Sewing A Ring Bearer Pillow: Easy Steps

Sewing a ring bearer pillow is a great way to add a special touch to your wedding. It's also a simple way to create an heirloom that can be passed down for generations. While you can always buy a simple pillow, making your own allows you to match the overall theme of your wedding and express your creativity. Whether you're an experienced sewer or a beginner, there are various ways to create a unique and elegant ring bearer pillow.

Choosing your fabric

The fabric you choose for your ring bearer pillow is important. It should be smooth and strong, so it doesn't tear or leave loose threads that could snag the rings. You can use satin, silk, lace, or polyester for a traditional look. If you want to be more creative, consider using printed fabrics, velvet, linen, denim, or even a vintage handkerchief or linen.

If you're looking for a unique and personalised option, you could use the fabric from the wedding dress. This creates a meaningful connection between the pillow and the wedding ceremony. It's also possible to use a variety of fabrics to create a layered or textured effect, such as organza, floral foam, or even moss for an outdoor wedding.

For a more sustainable option, consider upcycling fabric from an old dress or item of clothing. This adds a special touch and gives new life to a pre-loved garment.

Remember, the fabric you choose should complement the colour of the rings and make them stand out. It should also be easy to work with, especially if you're planning to sew or embroider it yourself.

Cutting and assembling the fabric

To make a ring bearer pillow, you will need to cut two squares of fabric. The size of the squares will depend on how big you want the pillow to be. For a standard ring pillow, cut the fabric into two 8-inch or 9-inch squares, including a 1/4-inch seam allowance. If you want a bigger pillow, cut the fabric into two 10-inch squares. For a custom size, simply add 1/2 inch to the length and width of your desired pillow size.

Once you have cut your fabric to the desired size, stack the squares with the right sides together, securing the edges with pins. If you are using a printed fabric, make sure that the print is suitable and matches your wedding theme. You can use any type of fabric, such as satin, cotton, or burlap, in a colour that complements your wedding colours.

Next, cut a piece of ribbon for tying the rings to the pillow. The length of the ribbon will depend on how you want it to look. Cut a 30-inch piece if you want the ribbons to cascade over the edges of the pillow, or a shorter piece if you prefer. You can also add a ribbon handle to the bottom of the pillow. Cut a 10-inch piece of ribbon for this.

Now you are ready to start sewing your pillow!

Sewing the fabric

To sew the fabric for a ring bearer pillow, start by cutting out the pieces you'll need. You'll need two squares of fabric for the body of the pillow. For the top, cut an 11-inch square, and for the bottom, cut a 10-inch square. The top piece should be slightly bigger to allow for the take-up of any pintucks. If you plan to include a ruffle, you'll also need a piece of fabric that's five inches wide and 65 inches long. You may need to join two pieces together to get the appropriate length.

Next, fold the ruffle piece in half, matching the short sides together, with the right sides facing in. Sew a seam to create a loop of fabric, using a half-inch seam allowance, then press the seam open with an iron. Fold the fabric over on itself, wrong sides together, matching the raw edges, and press it again. Set your sewing machine stitch length to 5.0 and sew two parallel lines of stitches near the raw edge. Pull on the ends of the thread to gather the fabric and create the ruffle. Adjust the length of the gathered edge as needed.

Now, take one of the squares of fabric for the pillow body and use a disappearing fabric marker to make a light line half an inch from the raw edge, all the way around on the right side. This will show you where the seam will be. If you'd like to add lace, pin it just outside this line, with the decorative edge facing towards the centre of the square. Baste the lace in place to hold it neatly as you work.

On the other square, pin the ruffle to it, with the ruffle facing the centre and the raw edges lined up. Baste the ruffle in place, sewing just short of the half-inch seam allowance.

Stack the two pillow pieces with their right sides together and pin them together around the edges. Sew the pieces together using a half-inch seam allowance, but leave a few inches open for turning the pillow right side out. Remember to keep the ruffle out of your seam, especially at the corners. Clip the corners at an angle to reduce bulk, being careful not to clip too close to the seam.

Turn the pillow right side out and use an iron to press it. Then, stuff the pillow with polyester stuffing until it's as firm as you'd like. Hand sew the opening closed.

Stuffing the pillow

Now that you have sewn your ring bearer pillow, it is time to stuff it! Polyester stuffing is the best option, but you can also use a piece of foam or a mini pillow insert. You can also use a plain ring pillow, as long as it is the same size.

Use your fingers to push the stuffing into the pillow so that it does not get caught in the glue. Work on one inch at a time, gluing the final seam down. If you are working with hot glue, press and hold each section until it dries before moving on to the next. If you are using fabric glue, secure the section with a clothespin and remove the pins once the glue dries.

Once the pillow is stuffed to your satisfaction, hand sew or whipstitch the opening closed. You can also press the raw edges to the inside first. A bit of Stitch Witchery can also be added to keep the stuffing inside while you are hand sewing.

Embellishing the pillow

Now for the fun part: embellishing the pillow!

First, you'll want to decide on the type of ribbon you'd like to use. You can go for a simple ribbon that matches the colour of your fabric, or you could opt for something more decorative with a pattern or a different texture. The ribbon can be used to tie the rings to the pillow, as well as to create a bow or rosette for added decoration. If you want to be able to tie the rings to the pillow, make sure to choose a ribbon that is long enough and not too thick.

Once you've chosen your ribbon, you can move on to deciding on any other embellishments you'd like to add. This could include things like lace, beads, buttons, or even a symbolic charm such as a horseshoe or a heart. If you're feeling really creative, you could try embroidering the fabric by hand or with an embroidery machine.

If you want to add a personal touch, consider embroidering the initials of the happy couple or their wedding date onto the pillow. This will not only make the pillow more meaningful, but it will also be a lovely keepsake for them to treasure long after the wedding day.

When you've gathered all your embellishments, it's time to start attaching them to the pillow. This can be done with a hot glue gun, fabric glue, or by sewing them on by hand or machine. If you're using a hot glue gun, be careful not to burn yourself and always use caution when working with hot glue.

For a simple look, tie a ribbon around the middle of the pillow and secure it with a knot or a bow. You can then slide the rings onto the ribbon and tie them in place. This method is quick and easy, and it will ensure that the rings are secure.

If you want to get a little more creative, try creating a tufted look by sewing a few stitches through the centre of the pillow. This will give the pillow a more dimensional appearance and can be a great way to showcase the ribbon or any other embellishments you've chosen.

Another option is to add a corded trim and tassels for a lavish touch. Simply hot glue a thin cording to the seams of the pillow and make some matching embroidery thread tassels to sew onto the corners. This will give the pillow a polished and elegant look.

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