Our couch, well futon really, is pretty plain. I decided to add some interest to it by trying to make a gathered pillow.
This is not really a wonderful tutorial. I have to warn you. This is more like my adventure in sewing that happened to turn out alright. 🙂 You will notice as you read along that I was learning as I went.
Go here for a really great throw pillow tutorial.
Alright, so here we go:
1. Cut the fabric an inch wider than needed and about double the length of the finished pillow. My pillow form is 18×18 inches, so I cut a piece at 19 by about 36 inches {1 yard}.
2. Sew with a long “basting stitch” every 3 inches and then again with a straight stitch…well kind of straight. 🙂 Please be smarter than me and make guidelines in disappearing ink before you sew.
3. Pull the basting stitches out.
4. Next, cut a fabric square to the size of the pillow form plus an inch in length and width {19×19} and sewed the gathered fabric to that piece {actually… I made the whole pillow and found that it wasn’t sturdy enough so I went back and added this step}. You can just sew the basted gathered piece to the fabric and skip step 2 if you would like…except for the guideline marking tip. Make guidelines.
5. Then cut the back pieces to the pillow. I made each one about 13 inches by 19 inches. This allowed room for hemming and for overlapping. NOTE: My pillow is 18 x18 inches but it isn’t really a very full pillow. My seams were all 1/2 of an inch and even then I had to sew all the way around a second time to a finished size of about 17.5×17.5 to make it more form fitting. You may need to do the same depending on the fullness of your pillow.
6. Hem each back piece on one long side.
7. Pin pillow together and sew all the way around. Optional: serge or zig zag stitch or cut excess off with pinking shears. I cut with pinking shears.
8. Turn right side out and insert your pillow form. Then try not to let the uneven lines bug you if you didn’t follow my advice to pre-mark some guidelines!
Done!
Now I want to make one for each holiday! 🙂
very cute!
love it girl! you are awesome and this pillow looks super expensive!
~selina
They do look expensive. Man I need a sewing machine now.
So pretty!! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-gathered-fabric-throw-pillow/2010/11/08/
–Anne
This is gorgeous and such a simple way to add more elegance to a throw pillow. Thanks for sharing!
Just wanted to let you know that I featured these throw pillows today at my DIY Throw Pillow round up.
http://thecraftedsparrow.blogspot.com/2012/04/15-great-ideas-for-diy-throw-pillows.html#more
Great look and not too difficult to pull together – I love it. You should definitely consider entering this into the Craftbaby DIY Throw Pillow contest: http://www.craftbaby.com/contests/9/diy-throw-pillows-sweeps
I love the look of this pillow!!! Thanks for the tutorial!
I really like the look of this pillow. Thanks for the tut…I easily understood it.
These are beautiful! I plan to make a few now with this inspiration just as soon as I finish the quilt for my bed. 🙂
Helen
Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
I think your imperfect lines give your cushion a lot of character. It’s gorgeous?✂️
Thanks Jane!
This pillow was really fun to make. Was going to add photo but don’t see how to do it here. I made a Christmas one and it turned out super cute
I am so happy you liked the tutorial! I would love to see it, if you can direct message me on instagram? I’m @deliacreates there.