How to Make Seashell-Shaped Throw Pillows
Pillows can add the final decorative touch to beds, couches, bench seats and other areas of the home. The popularity of pillows as decorative items has caused pillow manufacturers to begin making pillows in a variety of shapes other than the traditional square shape. One beautiful shape for a pillow is a seashell. However, instead of buying a shell-shaped pillow, consider making one. The project requires very basic sewing skills that can be accomplished by even novice seamstresses. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Children's coloring book
- Tape
- Fabric
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Batting or cotton stuffing
- Sewing needle
Instructions
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Create the shell pattern for the pillow. The easiest way to create the pattern is to find an existing picture of a seashell. Some places to locate pictures are on the Internet or in children's coloring books. Simply print out a black-and-white copy of the image on a printer or photocopy one from a book . If the image is too small, enlarge it using the settings on the photocopier. Depending on the size of pillow, it may be necessary to print the pattern on multiple sheets of paper and tape them together.
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Purchase fabric for the pillow. Although any type of fabric will do, consider getting a fabric that has shells printed on it. Purchase enough to cover both sides of the pillow plus 1 additional inch for the seam allowance.
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Cut out the shell from the piece of paper using scissors. Cut the fabric into two equal pieces and lay them on top of each other.
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Attach the paper pattern to both pieces of fabric with straight pins.
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Cut the fabric into the shell pattern by carefully following the paper pattern. Use scissors. Leave 1/2 inch between the edge of the paper and where you cut.
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Remove the straight pins and paper from the fabric. Lay the fabric pieces on top of each other with the insides facing outward. Re-pin the fabric by placing straight pins 1 inch from the edge of the fabric..
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Stitch around the edge of the fabric with a sewing machine, leaving a 2-inch gap open. Leave a 3/8-inch edge between the edge of the fabric and the stitch line. Use the scissors to cut the sewing machine thread.
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Place your fingers into the open section and turn the pillow inside out so that the printed side is now visible.
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Insert batting or cotton stuffing into the fabric through the hole until the pillow reaches the desired thickness. Using a sewing needle and thread, sew the opening completely shut.
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Tips & Warnings
You may also be able to purchase a shell pattern from a fabric store rather than creating your own.
You can also hand-sew the entire pillow rather than using a sewing machine.
