Y’all – I am so close! With this pillow tutorial I can see the light at the end of my Project Redecorate: Family Room tunnel! Remember I started this 8 months ago – click the picture and you can go back in time and see the little projects I’ve been finishing along the way. I am one project away from getting this thing done and shared THIS MONTH!
So, I am finishing up the pillows for the family room. I really wanted a different shape/texture for one, and had my heart set on round. Originally I thought about smocking one like this one, but I didn’t really want to spend the time hand smocking this. So I came up with an easier way that has kind of the same effect.
You’ll need:
- Fabric
- Upholstery or heavy duty thread
- Hand sewing needle
- 2 buttons at least 1 1/4″ in diameter
- Fiberfill
To make one, start with a rectangle of fabric that is 96″ long by 19″ wide. I had to sew two pieces of fabric together to get a piece this long, but that worked fine.
Mark lines on the wrong side every two inches parallel to the short edge of the fabric. At every line, make a 1/2″ wide pleat. Pin the pleat on each edge and down the center.
Mark a line down the center of the fabric, then measure 2 inches to each side of the center and mark stitching lines there. Sew down the pleats on these two stitching lines with your machine – this forms the “sides” of your pillow. Sew the pleats down 1/4″ from each edge of the fabric as well.
Sew the two short ends of fabric right sides together, so you have a long pleated loop.
With a hand sewing needle and heavy duty or upholstery thread, make a running stitch along one edge. Gather the stitching as much as you can to create one side of the pillow. Take a few stitches to keep the gathers in place and knot your thread.
Sew one of your buttons over the gathered area to cover the raw edges.
Partially gather the other edge of your fabric. Stuff your pillow, leaving enough slack to finish gathering the edge. Gather and sew a button as you did on the other side.
And you’re done! Much faster than hand smocking, I say.
I have another project already done that I plan to share next week, and one more in the works before I can share the whole before/after of the living room. I’m kind of looking forward to that post – it’s been such a drawn out process I’ve forgotten where I started.
And I’ve already started on my next room redecoration…the sewing studio is getting an update.
Nicole
Ooooh, that’s quite lovely.
Anne Weaver
It’s gorgeous!! I’ve got a post on Craft Gossip scheduled for later this evening that links to your tutorial. When it goes live, you can find it here:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-round-pleated-and-tufted-accent-pillow/2013/09/03/
–Anne
Delia
This is so cute! I love it! Pinning…
Emily
Beautiful!!!!!!
Tracy
This is stunning! I would love to have this on my living room couch. We would love to have you share this at our Saturday Link Party. Each link will be shown on two blogs, Made From Pinterest and Bakerette! It starts Fridays at 3pm, hope we see you there!
Please remember to put a link back to Made From Pinterest at the bottom of your post(s).
Sarah
Beautiful! I love the detail on your pillows and the tutotial. Thanks for sharing.
Sarah
Abbey
Love this pillow! Definitely trying this!
Jeni
That looks so effective, yet fairly simple to do. Thanks for sharing your tutorial, i’m on the case now with making one for my lounge!
Jeni
x
Sierra
How big is this one? I was going to try it using a pillow for, but I wanted to see if I had to adjust the measurements for the diameter. Thanks!
Melissa Mora
About 18″ diameter
Sheryl
Thanks!! Making for my daughter!!
Kim Gaynor
Thanks for the detailed instructions! I am teaching myself how to sew again after 30+ years! I thought you might like to know that I pinned your blog post. (I just love the old-fashioned look of the pillow.)
Oh, you also might like to know about a vintage fabric giveaway I’m hosting on my blog: http://livingvintageco.com/2015/02/sewing-ideas-using-vintage-linens-giveaway/.
Jessica Brown
Great job. Its beautiful.
Teri
Your pillow looks great! I’ve been trying to figure out how to make a round pleated pillow and this tutorial sure helps! My pillow form is 16″ diameter. Do you have any clue on how much I would need to adjust the measurements? Thanks again!
Melissa Mora
I haven’t tried that, if you do, let us know how it goes!
B .VIJAYALAKSHMI
beautiful design