitching and turning at the corners until three sides are sewn.

5. Sew across the fourth side about halfway across and backstitch. Clip the threads and remove all the straight pins. Iron the 1/2 inch seam allowance of the section that is not yet sewn shut. Turn the pillow right side out.

6. Stuff the pillow with the fiberfill. Place small handfuls at a time inside the pillow, pushing the stuffing into the far corner first. Continue adding small amounts until the pillow is stuffed full and very firm.

7. Thread the needle with matching thread. Use straight pins to close the open seam of the pillow. Hand sew the opening closed using a small running stitch. Backstitch a few stitches past the opening. Knot the thread and pull it gently through to the inside of the pillow. Clip the thread and remove the straight pins.

Tips & Warnings

• Start with new bandanas and iron them with a spritz of fabric protector before assembling the pillow to keep them crisp and fresh.
• When hand sewing the pillow's opening, place the pins close together to secure the closure well. Start the first stitch from the inside of the pillow to hide the knot.