How to Sew a Pillow

Making pillows is a great way to add a personal touch to home décor. Store-bought pillows are expensive and often aren't the right color or size needed. With basic know-how around a sewing machine, these directions make sewing a pillow a doable project.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Cut the pillow out of the desired fabric in two equal pieces. Measure the fabric to the desired size and add an additional 2 inches to both the width and the length of the fabric. This allows a little extra for the seams.

2. Place the two pieces of fabric with right sides together. Match any patterns together. Pillows are sewn inside out so the seams don't show when the pillow is finished. Pin the fabric together evenly with pins every inch or so.

3. Set up the sewing machine. Make sure to thread the machine and put in the bobbin. Select the straight stitch on the machine.

4. Use a light pencil to mark an area about 3 inches apart on the fabric to help remember to leave an area open for stuffing the pillow later.

5. Lift the pressure foot on the sewing machine and insert the fabric at one corner about 1 inch from the edge. Backstitch several spaces to help hold the stitching in place. Sew in a straight line to the end of the pillow.

6. Turn the corner by making sure the needle is securely in the fabric, lifting the pressure foot and turning the fabric 90 degrees. Finish stitching the other three sides of the pillow, remembering to leave the opening that was marked. Be sure to backstitch at the end of the sewing to hold all of the stitching.

7. Clip the thread from the sewing machine and turn the pillow right side out.