How to Make a Pillow With Cording

Updating your decor doesn't have to mean running out and spending hundreds of dollars on fancy throw pillows. With just a few homemade throw pillows, you can give your bedroom, living room or family room a fresh new look for a fraction of the cost you'd spend on expensive store bought throw pillows. When planning out your throw pillow project, be sure to include a pillow with cording trim. The decorative trim will give your pillow a polished look and will add a creative touch to your room decor.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pillow form insert
• Decorative fabric
• Coordinating cording trim
• Thread
• Tailor's measuring tape
• Pins
• Rotary cutter
• Self-healing mat
• Ruler
• Sewing machine with zipper foot
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Scissors

1. Measure the length of the pillow form by placing the end of the measuring tape on the seam at one end of the pillow and measuring across to the other end, being careful not to press down on the pillow. Measure the width of the pillow in the same fashion. Add an inch to each measurement for seam allowances.

2. Measure and cut two pieces of decorative fabric to the measurements you just took. The easiest way to cut the fabric rectangles is to use your rotary cutter and self-healing mat: simply lay the fabric down on the mat, measure then cut.

3. Add the measurements for all four sides of the pillow fabric then add an inch. This measurement represents how much cording you will need to have on hand for the project.

4. Place one piece of fabric on the work surface right side up. Pin the cording all the way around edge of the fabric then baste into place. This will hold the cording in the proper position when you assemble the pillow cover.

5. Place the other piece of fabric right side down so that the right sides of the fabric pieces face each other. Pin the layers together.

6. Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine. Position the zipper foot to the right of the needle then stitch as close as possible to the cording, leaving an opening for adding the pillow form. Trim and notch the seam allowances then turn the pillow cover right side out.

7. Place the pillow form inside the cover then stitch the opening closed to finish the corded pillow.