How to Sew a Throw Pillow With Piping
Piping is a decorative yet subtle trim that goes around the edge of throw pillows, garments or upholstery. You can buy piping in most fabric stores, near the bias tape, rick-rack and trims. Most piping comes in packages of about 2 1/2 yards, which is enough to complete most throw pillows. You may want to buy piping that matches the fabric as closely as possible, or you may want to choose a contrasting piping color to make it stand out. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- One package of piping
- 1/2 yard of fabric
- Matching thread
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- 16-by-16-inch pillow form
- Hand sewing needle (optional)
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of fabric that is 17 inches square.
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2
Place the piping face down in the middle of one edge of the fabric, so that the rounded part of the piping is against the fabric and the straight edge of the piping lines up with the edge of the fabric.
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3
Pin the piping around all the edges of the fabric. Overlap the ends of the piping slightly. Cut off the excess piping.
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4
Sew the piping to the fabric using 1/4-inch seam allowance.
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5
Cut two rectangles of fabric, each 17 inches wide by 11 inches high. Fold one long edge of each rectangle over 3/4 inch toward the wrong side, then fold it over another 3/4. Press the fold flat, then sew across the fold using matching thread.
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6
Lay the square of fabric with the piping right side up on your work surface. Place the rectangles right side down on top of it so that the folded edges overlap by about 1 inch.
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7
Line up the edges of the fabric. Pin the fabric together. Sew around the edges of the fabric using 1/4-inch seam allowance.
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8
Turn the throw pillow right side out. The piping should form a nice border around the edge.
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9
Insert the pillow form through the opening in the back of the throw pillow.
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10
Hand sew the opening of the throw pillow closed using a whip stitch (optional), or leave it open so that you can remove and wash or change the cover as needed.
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1
Tips & Warnings
It’s easier to start the piping on the side of the pillow rather than on a corner.
If you don’t have a pillow form, you can fill the pillow with fiberfill stuffing. Be sure to sew the opening in the back of the pillow closed if you use stuffing.
Use caution when working with scissors, pins and sewing machines.
