DIY Sewing Stuffed Pillows

Stuffed pillows add comfort and decoration to your home.

If you are looking for a way to add additional comfort to an old couch or spice up the decor in your home, a stuffed throw pillow will do the job. Stuffed pillows are available at home stores in different sizes and colors. However, store-bought pillows limit you to the color, shape and size of the store's stock. Making your own pillow allows you to get the throw pillow customized to match your needs.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Fabric
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Cotton batting

Instructions

1. Measure and cut the fabric you choose for the pillows. Add 1/2 inch to your fabric measurements to account for a 1/4-inch seam all around. You need two pieces of fabric for each pillow, one for the back and one for the front, both the exact same measurement. The size and shape is up to you; however, square or rectangular pillows are easiest to work with.

2. Place the two pieces of fabric together with the wrong-side out and the right sides facing each other. Line them up so their edges are flush.

3. Secure the edges of the two pieces of fabric together using straight pins. Place the pins a 1/4 inch in from the edge of the fabric to make a 1/4-inch seam all around.

4. Sew along the edges of the pillow leaving the seam 1/4 inch in from the edge of the fabric, using a sewing machine. Leave a 2-inch, unsewn gap on one edge of the pillow to allow a place to stuff the pillow. Remove the straight pins.

5. Turn the pillow right-side out by pulling the fabric through the open gap.

6. Stuff the pillow by pushing cotton batting through the hole in the side. The amount of stuffing depends on how firm you want the pillow to be. Press the batting into the corners of the pillow to ensure it is fully stuffed. Continue to stuff it until it is as firm as you want it to be.

7. Fold the edges of the fabric over 1/4 inch along the open edges. Secure the seam using a sewing machine, sewing along the very edge of the fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose an upholstery fabric, a thicker cotton or canvas fabric.

• For added decoration, add some binding to the edge of the pillow.

References

• Apartment Therapy; The Easiest Throw Pillow You'll Ever Make; Jason Loper; November 2010