Creating Comfortable Kneeling Pillows For Your Wedding Ceremony

Wedding kneeling pillows are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. Whether you're looking for a simple design or something more elaborate, making your own wedding kneeling pillows can be a fun and rewarding project. With a few basic materials and a little creativity, you can create beautiful and unique pillows that will be cherished for years to come. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of making your own wedding kneeling pillows, from choosing the right fabric and materials to adding personal touches that reflect your style and theme. We will also provide tips and tricks for ensuring your pillows are comfortable and durable, so you can focus on enjoying your big day.

Choosing the fabric and decorations

When choosing the fabric and decorations for your wedding kneeling pillows, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the colour scheme you want to go for. White and ivory are classic choices for wedding colours and can be easily found on Etsy and Amazon. You can also opt for a more colourful option, such as lilac, silver, or champagne.

Next, consider the type of fabric you want to use. Satin is a popular choice for wedding kneeling pillows, as it is elegant and luxurious. You can also choose to decorate the satin with lace, pearls, or embroidery for a more sophisticated look. If you want to add a personal touch, consider customising the pillow with your wedding theme colours or adding a monogram of your initials.

Other decorations to consider include rhinestones, crystals, and bows. You can also opt for a more simple and elegant look with just a satin ribbon and small pearls in the centre. If you want to add a romantic touch, choose a pillow with 3D flowers or stereo chiffon rose decorations. For a rustic look, consider a burlap fabric with lace or a simple ivory satin pillow with a big bow.

Finally, think about the size and shape of the pillow. Most pillows are square, ranging from 15 to 18 inches in length and width. You can also find heart-shaped pillows or pillows with a handle and rear zipper for practicality.

Adding a zipper for comfort

Adding a zipper to your wedding kneeling pillow can make it much more comfortable to use and easier to maintain. Zippers can be especially useful if you plan to use your pillow outdoors or in other settings where it may get dirty. Here are some tips for adding a zipper to your wedding kneeling pillow:

Fabric and Pillow Type:

It is recommended to use a home decor fabric for your pillowcase because it is thicker and holds its shape well. You will need two pieces of fabric per pillow, cut to the same dimensions as your pillow insert. For the pillow insert itself, feather pillows are a popular choice as they hold their shape better than other types of pillow forms.

Zipper Size:

The zipper you choose should be 3-4 inches shorter than the bottom edge of your pillow. This will ensure that the zipper is discreet and does not affect the comfort of the pillow.

Sewing Process:

Start by flattening your pillow form and measuring the two perpendicular sides. Add one inch to each of these measurements to allow for a 1/2-inch seam allowance on all four sides. Cut out two pieces of fabric according to these measurements, with the right sides of the fabric facing together.

Next, iron your zipper flat and unzip it. Carefully pin one side of the zipper to the right side of one piece of fabric, leaving some of the zipper ends hanging out. Stitch this side of the zipper into place, then repeat the process for the other side of the zipper and the second piece of fabric.

Zip the zipper closed, leaving about four inches unzipped. Stitch around the three remaining sides of the pillow, sewing through both ends of the zipper to secure it in place. Trim any excess thread or zipper material, then turn the pillowcase right side out and insert your pillow form.

Additional Tips:

Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine can make it easier to sew close to the zipper teeth. It is also recommended to wash and dry your fabric and pillow form before starting, especially if they are second-hand. Finally, consider adding piping to your pillow for a more luxurious look and feel.

Using satin and lace

To make a satin and lace wedding kneeling pillow, you will need to purchase or source the following materials:

• Satin fabric in the colour of your choice (popular choices include white, ivory, and silver)
• Lace fabric, which can be purchased by the yard or as a pre-made applique
• A needle and thread, or a sewing machine
• Scissors
• Pillow stuffing, such as cotton or polyester filling
• Optional: Embellishments such as pearls, rhinestones, or a satin sash

Once you have gathered your materials, you can begin creating your kneeling pillows. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Cut the satin fabric: You will need to cut two pieces of satin fabric that are slightly larger than the size you want your final pillow to be. This will allow for a seam allowance and ensure that your pillow is plump and comfortable.
• Sew the satin fabric: With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, sew along three sides of the fabric, leaving one side open to insert the pillow stuffing. If you are using a sewing machine, remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam to secure the thread.
• Trim the corners: To create neat corners on your pillow, trim the corners of the fabric at a diagonal, being careful not to cut too close to the seam.
• Turn the fabric right side out: Using the opening you left in step 2, turn the fabric pouch right side out. Gently push out the corners with a blunt object, like a chopstick or knitting needle, to create crisp edges.
• Stuff the pillow: Fill the pillow with your chosen stuffing until it is plump and comfortable. Be careful not to overstuff, as this may cause the seams to burst.
• Sew the opening closed: Using a needle and thread, sew the opening closed with small, neat stitches.
• Add lace applique (optional): If you wish to add lace to your pillow, you can sew on a lace applique or trim to the front of the pillow. Alternatively, you can sew lace fabric along the edges of the pillow for a more subtle effect.
• Embellish (optional): If you desire, add embellishments such as pearls, rhinestones, or a satin sash to the centre of the pillow.

By following these steps, you can create beautiful and elegant satin and lace wedding kneeling pillows that will add a special touch to your ceremony.

Embroidering the pillow

Choose Your Design

Decide on the design you want to embroider on the pillow. It can be the couple's initials, the wedding date, a meaningful quote, or a combination of these elements. You can also choose a design that reflects the wedding theme or colours.

Select Your Materials

Choose embroidery thread colours that complement your wedding colour palette. You will also need a needle, embroidery hoop, and the fabric for your pillow (such as satin or lace). Consider the weight and type of fabric to ensure that your embroidery needle and thread are suitable.

Prepare Your Fabric

Cut the fabric for your pillow, allowing for seams. Use an embroidery hoop to stretch the fabric tightly, making it easier to stitch. Transfer your chosen design onto the fabric using an embroidery transfer pen or pencil. Ensure the design is centred and straight before tracing.

Start Embroidering

Follow your design and begin stitching. Use different embroidery stitches to add texture and interest to your design. Common stitches include backstitch, chain stitch, and French knots. Take your time and ensure your stitches are neat and consistent.

Finish the Pillow

Once your embroidery is complete, remove the fabric from the hoop and cut the excess fabric, leaving enough for seams. Sew the fabric pieces together, leaving an opening for pillow stuffing. Stuff the pillow to your desired firmness, then sew the opening closed.

Final Touches

Check your embroidered design and ensure there are no loose ends or threads. Secure any loose threads by threading them into your stitches and trimming them close to the fabric. Give your pillow a final press with a cool iron to remove any creases.

Your embroidered wedding kneeling pillows are now ready to be used and admired on your special day. This project allows you to add a unique and handcrafted element to your wedding ceremony.

Adding a handle

Measure and Plan:

Before you start, decide on the placement and size of the handle. Measure the width of your pillow and mark the centre point on one side. This will be the starting point for your handle.

Choose Your Handle Material:

You can use a variety of materials for the handle, such as ribbon, rope, or fabric. Choose something that complements the colour and style of your pillow. For example, if you have a satin and lace pillow, you might opt for a satin ribbon handle. Cut your chosen material to the desired length, leaving a little extra for securing it to the pillow.

Secure the Handle:

There are a few ways to attach the handle. You can sew it by hand or with a sewing machine, ensuring a sturdy attachment by stitching back and forth a few times at the start and end of the handle. Alternatively, you could use fabric glue, which is ideal if you don't want stitches to show on the outside of the pillow.

Reinforce the Handle:

To ensure the handle is strong enough to bear the weight of the pillow and withstand some tugging, reinforce it by attaching it to the pillow in multiple places. You can do this by sewing or gluing it to the pillow in several spots along its length.

Test the Handle:

Once you've secured and reinforced the handle, test it by gently pulling on it and lifting the pillow. Ensure that it feels secure and that the weight of the pillow is evenly distributed. If it feels sturdy, you're all set!

By following these steps, you'll have a wedding kneeling pillow with a handle that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This addition will make it easier to carry and display your pillow during the ceremony and will also add a unique touch to your special day.

Frequently asked questions