Pillows are easy to make and don't cost much. Pillow making is also a great way to learn and practice basic sewing and crafting skills. So why spend money on pillows when you can make your own? Pillows with a square or rectangular shape are the easiest shapes to make. The instructions below will help you through the process of making pillows, but the more familiar you are with the process, the more you can develop your own creations, all of which are less expensive than buying a ready-made pillow.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the Fabric
Step 1. Choose the fabric you like
You can use all types of fabric, but before choosing, pay attention to the use of the pillow. If you want to use a pillow to sleep, then choose a fabric that is comfortable for your facial skin. If you want to use pillows for decoration, then choose a fabric that matches your furniture.
Step 2. Cut the fabric into two equal rectangles or triangles
A simple pillow is usually made of two pieces of cloth that are sewn together and filled with foam or cotton. The two pieces of fabric that you are going to sew must be larger than the size of the pillow you want.
- Move the ends of the fabric by an inch or 3.75 centimeters on each side of the fabric. The excess of this fabric will later be sewn with thread.
- If your fabric is frayed or stringy, sew the edges of the fabric in a zigzag pattern.
Method 2 of 3: Sew the Pillow
Step 1. Measure the edges of your fabric and the required length of thread
Make sure the length of thread you are using is sufficient so that it will not run out in the middle of the sewing process.
Step 2. Join the two pieces of fabric that you have cut with the inside on the outside
After sewing, turn the pillow fabric over and make sure the outer fabric is outside.
Step 3. Sew the three sides of the pillow
You can sew it by hand or a sewing machine. It is recommended to sew with the slip stitch technique. Don't forget to leave half an inch of excess fabric.
Step 4. Turn the pillow so that the inside is outside
Once the outside of the fabric is outside, shape the pillow into a pocket so that it can be filled with cotton or foam.
Step 5. Iron your pillow
It will be very difficult to remove wrinkles or creases on the pillow if the pillow has been filled with cotton or foam, so iron your pillow before filling it with cotton or foam.
Step 6. Trim the sides of the pillow to fill the cotton or foam
Fold the fabric half an inch inward and iron. Now the pillow is ready to be filled.
Method 3 of 3: Fill and Close
Step 1. Fill your pillow
Insert pillow stuffing such as cotton and foam through the sides of the pillow that are open or that you haven't sewn. Make sure the pillow is filled evenly throughout. Fill until your pillow is full and make sure there are no loose or unfilled parts. Use cotton to fill the inside of the pillow, otherwise you can also use fluff or patchwork.
Step 2. Sew the open side of the pillow with the som stitch
The trick is to thread the needle from one side to the other as you sew the thread on the outside of the excess fabric.
You can also use a hidden stitch technique where the thread will not be visible from the outside so the stitches will look neater
Tips
- Don't overfill the pillow. By overfilling, the pillow will become too dense or unable to be closed with stitches – worse, the pillow filling will come out when pressed or worn.
- You can buy cotton or other synthetic materials for filling pillows at fabric or craft stores.
