DIY project: how to make pillows at home, step by step

If you are abia starting out or even if you’ve never sewn anything, a pillow is one of the easiest things to start with. As you know, cushions are a fundamental element in furnishings. They offer warmth, texture and a very pleasant feeling both on the sofa and in bed. So, get to work with this DIY project that will keep your home looking stylish.

There are several methods for making pillow covers. Even if they are similar, with zippers, buttons, hooks or without any type of closure. It will all depend on your level with needle and thread. We explain step by step how to make a cushion. This tutorial is for 18″ x 18″ square pillows, although you can make any size and shape pillow you want using the same system. These techniques are also valid for making sofa cushions – which must be larger – and other, smaller, decorative ones.

How to make a pillow without a zipper

This is the best option for sewing beginners. It is a simple method and for which you only need:

• Belly
• Thread to match the fabric
• Sewing scissors
• Tailor’s tape or measuring tape
• Alba table
• Ace
• Cushion padding 45 x 45 cm

Not sure

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• Step 1. Measure the fabric with the tape measure. Draw a rectangle on the fabric with chalk. Calculate a height of 51cm, 45cm for the height of the cushion plus 3cm for the seams on each side. In turn, the length must measure the same as the contour of the cushion plus 21 cm to create the seams and the closing flap (3 cm + 3 cm + 15 cm). In this case, if it measures 45 cm, it will be 90 cm plus 21 cm, for a total of 111 cm.

• Step 2. Fold the fabric on the wrong side, so as to have a flap of 25.5 cm (22.5 cm corresponds to half the size of the cushion plus 3 cm for the seam), another 45 cm and a third of 40.5 cm, 22.5 cm from the center of the cushion and 15 cm which will be used to create the flap to insert the padding and 3 cm for the hem.

• Step 3. Hem both narrow sides of the rectangle to the inside of the fabric. Therefore, over time, the material will not fall apart. Start by overthreading to make it easier or using pins.

• Step 4. Use straight stitch with your sewing machine. If you don’t have one, you can sew it by hand with backstitch or backstitch. Click and pull it out again about 3 mm. Prick again at the starting point and remove the needle by advancing another 3 mm. Continue in a straight line, always inserting the needle backwards and then pulling it out. On the back it should appear as a solid line.

• Step 5. Stretch the fabric and place the pillow on top. Pin the short end about halfway across the width of the pillow. Wrap the pillow completely and place several pins to secure the flap overlap. Remember that you need to sew on the underside of the material. So when you wrap it, the visible part will be on the inside.

• Step 6. Remove the batting and sew the top and bottom seams of the pillowcase by machine or by hand, using the same techniques explained above.

• Step 7. Remember that some fabrics shed a lot of thread, so to prevent it from coming through, you need to finish the edge. Use the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine around the entire edge of the pillow to finish it.

• Step 8. Turn the cushion inside out, iron it – if the material allows it – to position the seams and insert the filling. Voila, new pillowcase.

How to make a zippered pillow

As in the previous example, this type of preparation is for a 45cm x 45cm square cushion.

what do you need

• Belly
• Thread to match the fabric
• Zipper no greater than 45cm (same measurement as the sides of the cushion). It can be smaller. The important thing is that the pillow fits easily.
• Sewing scissors
• Tailor’s tape or measuring tape
• Alba table
• Ace
• Cushion padding 45 x 45 cm

Not sure

• Step 1. Cut two square pieces of textile material of 50 x 50 cm (45 cm of the size of the cushion and 2.5 cm on each side to work more comfortably when sewing). If the material is printed, be sure to check how the ratio will appear for a smooth and decorative result.

• Step 2. With chalk, mark the stitching lines on the underside of the fabric to make stitching easier. And put some pins to secure both pieces.

• Step 3. On one of the seam lines, sew both sides with a regular backstitch – by machine or by hand. Then open the fabrics and iron the seam open: separate the ears from the seam and iron, so that each is on one side. Place the zipper in the center of the pillow over the seam you made, so that the zipper teeth are over the seam you just made.

• Step 4. Pin it and sew a top seam by machine or hand. Turn the material over and carefully undo the stitches you made earlier with the scissors.

• Step 5. Unzip, turn the fabric again and join the rest of the stitching lines.

• Step 6. Finish the fabric with a zigzag, so that it does not wear out over time.