A room without texture gives it a lifeless feel. You can add softness by placing a rug. Bring your pillow to life. You can update your sofa, chair or bed inexpensively. They bring color. They bring patterns. Fair? Doing it yourself is faster than you think. It takes an hour or two. that’s it. A design degree is not required. All you need is a sewing machine and fabric.
Important points
No industrial installation required. Keep it simple.
Tools
– tape measure
– Tailor’s chalk or pencil
– sharp scissors
– Straight pins
– Sewing machine
– Zipper foot (this is non-negotiable for zippers)
– Hand-sewing needle
– Steam iron
– Ironing board
Material
– Fabric (cotton, linen, velvet, etc. are suitable)
– Suitable thread
– The shape of the pillow
– Piping or cording (optional for a custom look)
– zipper
– Rope and tassel (optional, stylish)
Choose a style
Pillow cushions are usually divided into two groups. Some are custom made and have boxy corners. And some are casual. Relaxed styles give a softer impression. It’s easy to do. Start with a square pad, often called a knife-edge shape. This is a great place to start.
Make a simple knife-edge pillow
This is the basics. Master this before adding complexity.
- **Measure and cut. ** Take your pillow form. Measure the length and width. Add a 5/8 inch seam allowance around the perimeter. Mark the size on two pieces of fabric.
- **Pin and stitch. ** Place the two pieces right sides together. Fasten them. Sew all edges with straight stitches. Turn the cover and leave an opening large enough to insert the foam.
- **Reinforce and press. ** Backstitch at the start and end of your seams. Press the seams open with an iron.
- **Finish the edges. ** Cut the corner (be careful not to cut the seam). Turn the cover right side out.
- **Insert and close. ** Insert the pillow form. If you sew by hand with a hidden stitch in the opening of the seam, the thread will not show.
Add a pipe or rope
Do you want luxury? Piping adds definition. You can buy ready-made pipes or make your own rope. Contrast or match fabric.
Attaching the piping
Start in the middle of one side. Work on the right side of the fabric. Pin the piping to the top of the pillow. Make sure the seam allowance of the tape or tube is on the edge of the fabric. Make sure the finished cord points towards the center. Keep the seam line 5/8 inch from the edge of the fabric.
Clip into the seam allowance of the cording at corners. This will help it lie flat.
Sew
Use a zipper foot. Sew along the marked line. Do not stretch the fabric. It will pucker.
Connect Both Ends
Where the piping meets, open it up for about an inch. Trim the end of the cord so it butts against the starting end. Cut the fabric cover so that it overlaps the other end by 1/2 inch. Fold the fabric edge under by 1/4 inch. Fold the free end of the rope around the starting end. The cords should butt together. The folded fabric covers the seams. Stitch across both ends and about an inch beyond the joint. Fasten with backstitch.
Putting it together
Pin the top and bottom parts, right sides together, and place the rope between them. Sew along the existing seams using the zipper foot. Leave an opening for the foam. Backstitch the edges. Press seams open. Turn right side out. Insert the form. Sew the opening closed by hand.
Insert the zipper
Washable covers are a lifesaver. It is removable with a zipper.
Choose a size
The zipper should be about 3 inches shorter than the sides of the pillow. If your pillow is 15 inches square, use a 12 inch zipper.
Mark the seams
After attaching the piping to the top (if used), mark the space at the other end where the teeth of the zipper will go. Sew both ends of this seam and backstitch at the marked point for added strength. Leave the marked area open.
Basting and pinning
Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch. Paint the open area with the machine. Separate the fabric. Press the seams apart. Place it on the other side, closed with the zipper side down, over the painted seam. Move the tines slightly away from the rope side. Lock in place.
Zipper with seams
Use a zipper foot. Sew the other end of the zip tape. Approach the teeth and grab the bottom seam. Do the same on the other end. Fold the fabric on the cord side away from the zipper. Sew another piece of tape just above the seam near the teeth. Remove pin and applicator wire.
Final Assembly
Align the right edges of the covers. Fasten them. Sew the remaining three sides. Press the seams apart. Cut corners. Turn right side out. Open the zipper. Insert the form. Close the zipper.
Harem pillow
The style is peculiar. The ears look small.
Create a regular knife edge pillow that doesn’t require wires. Use a zipper that is 5 inches shorter than the sides of the pillow.
Tie the four corners tightly with string and turn the cover over. These create “2 inch ears”. Use a soft pillow shape. If you want to add volume, choose a shape that is slightly larger than the lid.
Add some style by attaching the tassels to the corners. Before tying the ribbons, sew the fringed ribbons to each corner seam.
Final thoughts
The basics have been covered. blade. tube. zipper. Harem. Each one changes the mood of the room.
Next? A suitable bedspread. But that’s a project for another day. Now let’s measure the fabric.
