Crafting A Wedding Pillow: A Guide To Making Yours

Making your own wedding pillow is a fun and easy project. You can make a wedding pillow with or without sewing, depending on your preference. The first step is to select your fabric. A cotton fabric of any weight will work, but you can also use satin, burlap, or linen. Cut your fabric into two squares or rectangles, making sure to add a seam allowance to the length and width. Stack the pieces together, with the right sides facing each other, and secure the edges with pins. Sew three of the edges together, leaving one side open. Turn the pillowcase right side out and stuff the pillow with polyester filling. Close the open seam by folding the raw edges and securing them with pins, then sew the opening shut. Embellish your pillow with ribbons, beads, or other decorations that match your wedding colours.

Choosing the fabric

Type of Fabric

You can choose from a variety of fabrics such as cotton, satin, burlap, linen, canvas, or even lace. Consider the theme and colour scheme of your wedding when making your selection. If you want a soft and comfortable pillow for resting, go for a fabric like cotton with a high thread count. For a more decorative pillow, you can opt for fabrics like brocade or satin, which have a shiny and elegant appearance.

Fabric Weight and Texture

The weight and texture of the fabric can also impact the overall look and feel of the pillow. Lightweight fabrics like chiffon or lace can give a delicate and airy appearance, while heavier fabrics like canvas or burlap will result in a more rustic or textured look. Consider the weight of the fabric and how it will drape and feel when made into a pillow.

Print and Pattern

If you choose a printed or patterned fabric, ensure that the design complements your wedding theme. You can opt for a simple pattern that matches your colour scheme or go for something more intricate and detailed. Embroidered fabrics or those with beading or other embellishments can also add a unique touch to your wedding pillow.

Amount of Fabric Needed

The amount of fabric you need will depend on the size of your pillow. Standard ring pillows are typically smaller, measuring around 7 to 10 inches square. Add a seam allowance of about 0.5 to 1 inch to the length and width of your desired pillow size when cutting your fabric. If you plan to add embellishments like lace or ruffles, you may need additional fabric for those details.

Fabric Preparation

Before cutting your fabric, it is important to iron it to remove any wrinkles and ensure it lies flat. This will make it easier to work with and create a neater finish. If your fabric has been stored for a long time, consider having it cleaned or washed before use to remove any stains or discolouration.

Cutting the fabric

If you are using a pre-existing item of clothing, you will first need to disassemble it using a seam ripper to gently pull apart the threads holding the seams together. Once you have separated the sections of the item, cut out the portion of the fabric that you will use for the pillow.

If you are cutting the fabric directly from a roll, you will first need to measure out the size of your pillow, adding a seam allowance of around 1/2 inch to 1 inch to each side. For example, if you want your finished pillow to measure 10 inches by 10 inches, you should cut your fabric to measure 11 inches by 11 inches to account for the seam allowance.

You will need to cut out two equally sized pieces of fabric. If you are using a patterned fabric, ensure that the pattern is oriented in the same direction on both pieces. Pin the fabric together to keep it from slipping, and cut out your two pieces using fabric scissors.

If you are adding any additional fabric details, such as lace or ribbon, cut these to size now and pin them in place on top of one of the fabric pieces. You can then sew these details in place, sewing as close to the edge of the detail as possible to hold it down securely.

Sewing the fabric

Cutting the Fabric

First, you need to decide on the size of your pillow. A standard ring pillow is typically around 7 to 10 inches square, but you can make it smaller or larger depending on your preference. Don't forget to add a seam allowance to your measurements! Cut out two identical squares or rectangles from your chosen fabric, making sure to include the seam allowance in your cuts. If you're using a printed fabric, ensure that the print is aligned correctly and will look good on the pillow.

Stacking and Pinning the Fabric

Place the two pieces of fabric together, with the right sides facing each other. This means that the side of the fabric that you want to be seen when the pillow is finished should be facing inwards. Secure the two pieces together using pins, placing them about 1/2 inch away from the edges. This will keep the fabric from shifting when you start sewing.

You can sew the fabric by hand or using a sewing machine. Sew three of the four sides together, leaving one side open. Use a straight stitch and a thread colour that matches your fabric. If you're using a sewing machine, remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing to secure the thread. If you're sewing by hand, use a slip stitch or a ladder stitch to securely close the seams.

Trimming the Corners

Before turning the pillow right side out, you can trim the corners to reduce bulk and help your pillow look neater. Cut as close to the stitching as possible without cutting the thread. Be sure to clip the corners of the open edge as well, as this will make it easier to sew shut later.

Turning and Stuffing the Pillow

Now, turn the pillow right side out through the opening you left. Use a blunt, pointy tool like a knitting needle or pencil to push out the corners and give them a sharp look. Once you're happy with the shape, it's time to stuff the pillow! Polyester stuffing is a popular choice, but you can also use foam, a mini pillow insert, or even scraps of fabric or yarn if you want to reduce waste.

Closing the Final Seam

Once your pillow is stuffed to your desired fullness, it's time to close the final seam. Fold the raw edges of the opening inwards by about 1/4 inch, and secure them with pins. Then, hand sew the opening closed using a ladder stitch or a slip stitch. Alternatively, you can use hot glue or fabric glue to close the opening, working in small sections at a time.

Stuffing the pillow

Now it's time to stuff your pillow! For this step, you have a few options. Polyester filling or batting will work well, but you can also use foam or a pre-made mini pillow. If you're making a no-sew pillow, you can even use a plain ring pillow as long as it's the same size as the one you're making.

If you're using polyester filling or batting, simply fill the pillow to your desired level of fullness. Be careful not to overstuff, as this can cause the pillow to look misshapen or feel hard. Once you're happy with the amount of filling, it's time to close up the pillow.

If you're sewing your pillow shut, push the filling into the pillow so that it doesn't get caught in the needle and thread. Then, fold the raw edges of the opening in by 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm), secure them with sewing pins, and stitch the opening closed with a ladder stitch. Finally, remove the pins.

If you're using hot glue, work in small sections of about 1 inch (2.5 cm) at a time. Apply the glue to the raw edges, press and hold the fabric together until the glue sets, and then move on to the next section.

For fabric glue, follow the same process but use clothespins to hold the fabric together while the glue dries.

Embellishing the pillow

Fabric and Colour Choices

Choose a fabric that matches your wedding colours and theme. Consider using a unique fabric such as burlap, linen, canvas, satin, silk, velvet or even a fancy embroidered fabric for the front, with a plainer fabric for the back. If you're feeling adventurous, experiment with different shapes for your pillow, such as a circle, heart or rectangle.

Ribbons and Bows

Add a decorative bow to the middle of the pillow by gluing or sewing it in place. You can also tie a ribbon around the pillow and add the rings, then tie the ribbon into a bow. Use a ribbon and string to create a slipknot, which will allow you to tie the rings securely to the pillow.

Lace and Trims

Add a lace overlay to your pillow by cutting a piece of lace fabric to size and sewing it to the front of the pillow. You could also use chiffon or organza fabric, or a strip of lace ribbon. For a romantic touch, add a ruffled lace trim to the edges of the pillow.

Embroidery

Embroider the front piece of fabric by hand or with an embroidery machine before assembling the pillow. Simple embroidery works well with rustic fabrics such as burlap, linen or canvas, while detailed embroidery suits fancier fabrics.

Beads and Flowers

Hand stitch beads or fabric flowers onto the pillow to enhance its appearance. If you're using a wedding dress to make your pillow, you can use any embellishments from the dress such as beadwork or lacework.

Charms

Add a symbolic charm to the bow, such as a horseshoe for good luck or a heart for love. Sew it to the pillow under the bow, or slide it onto the ribbon before tying.

Tassels and Cording

Make some tassels using matching embroidery thread and sew them to the corners of the pillow. Add a corded trim to the seams of your pillow for a lavish touch. Silver and gold colours make great accents, but feel free to experiment with other colours.

Tufting

Create a tufted look by sewing a few stitches through the centre of the pillow to form an 'X'. Cover the 'X' with a ribbon bow.

Remember, this is your special day, so feel free to get creative and add any personal touches that reflect your style and theme. Happy crafting!

Frequently asked questions