How to Sew a Knife Edge Pillow

A knife-edge pillow is a simple pillow with straight edges and sharp corners. This is an easy project for someone just learning to sew, but it can easily be embellished and personalized by more experienced seamstress. These instructions are for a 24-by-24 inch square pillow, but they can be easily modified to make whatever size pillow you desire. Paint, quilt or embroider the front panel before sewing or add lace or cording to dress up the basic pattern.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of 2-by-25 inch fabric, or twice the size of the pillow plus 1 inch
• Stuffing, Poly-fill, foam pillow stuffing, microbeads or a pillow-form in the desired size
• Thread to match the fabric
• Needle for hand-sewing

Instructions

1. Cut two squares of 25-by-25 inch fabric or the size of the desired pillow, plus 1 inch in each direction.

2. Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and pin in place.

3. Starting about 1/3 of the way from one corner, sew a 1/2-inch seam toward the corner. Stop the machine with the needle down 1/2-inch from the corner and turn the fabric to sew down the other side. Repeat for the other three sides and stop about one-third of the way down the fourth side, leaving an opening for turning and stuffing.

4. For sharper corners, clip the corners before turning. Remove all pins and turn the pillow right side out. If necessary, use a ballpoint pin or knitting needle to push the corners out. Be careful not to poke a hole in the fabric.

5. Fold the edges of the opening in 1/2 inch and press.

6. Insert the pillow form or stuff the pillow as desired. Using a needle and thread that matches the pillow fabric, whip-stitch the opening closed.