Hello all, I decided to put together a fun little holiday DIY challenge and share it with all of YOU!
I will be sharing a holiday pillow tutorial each month. That is 12 months of pillows that you can complete at home with any number of fabrics that you pick up or have on hand. We will be using items already in our workroom (including fabric) and showing you from step one to done, exactly how to complete each pillow. Some will be fancy, some with be themed, others will be crazy. The goal is to show you what you can come up with a little imagination and skills that I will teach you. There will be a combination of video, patterns and articles that will be available to make it easy for you to complete each project. Be sure to follow us on social media and YouTube so you do not miss out on any of our challenges in the future.
November-Hounds tooth pillow
Tools and materials needed:
20 x 20 pillow insert (any fill type is fine), main fabric, sash fabric, brooch, fabric stabilizer (or lightweight interfacing, if needed), sewing machine, iron, tape measure, scissors, needle and thread, fabric stapler and staples.
This suiting material and faux silk has been sitting around my workroom for a couple of presidential terms (I refuse to specify how many). I bought the hounds tooth at a second hand store, hoping to make a classic pea coat for myself with a cool hot pink colored liner. Well, that did not happen. I ended up used it first for a stylish ottoman with a tulle skirt I made a few years ago for a silent auction hosted by my local Chamber of Commerce. It was so satisfying to see my hard work result in a bidding war!
Step 1
My pillow insert was 20″ square so I cut two squares of fabric 21″ x 21″. I added the extra 1″ to each piece to allow a 1/2″ seam allowance on all sides. Since the hounds tooth fabric is rather loose weave it was difficult to cut it a perfect square due to the shifting and the fraying along the edges so I decided to add a fabric stabilizer to the back. This is used to keep the fabric more stable when you sew it together. It is similar to interfacing, which is used in clothing fabrication. The fabric stabilizer is applied to the backside of the fabric with the heat of an iron. Optional: You can also add a piece of lining to the back side of the front and back of the pillow insides for a finishing touch. This is a step that we typically do in the drapery workroom (not pictured), however it is not really necessary in DIY.
Step 2
Using the fabric you have chosen to make the two sashes, cut each piece 12″ by 26″. This extra fabric allows a 2 1/2″ overhang on each side to help you position the sash. Sewing together each piece using a 1/2″ seam allowance and forming a “tube”. Turn right side out and press with your iron to crispen up the edges before you sew it on your pillow.
Step 3
Lay the ironed sashes over the the front of the pillow and place the back side of the pillow on top. Your pillow should have the right sides together at this point. Staple along the edges with a fabric stapler or pin to secure in place so the front and back do not shift when you bring it to the sewing machine. Also make sure when you staple that you place staples close to the edge, about 1/4″. This will ensure the needle will not run over the staples and break your needle when you are sewing. Leave an opening at the bottom to either insert a zipper (not shown in this tutorial) or hand sew shut. For this size of a pillow, I recommend at least 14″.
Step 4
Turn your pillow right side out and poke your finger into each corner to make sure it is fully turned. Gather the sash fabric in the center with some heavy duty thread or twine. I placed a red brooch in the center of my pillow. You could also put a ribbon rose, holiday ornament or large bow if you prefer. Use your creativity here!
Step 5
Use the opening to insert your pillow form into the cover you have created. Use your hands to position the insert corners into the inside corners of your cover. Using your pins, fold under the raw edges of the area still open and pin closed to hold in place. Using your needle and thread hand sew this area shut. You can skip this portion if you have inserted a zipper previously. I will teach you how to insert a zipper in a more advanced class.
I will be back next month with another pillow tutorial for you. In the meantime, be sure to post your creations for me to see! Happy holidays.
Disclosure: This article contains some affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.