| Throw pillows are one of the most common forms of | | | | you'll need. |
| home decor. They are typically available in a wide | | | | Prepare to Sew |
| variety of styles and colors and can be purchased | | | | Lay out your fabric on a flat surface. Using a ruler or |
| from most home furnishings stores. But if you want | | | | measuring tape, draw two squares that are the size |
| more than one or two accent pillows for your sofa, | | | | you ultimately want PLUS an extra 1 - 1/2 inches. |
| the cost can really start to add up. | | | | Carefully cut them out with your scissors and lay them |
| An alternative to store-bought decorative pillows is | | | | on top of each other with the outsides facing in. (You |
| making your own. Though it may seem like a | | | | are going to sew your pillow inside-out and then |
| complicated project, it's really quite simple and can be | | | | reverse it to hide the stitching.) Pin the two pieces of |
| accomplished with just a few basic sewing skills. One | | | | fabric together by inserting a pin about every 2-3 |
| of the biggest benefits to making your own pillows is | | | | inches. |
| that you can choose the exact fabric and size that | | | | Sew Your Pillow |
| you want. And surprisingly, your handmade throw | | | | Cut a long piece of thread (about 2 feet long) and |
| pillows will cost you less than the ones you might find | | | | insert it through the needle. Pull the thread through until |
| in a store. Follow the steps below and you'll have your | | | | you have two equally-long pieces of thread hanging |
| own custom accent pillow in no time! | | | | from the needle. Tie the two pieces together at the |
| Choose Color and Feel | | | | bottom so that you will be sewing with "double" thread. |
| The first thing you'll want to do is think about what | | | | (An easy way to tie a knot is to hold the two pieces |
| color and type of fabric you want to use. Look at your | | | | of thread together, wrap them around your index |
| other room decor and take into consideration the | | | | finger, roll it off with your thumb and then pull the mess |
| overall color scheme. Do you want your pillows to | | | | of thread towards the end into a knot). |
| complement what you already have or stand out as a | | | | When you begin sewing, remember to position your |
| bold accent? | | | | stitches about a half inch from the edge of the fabric. |
| Once you've decided on color(s), think about what | | | | When you reach the end of a length of thread, make |
| type of feel you want the pillows to have. Would you | | | | the smallest stitch you can and pass your needle |
| prefer a soft, cushiony pillow or one that has some | | | | through the loop before pulling the thread all the way |
| stiffness so that you can lean up against it? Also take | | | | through. Sew three sides of your pillow all the way, but |
| into account the ease of sewing. If you're a beginning | | | | only sew 2-3 inches on each end of the fourth side. |
| sewer, you might want to choose a weightier, more | | | | (You will probably need to re-thread your needle |
| closely knit fabric like cotton that's suitable for drapery. | | | | multiple times). This will leave you an opening to insert |
| Silk and some polyesters that have a "sheen" to them | | | | the pillow form or stuffing. Remove the pins. Snip off a |
| will be more difficult to sew. | | | | little of each corner of your pillowcase, being careful |
| Decide on a Size | | | | not to cut your stitches, so that the fabric won't bunch |
| Before you can buy your fabric and start sewing, you | | | | up when you turn it inside out. |
| need to determine what size your pillows will be. If you | | | | Put the pillowcase inside out through the opening on |
| already have some throw pillows in your home, | | | | the fourth side. Push out the corners to get them as |
| measure them to see how large they are and then | | | | pointy as you can. Flatten out the pillowcase and fold in |
| decide if you want your homemade ones to be bigger | | | | the edges of the opening on the fourth side so that |
| or smaller. If you will be placing your pillows on a couch | | | | they line up with the parts you've already sewn shut. |
| or chair, take into consideration the height of the back | | | | Iron the folded-in opening flat so that it will be easier to |
| and how much space you want the pillows to take up. | | | | sew closed later. |
| Buy Your Fabric and Sewing Supplies | | | | Insert your stuffing or pillow form into the pillowcase, |
| Visit a local fabric store to purchase the supplies you'll | | | | making sure to push it all the way into the corners. |
| need to make your decorative pillows. If there isn't one | | | | Thread your needle again and made a knot. To make |
| nearby, you can also find lots of fabric and supplies | | | | a hidden stitch, hold the pillow so that the opening runs |
| online. Or, you may have an existing item of clothing or | | | | lengthwise, almost like an open envelope. There will be |
| other fabric in your home that you want to recycle for | | | | a flap of fabric on the top and bottom of the opening |
| this project. | | | | created from the ironing. Make a stitch along the |
| Before you buy your fabric, you'll need to determine | | | | crease of the top flap on the far right side of the |
| how much you need. Add 1 - 1/2 inches to the pillow | | | | opening. Pull the thread all the way through and then |
| size you decided on so that you'll have room for | | | | make a similar-length stitch along the crease of the |
| sewing the pieces together. For example, if you are | | | | bottom flap on the far right side (your stitches should |
| making an 18 inch by 18 inch pillow, you should buy | | | | line up with each other across the opening). Pull your |
| enough fabric to have two squares that are at least 19 | | | | thread tight and the two sides of the opening will be |
| inches by 19 inches. Explain your project and | | | | pulled together. Start your next stitch on the top side |
| measurements to the salesperson at the fabric store | | | | just to the left of where your last stitch ended and |
| and they will be able to cut you the amount of fabric | | | | repeat the process. Eventually, you will have closed |
| you need. | | | | the entire opening. Make a final knot and cut off the |
| You'll also need to buy something to "stuff" your new | | | | remaining thread. |
| pillows. You can either use batting, which is loose | | | | You now have a brand new decorative pillow! And |
| stuffing, or a pre-made pillow form insert. Batting is | | | | now you know how to make additional ones in the |
| cheaper and can be divided up for multiple projects, | | | | future. The only downside? Don't be surprised if all |
| but pillow forms hold their shape better. You might | | | | your friends and family members ask you to make |
| want to look at any throw pillows you currently own | | | | them a few throw pillows once they see yours! |
| and see which type of stuffing they use to make your | | | | Here's how your handmade pillow compares to a |
| decision. If you decide to use a pillow form, make sure | | | | typical store-bought pillow, even if you had to buy all of |
| to buy one that is a few inches larger than the size | | | | the supplies up front: |
| pillow you'll be making. This will ensure that your pillow | | | | Fabric (per pillow) - $2.00 - $5.00 |
| ends up fluffy and not flat. | | | | Thread - $1.50 |
| If this is your first time sewing, you'll also need to buy | | | | Needles - $1.00 |
| some basic supplies. First, check around your house to | | | | Pins - $2.00 |
| see if you already have some of them. You'll need a | | | | Stuffing/Pillow Form - $4.00 - $14.00 |
| good pair of scissors, pins, a needle and thread that | | | | Total Cost of Pillow - $10.50 - $23.50 |
| matches your fabric. (If you plan to use scissors you | | | | Store-Bought Pillow - $25.00 - $50.00 |
| already own, make sure they are sharp enough to cut | | | | (If you're making multiple pillows, your costs will be |
| fabric.) You may have an old sewing kit that you got | | | | even lower because you'll be using the needles, pins |
| from a hotel which you can use, as long as you | | | | and thread over and over. |
| haven't previously used a lot of the thread in the color | | | | |