DIY Throw Pillows + How To Add Trims To Throw Pillows
Get ready to spruce up your home decor! I am sharing how easy it is to make your own throw pillows. This is an easy sewing project and a great beginner sewing project. Are you ready to learn how to sew throw pillows? I am so excited spring if finally here! I can open my windows and shout March is National Craft Month! Of course, I have been sewing and crafting all month to celebrate. How about you?
Spring is a great time to update your decor too! Liven up your spaces with new pops of color like Pantone’s Radiant Orchid, geometric s and florals. Every season I love making changes to my decor. I decided to make new throw pillows, along with re-purposing two old drab ones.
Today I am sharing my DIY and tutorial with you that I made to celebrate National Craft Month with Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores! It is the perfect time to get crafty and sewing. The best part is this DIY is easier than you think.
DIY Throw Pillows
No patterns needed for this DIY / sewing project! I’ll share how you can size your pillow shapes. Plus, add some flair with trims too!
I have to thank Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores® for sponsoring this post and asking me to participate in their National Craft Month Campaign. I received compensation for this review. However, this is my personal, 100% honest opinions based on my experience.”
How to Sew Throw Pillows
Decide how many throw pillows you want to make
First off decide how many pillows you want to make for your decor project. *If you aren’t sure how much fabric you’ll need you can always ask someone at Jo-Ann’s to help you figure it out but, you need to know the size of your pillows you will make.
The pillow inserts come in sizes like
I re-purposed two 16″ x 16″ standard square pillows and then purchased my pillow inserts; 16 x 16 pillow forms, 18 x 18 pillow forms and 20 x 20 pillow forms. The sizes are pretty standard for accent pillows. But, you can make other sizes.
I added sewing trim with pom-poms to make them special. For a smaller pillow 16 x 16 you will need 1/2 yard of fabric or a bit more for your fabric. You will need about one and a half yards each to 72 inches or 2 yards for the trims. (give or take)
Here are the steps for making a basic square pillow. Then I will share how to add the trim. If you are new to sewing you can skip adding the trim. Or try it but get a bit extra. It is a bit trickier to add trims but, much easier than you think! If I can do it, you can. I had never tackled trims on a pillow before. Be brave and fearless with your crafting. It’s good to spread your wings. Click on to enlarge the photo and let me take you through the steps.
Supplies needed for making throw pillows
(standard sewing supplies)
- Approx. 1/2 yard of fabric for 16″ x 16″ pillow (* see notes above)
- Matching thread in a neutral color
- Pillow stuffing or pillow forms (I re-purposed filling from 2 drab, puppy torn pillows I took apart, I also used two store-bought pillow forms from Amazon or Jo-Ann Fabrics
- Optional: Trims about 1-1/2 – 2 yards per pillow for trim.
- disappearing marking pen
- ruler
- Note: My fabric choices were dry clean only so I didn’t need to pre-wash fabrics! If using cotton be sure to pre-wash, dry and iron your fabric prior to making or your pillows. This remove sizing, prevent shrinkage when using or for future washing. Unless you spot wash or cold water wash and hang dry.
- Either way, you need to press your fabrics before marking and cutting.
Step by Step Directions – How to make the throw pillows
- Use your old pillow casing or empty pillow package as a pattern.
- Cut out the shape with fabric scissors.
- Make sure your fabric is cut square, I used a ruler, t-square, and invisible marking pen.
- With right sides together match up corners and pin in place
- Tip: Do not start sewing from the edge of the corners! Stop and start (be sure to go forward and back at stops and starts to secure your threads) from in the middle of the pillow leaving a 3 inch or wider for pillow forms opening to turn and stuff pillow
- When you reach the corner before the sewing foot hits the edge stop, lift foot and pivot to your new direction and keep sewing (do same at every corner)
- When done trim corners diagonally, stay away from threads when clipping, this helps you have pointed corners
- Flip to the right side, pull out corner edges with a needle to create a sharp point
- Stuff your pillow or insert your pillow form
- Stitch closed by hand with matching thread and you are done!
Direction for how to make a pillow with trims
Now if you make one and want to add a pretty trim on it you can follow these steps. This was my first time so if you are more seasoned with trims just leave your tips in the comments section! I’m sure inquiring minds would love your tips!
- Use the steps above for making the pillow pattern for the pillow form pillows.
- Press fabrics prior to cutting and placing pattern!
- After cutting out fabric place your trim meeting fabric edges, hanging trims (and pom-poms)to the inside of the pillow.
- Go around the entire pillow pinning in place.
- I rounded my corners, not cutting trims at corners.
- Then you can either sew it onto fabric, but I decided to place the right side on top and sew trim and pillow all at once.
I am Not, sure if that’s the proper way but, I went slowly around corners and carefully watched the placement of fabrics as I sewed it together!
Remember NOT to sew your opening until you have your trims sewn separately on each side and have stuffed your pillow!
Here’s a technique with an opening flap on the back with pom-pom trim. (How-to sew a pillow with pom-poms video)
Make sure the second layer of fabric is not near the opening hole when sewing the trim at this part! You have SEW each side of opening separately, this way you still have the hole to add the stuffing into. (leaving it open for stuffing and finish with hand sewing)
- Now that you made sure the second layer of fabric isn’t near opening fold down and sew trim area to meet the end of the opening.
- As you go along be sure to check and flatten fabric as you go, this is the part you want to sew slower at. It doesn’t take long!
- Do both opening sides.
- Flip right sides out and then stuff!
- You are done!
Update: Please note on white trim on the second pillow (with circle trim) I pinned and sewed the trim on first. (facing into the pillow on the right side)
Then added the bottom and sewed the pillow together. (This way was much easier in the end! And necessary for that type of trim! )
I love how my pillows turned out. I am enjoying the colors, florals and geometric patterns. The combo all together against my chocolate couch is a pretty pop of colors. Fabrics I used were on sale and from the upholstery section. I also came across the end of a bolt.
- Did you know you can get a discount on purchasing the last of the bolt? Score, 50% off the end piece.
Here is a small example of what they carrying at the time of the post.
Diagram of how to sew a pillow
- Watch for and print coupons on their site and enjoy making a sewing project.
- I made handy diy directions you can save, print to use! If you are new to sewing I hope it helps you.
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What kinds of things do you like to craft and sew for spring?
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I love pillows, and have quite a bunch though-out the apartment
These are great ones!!
I just wish I knew how to sew and make them myself 🙂
Hi Winnie, thanks you. It’s nice to have pretty pillows to use and display. If you have a sewing machine this is a very easy project.
I love the trim on your pillows! so fun and festive!!!
🙂 Have a happy week!!
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
Thanks so much Crystelle! Jo-Ann Fabrics has many to pick from.
LOVE THIS! Your pillows came out great! And your pictures are awesome- love your little arrows!! Found your post on the Creative Corner link up 🙂
Alicia @ http://www.adventuresatnaptime.com
Hi Alicia, Thanks so much and nice to know how you found me. Hope to see you again soon and glad to meet you.
Great tutorial! I love the trim you’ve used! These cushions look really good together.
Hi Nesta, Thank you. They had so many nice trims to pick from it wasn’t easy to pick.