How to Remove Tags From Decorative Pillows

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Things You'll Need

  • Fabric scissors

  • Seam ripper

  • Needle

  • Thread

Remove Tags From Decorative Pillows

Throw pillows are an essential accessory for every couch. But when you've got new throw pillows, those plastic information tags that come with them are annoying, ugly and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the manufacturers don't exactly make it easy to remove these cumbersome little things, but if you want yours gone for good without ruining the comfort or attractiveness of your throw pillows, here's a few tips.

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Step 1

Ignore the warning label. While the strong language and bold, capitalized letters instructing the reader "do not remove under penalty of law" can be intimidating and cause confusion for many pillow owners, these instructions are intended for retail sellers, not those of us who purchase pillows. This is because the tag contains information about what materials were used in the manufacturing of the pillow, information which sellers legally must disclose to consumers. Rest assured, you won't get in any trouble for removing a tag from a pillow in your own home!

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Step 2

Resist the temptation to simply grab hold of the tag and pull. These tags are made of tough stuff in order to keep them from coming off accidentally, as well as being sewed securely into the hem of the pillow. This means that if you attempt to tear them out, you will quite likely tear out the threads that secure the seam of the pillow or even tear at the fabric itself, leaving a hole that's difficult or even impossible to repair.

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Step 3

Trim the tag down to the pillow. Using a pair of sharp, fabric-cutting scissors, trim the tag down as far as possible. This will work best if you can get a friend to stretch the tag and pull it away from the pillow, but there will be a little stub leftover.

Step 4

Open the seam and remove the tag. This is probably not something you want to attempt unless you are a skilled sewer or have one to help you, but it's possible to fully remove the tag, then sew the pillow closed again, leaving no trace that it was ever there. Select a thread as close as possible to the color of the pillow and secure the hem on either side of the tag with a couple of tight stitches. Then, use a seam ripper (don't attempt to use scissors or your hands) to take out the hem along the length of the tag and remove both it and the torn out threads. Then, use a slip stitch to sew the hem with the seam on the inside.

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