How to Make Decorative Pillow Patterns

Many people are afraid to sew because they find patterns intimidating, or because they don't want to spend money on pre-made sewing patterns.

Using basic household items to make a decorative pillow pattern is an easy and cheap way to understand how patterns work, and making a pillow is one of the easiest ways to introduce yourself to sewing. This tutorial will show you how to make free patterns for your pillow, using only what's around you in your home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brown paper bag(s)
• pencil or pen
• ruler and/or tape measure
• iron
• tape (optional)

1. The first thing you'll need is a large brown paper bag--a grocery bag is usually about the right size.

2. Cut down one of the corners, then around the bottom, to open up the bag and get the greatest surface area out of it.

3. Iron the bag flat.

4. 
   Square pattern on bag.

   Now draw your pattern on the paper. If it's a square or rectangle you're after, you can use your ruler (or yardstick) to make the shape you want.

5. 

   For a circle, you'll need to be a little more creative. A compass works for smaller circles. Another option is to use what's around you, like a the lid of a pot, tupperware container, or anything else round.

6. 

   Trace around the lid, and you've got your circle. It helps to fold the paper in half and put a line down the middle, since you'll use this to line the pattern up with the selvage edge of the fabric.

7. 
   Circle with seam allowance.

   No matter what your shape is, don't forget to add a seam allowance before cutting out your pattern. You'll need to add at least 1/2 inch all around.

8. 

   For more complex shapes, it's important to keep things symmetrical. Here, I've taken the circle above, folded it in half, and cut out a heart shape--just like in grade school.

9. 

   Unfold, and it's a heart. You could use the same technique for many other symmetrical shapes as well.

10. 
    Line parallel to fabric selvage.

    Remember, whatever the shape, you will use the center line to keep your patter parallel to the selvage edge of fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use newspaper to make patterns, but brown paper is more durable.
• For larger shapes, you can simply tape multiple pieces of paper together before drawing and cutting your pattern.
• Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Better to experiment with paper, which is cheap and plentiful, than to cut your fabric incorrectly.
• Remember the carpenter's rule: measure twice and cut once. It's important to check your finished pattern before sewing. Double check to make sure you've included the seam allowance to get the correct measurements for the finished pattern.

[eckie]

on 10/25/2009 I'm looking for patterns to make country pillows, the large sheep, a large star or flag, could you give me some ideas, names or books to find please.

thx

Erica