How to Sew a Decorative Pillow With Trim

Making a decorative pillow is relatively simple. Adding trim, though, heightens the difficulty. With this guide, you will be able to successfully make a your own decorative pillow with trim.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 pieces of fabric cut to the same size.
• Decorative Trim
• Measuring Tape
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Polyester Fiber Fill

1. 
   Brocade Fabric

   Choose a fabric that best suits the expression and style of the room your pillow is going to accent.
   
   Materials like velvet, brocade, suede, silk, satin, and upholstery are popular designer fabrics for decorative pillows.

2. 

   Cut fabric to the specific size of pillow you wish to make, but keep in mind you will need a 1" seam allowance. For example, if you cut your material 17"x17" you will end up with a 16"x16" pillow.

3. 
   Fringe Trm

   Next measure out your trim. Lay out front panel of pillow right side up. Using your measuring tape or trim, measure around the circumference of the panel. Add three inches and cut trim.

4. 
   Pinned Trim

   Starting in the center, lay trim with edge facing away from you around the material and pin in place. Allow trim to over lap for about an inch where the two ends meet.
   
   If you are making square pillow, be sure to pinch trim together with your fingers and flatten at the corner before going on to the next side of the panel.

5. 

   Using a sewing machine, stitch around panel at a 1/2" seam using a straight stitch.

6. Now that your trim has been stitched in place and pins removed, lay both pillow panels right sides together one on top of the other.
   
   Pin together to hold fabric from slipping.
   
   Flip pillow so the front panel is facing the sewing machine. Follow previous stitches to sew around panels. (or stitch at a 1" seam if preferred). Leave a 3 inch gap at bottom.

7. Reach into opening at bottom of pillow and pull right side out.

8. 
   Stuffing Pillow

   Using polyester fiber fill, stuff pillow to desired plumpness.

9. 

   Stitch opening closed at bottom of pillow.

10. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Enjoy your decorative pillow with trim! Soon all your friends will be wanting you to make them one.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing trim be sure to buy a little extra to ensure you don't end up short an inch or two when completing a project.
• Use finger tip if necessary to push out corners of pillow when turning right side out.
• When stitching opening closed at bottom of pillow make sure you fold material back in towards itself.
• This article assumes you have knowledge on the functioning and use of a sewing machine.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 3/30/2009 Thanks for the well written and easy to follow steps. I put this in my favorites and 5*