How to Make Easy to Sew Pillows

Homemade pillows are easy to sew.

Simple square throw pillows are easy to make and do not require very many materials. They provide an excellent opportunity for beginning sewers to practice basic skills. An experienced sewer can make two in less than an hour. They also provide plenty of options for customization or embellishment. Make two or three for your sofa or a few as accent pillows for your bed.

Things You'll Need

• Home decorating fabric, at least 22 x 44 inches
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Iron
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Hand sewing needle
• 22 x 22 inch pillow form or polyfil fiber

Instructions

1. Cut two pieces of fabric 22 x 22 inches square. Iron smooth and pin the pieces together, right sides together.

2. Start sewing about three-quarters of the way down the left side. Leave a 5/8 inch seam allowance. When you are 5/8 inch from the bottom, stop the machine, leaving your needle in the fabric. Raise the presser foot and pivot 90 degrees. Sew along the next two sides, pivoting at each corner. Sew a quarter of the way down the first side.

3. Use scissors to trim the seam allowance down to 1/4 inch. Round the corners. Press the seams flat. Turn the pillow right side out using the gap left along one side.

4. Fit the pillow form into your pillow cover, pinching and squeezing the foam until the form lays smoothly inside the cover. If you are using polyfil fiber, stuff the pillow cover firmly. Hand sew the opening shut.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose different colored fabrics for the front and back pieces to create a reversible accent pillow.

• If the edges of the fabric are not straight, the pillow will bubble or wrinkle.

References

• Cottage Magpie: How to Sew a Throw Pillow Cover
• All Free Crafts: How to Sew a Square Pillow