Making a Pillow

• Creating a pillow starts with choosing a design. Know what your pillow's function will be. Will it be just for decoration, a lumbar pillow, head support or a cushion for sitting on the floor? Basic square pillows are the easiest, but you can make any size or shape you desire. Hobby or discount stores often sell pillow forms, which make it easy to get just the right size and firmness. If you decide to go for this option, choose the form before picking the covering. If you already have pillows that suit your needs and you want a different look, simply make new covers for your old pillows.
  
  The other option is to stuff your pillow with loose stuffing. Keep in mind that it's harder to get the shape right with loose stuffing. These pillows often end up being under-stuffed.
  
  Choosing the fabric is the next step. Luxury fabrics, like silks and brocades, are often difficult to work with. If you have limited sewing experience, avoid these. You can often find polyester blends that mimic these luxury fabrics, but are far less expensive and easier to work with. Buy enough to cover both sides of the pillow, plus 3 to 4 inches for seam allowances and the curve of the pillow. If you are making a 12-inch pillow, get at least 30 inches of fabric. Most fabrics are 45 inches wide, so you get one-and-a-half 12-inch pillows from a piece of fabric 16 inches long (16 by 45 inches).
  
  The easiest way to cover a pillow form is to make a pillowcase. Cut your fabric to the size of your pillow, plus 1/2 inch on each side for seam allowances. Decide at this point whether you want the cover to fit tightly or loosely and adjust the size of the fabric accordingly.
  
  If fraying is a problem with your fabric, finish the edges before you put the pillow together. Do this by folding 1/4 inch of the fabric over and, using a zigzag stitch, sew this hem. If you decide to do this, you need to add 1/4 inch to your cut size.
  
  Put the right sides of your pillowcase together and sew around three sides. Cut across the corners of the pillowcase at a 45-degree angle to reduce the bulk of the corner, but don't get too close to the corner seam. Turn the pillowcase right-side out and poke the corners out with a blunt pair of scissors or corner turner to make your corners square. Put the pillow form in the pillowcase and, folding the edges of the open end over, pin them together. Sew them together by hand with a whip stitch or a running stitch. Another option is to finish the open edge and hold the opening closed with buttons, a zipper or hook-and-loop closure.
  
  If you are using loose stuffing, sew all four sides together, leaving a small opening in one side for stuffing. When the pillow is stuffed, sew the opening together using the same method as the form pillow.
  
  Adorn the pillow however you want. Cord, braid, tassels and buttons are popular adornments for decorative pillows.