How to Make a Throw Pillow

Change or enhance the look of a room by adding throw pillows you’ve made yourself that coordinate with your color scheme. Choosing fabrics that match the décor of the room in which the pillows will be used will give your room a designer feel. Check fabric outlets or upholstery shops for heavy duty fabrics that would wear well and give you the designer look you want. Don’t forget to check the sample and end piece table for bargains. Designed by your own hand, these pillows will be unique and interesting. They are sure to make a great conversation piece.

Materials:

• 14 pillow form
• 16 ¼ x 32 ½ fabric for front of pillow
• 16 ¼ x 32 ½ fabric in contrasting pattern for back of pillow
• Thread
• Pins
• Scissors
• Rotary cutter (optional)
• Ruler
• Fabric marker
• Sewing machine
• Tassel & 32 of piping or whatever trim you would like

Sewing Instructions:

1. Using a straight edge ruler, mark a V at one end of the 32 ½ on both pieces of fabric. This will become the flap that drops over the front of the pillow. Therefore, make the V as fat or narrow as you like and consider the pattern of the fabric you want to contrast. Cut on the line, using scissors or rotary cutter.

2. Place cut fabric right sides together. Pin piping to right sides of fabric along edges of V with piping sewing tab flush with edge of fabric. Insert tassel between right sides of fabric and tip of V and pin. (Begin stitching at end opposite the V.) Stitch around all edges with a 5/8 seam. However, be sure to leave a large opening in the bottom, where you began stitching, to insert the pillow form. Since the pillow form will be stiff, the opening needs to be large enough to accommodate it.

3. Turn the fabric right side out through the opening in the bottom. Using your fabric marker and ruler, make a line straight across the fabric just below where the V ends. Next, stitch across this line. This will make the pocket for the pillow form. Insert the pillow form through the bottom opening. You may need to fold the form in half to fit it through. Pull the corners of the pillow form into each of the four inside corners and adjust to fit.

4. Pin the bottom opening closed and hand stitch in place.