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Pillow Making, a Beginner Sewing Project

how to make a throw pillowHere's a little project that can be put together in an hour or less. The size of the pillow is your choice. The instructions here are for a small (12") pillow. Note: You can print these instructions, the instruction photos will not print.
Cook Time1 minute
Total Time1 minute
Servings: 1 pillow

Ingredients

  • sewing machine
  • 1 - 13" x 13" pattern (optional) This can be made from printer paper, newspaper, etc.
  • 3/8 yard fabric
  • 1 pkg batting/stuffing
  • 1 spool thread & needle
  • several straight pins
  • 1 pair scissors or rotary cutter
  • iron (optional)

Instructions

  • Fold fabric in half, right sides (outside of fabric) facing together.
  • Optional: Make a 13" x 13" template/pattern out of paper, pin or weigh down on your folded fabric and cut (two pieces). Otherwise, just cut two 13" x 13" pieces of fabric.
  • With the two pillow pieces still right sides together, pin them on all four sides.
  • Sew seams on 3 full sides of the pillow with the sewing machine, 1/2" in from the edges. Partially sew the 4th side, leaving an opening large enough to fit your hand into.
  • Trim corners to an angle (a little bit, make sure you don't cut the stitches). This will keep the corners from bunching up when the fabric is turned right-side-out.
  • Reach into the pillow, grab the far end and pull it through the hole -- turning the pillow right-side-out. Push out corners by sticking a finger in them.
  • Optional but helpful: Iron the pillow flat, folding the unsewn seam edge to the inside. This will help you later when you hand-sew this last opening closed.
  • Stuff pillow with the batting. You can make it as full (firmer) or loose (softer) as you want.
  • Pin the opening closed with straight pins.
  • Hand sew the opening closed. That's it, you're done!