How to Sew a Pillow With Lace Trim

You can add lace trim to the edges of a pillow to give it a decorative look, or to make a ring bearer, or tooth fairy pillow. Choose lace trim that has a flat, finished edge on one side, such as eyelet or gathered trim. Although the easiest way to make a pillow is to use a pillow form from the fabric store, you can fill the pillow with fiberfill stuffing if you prefer. You can also use this same technique to make a square or rectangular pillow of a different size.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2 yard fabric
• 1 3/4 yards lace trim
• Thread
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Ironing board
• 12 by 12 inch pillow form
• Hand sewing needle (optional)

1. Cut a 13-inch square of fabric. Cut four pieces of lace trim, each 15 inches long.

2. Cut the end of each piece of lace trim at about a 45 degree angle, with the narrower end on the flat finished side of the trim and the wider end on the frilly side.

3. Place two pieces of lace right sides together. Stitch them together along the short ends.

4. Repeat Step 3 until all the pieces of lace trim are sewn together, forming a square like a picture frame.

5. Place the lace trim and the fabric right sides together, so that the straight edge of the lace trim lines up with the edge of the fabric. Pin the lace trim to the fabric.

6. Sew the lace trim to the fabric using scant 1/4 inch seam allowance.

7. Cut two rectangles of fabric, each 13 inches wide by 9 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 along the fold to hold it in place.

8. Place the square of fabric with the lace and the rectangles of fabric right sides together, so that the folded edges of the rectangles overlap by about 1 inch.

9. Line up the edges of the fabric and pin the pieces together. Sew around the edges of the fabric using 1/4 inch seam allowance.

10. Turn the pillow right side out and fluff out the lace trim. Insert the pillow form through the opening in the back of the lace trimmed pillow.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a hand sewing needle to whip stitch the back of the pillow closed. This step is optional if you use a pillow form, but necessary if you fill the pillow with stuffing.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins and sewing machines.

[missanann]

on 5/6/2009 very informative! thank you!