How to Make a Button-Tufted Pillow

Give your pillow an extra punch with button tufting.

When you make your own pillows for your sofa or bed decor, you have the chance to express your own style and tastes through the selection of fabrics, shapes, and embellishments, rather than having to settle for someone else's commercial vision. Create a classic look for your pillows with the additional texture of button tufting. Use a fabric-covered or wooden button for a traditional look or add some whimsy with brightly colored plastic ones. The only special equipment you need is a long upholstery needle.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pillow form
• Tracing paper
• Heavy fabric, such as denim, twill or upholstery fabric
• Pins
• Scissors
• Piping trim
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• 2 large shanked buttons
• Long upholstery needle
• Heavy duty thread or embroidery floss

Instructions

1. Measure the length, width and half of the thickness of the pillow form. Draw a box on the tracing paper to match the measurements.

2. Draw a line around the previous pattern, adding 1/2 inch on all four sides.

3. Fold the fabric in half, aligning the selvage -- or uncut -- edges.

4. Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut out the two cover pieces.

5. Align the raw edges of the piping with the edge of one of the fabric pieces, with the finished trim edge toward the center of the piece. Pin and stitch them together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

6. Lay the second fabric on the first, right sides together, and pin them.

7. Stitch around three sides, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

8. Trim the seams to 1/4 inch and clip diagonally across the corners. Turn the cover right side out.

9. Fold the seam allowances on the open side into the opening and crease them with the iron.

10. Insert the pillow form and hand-stitch the fourth side to close it.

11. Thread the upholstery needle with heavy thread or floss. Tie a knot in one end.

12. Push the needle from the bottom of the pillow to the top at the center of the pillow.

13. Thread the needle through the shank of one button and back through the pillow, as close to the original stitch as possible. Pull the thread tightly to compress the form. Repeat on the bottom of the pillow with a second button.

14. Run the needle and thread back and forth through both buttons four or five times to hold them securely. Tie and clip the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the piping with ruffles or lace for a romantic look or with fringe for contemporary alternative.

• If you select a lighter weight fabric, iron fusible interfacing to both pieces to give them body.

• For a slightly different look, add four more buttons, each halfway between the center and a corner of the pillow.

References

• Sew 4 Home; Square Button-Tucked Throw Pillow; Jacqueline Smerek; February 2000
• Do It Yourself Ideas: Tufted Chair Cushion