Decorative pillows have long become an important part of the textile design of many rooms. You can find this functional and at the same time decorative element not only in living rooms, but also in bedrooms, children's rooms, dining rooms and even kitchen areas of a modern home. Decorative pillows. In addition to performing its main function - providing the most comfortable location in the recreation area of any room, they can act as an accent element of the interior (executed in a bright or contrasting form) or serve as a guide in choosing stylistic direction in the design of space. In a word, we need decorative pillows not only for convenience, but also for beauty. It’s especially nice that you can make this simple decoration item with your own hands. We have collected for you 100 ideas for creating practical and beautiful, stylish and artsy, bright and neutral, smooth and textured, pillows for every taste, for various design options for your homes. Get inspired, recharge with ideas and create beauty for your own home.
How to use decorative pillows
It is a misconception that decorative pillows belong only in the sitting area of the living room. Beautiful pillows and bolsters can become part of the textile design of the bed. Comfortable pillows can be used for a comfortable position in the dining room or kitchen (for example, in a dining area with a so-called “corner”). Decorative pillows can be used not only in the interior of your home, but also outside it. For example, to increase the comfort of a seating area with garden furniture, exhibited at open veranda or terrace, you can use various types of pillows, including decorative ones.
With the help of bright decorative pillows The easiest and fastest way to change the character of the interior. If the entire room is decorated in light or neutral tones, then bright textiles in the recreation area will easily become an accent element. To globally change the color temperature and design dynamics, it is enough to change the covers on the pillows that provide comfort to the seating area.
Using pillows on a sofa or bed, in small armchairs or large-scale ensembles, on personal chairs and even swings, you can clearly define the stylistic design of the interior. For example, the presence of marine or beach style will indicate textile design using blue and white stripes, images of ships, anchors, shells, and inhabitants of various bodies of water.
Variety of options
Knitted products
From knitted covers for pillows it exudes homeliness and comfort. Perfect option for the Scandinavian style of room decoration. But also many variations modern style will easily accept such decor. Beautiful textured knitting in neutral colors will be a harmonious addition to the design of the recreation area, and bright threads will help create the necessary color accent if the image of a sofa, armchair or bed was destined to stand out from the general background.
What do you associate with the word yarn itself? What about wool? Surely many will say that saz represented sheep’s fleece. Knitting from wool threads pillows in the shape of sheep - incredible harmonious solution. And there is no need to talk about the originality of the result obtained - such decorative pillows will lift your spirits even on the gloomiest day.
Hand-crafted snow-white lace will look great on linen or cotton pillowcases.
If you don’t know how to knit or don’t want to, but you have knitting threads and a desire to use them to decorate the covers of decorative pillows, the simplest use will be to make pom-poms. The technique is simple, even a child can handle it, but the result is a wonderful, textured decor that lifts the mood and transforms the neutral design of the room.
The most common option for creating texture on pillow covers is to use the fabric itself. Folds and various bends, bows and all kinds of weaving (from the main fabric), even knots - everything is used to create a creative design.
A method in which there is practically no need for sewing has become very popular - the pillow is literally wrapped in fabric, but in an original way.
Ordinary ruffles and frills can become the basis for creating an original and stylish decor item. It is enough to sew strips of fabric collected in ruffles onto the simplest pillow cover, and a boring interior detail turns into its decoration. This method of decoration is also suitable for those. who is just trying their hand at sewing.
Using a variety of bright circles cut from felt (or other material that holds its shape well and does not require processing along the edges of the product), you can make an incredibly textured, original pillow that can decorate any interior.
Embroidery, appliqués and combining materials
Applique is a great way to create a unique decorative element from scrap materials. If you have leftover fabric, felt, beautiful threads, beads, rhinestones, braid or ribbons - any of these materials can become the basis for creating an applique. You just need to decide on the topic. It will depend on the chosen stylistic design of the room for which the decorative pillow will be made. But there are many universal options - images of plants, flowers, geometric shapes, abstract patterns...
Picture of animals...
New Year themed...
Hearts, as a symbol not only of love, but also of the holiday of Valentine's Day...
Button applique is a simple way of decorating that even a child can do. Especially if the buttons are not sewn on, but glued. Ask the children to help you and get not only an original decorative and at the same time practical element interior, but also priceless minutes of joint creativity spent with the child.
Decorating the pillow fabric with beads, rivets, and sequins looks even more textured and luxurious. It may not be entirely convenient to use such pillows for their intended purpose, but they will certainly decorate the interior.
An excellent opportunity for rational disposal of leftover fabrics of different colors is to use pieces to make a patchwork-style pillow. Patchwork looks original and invariably brings warmth and comfort to any interior.
The easiest way to combine fabrics is to place translucent lace on a plain background. The design looks elegant and even modest; it will fit organically into almost any interior. If you are not sure about the possibility of combining fabrics of different colors and prints to create decorative pillows, then use a more or less neutral option that will look organically in your home. modern interior any room. Black and white print is quite conservative and can successfully fit into various options furnishings and color palette of the room. 
The combination of fabrics not only of different colors, but also textures looks luxurious. For example, elements made of leather or denim look great as decoration against the background of a plain thick fabric.
Drawings and other methods of color variety
Drawing on fabric is not one of the types of children's tricks for “transforming” the surrounding space, but an activity for fully grown people who want to create truly exclusive decorative items for their homes. There are many devices on sale for painting on fabric that can be used on various types textiles The pillows can then be washed. The drawing can be abstract (this can be created by a person without an art education, but with the obligatory desire to create an original, personalized item for his home)…
The print can be quite specific. Interesting way creating a drawing or pattern - using a stencil. The blank for transferring the pattern onto the fabric can be a twig or leaf, letters, geometric shapes, in short, any image that is convex enough to leave imprints on the pillow cover.
Second life for old things
Do not rush to throw away damaged or simply out of fashion items - they can become the basis for a new piece of furniture, for example, a cover for a decorative pillow. The advantage of this approach is not only in obtaining new decorative element(with a functional load, meanwhile), but also in the fact that you will not need to spend money on consumables. See what original products you can sew from an old shirt, dress or sweater 
Pillows for children's room
Making decorative pillows for children is a special pleasure. After all, such a textile element of the interior will not only perform its main functions, but also decorate the child’s room, and can become a favorite toy, a reason for gaining new knowledge and skills, sensations and impressions. When making pillows to decorate a children's room, it is important to understand that they will be used not only for their intended purpose, not only on the bed and sofa, in an armchair or on a chair, but also on the floor, and will actively participate in games.
IN Lately The production of pillow letters has become very popular, which can be used both for their intended purpose and as decoration and toys. Most often, for children's rooms, letters are made from which you can make up the child's name, or one capital letter of the name is sewn.
Every housewife dreams of something extra. One of the most interesting and easy-to-implement ideas is making decorative pillows with your own hands, amazing photos of which are presented in our review. It is with the help of such accents that one can consider it complete. And here you don’t need any professional skills, experience, or talent. Even a beginner can create a unique thing. In the review of the editorial site today we will show several master classes, with the help of which the principle of sewing decorative pillows will be clear, and you will be able to independently think through the design and bring all your creative fantasies to life.
General information for making your own decorative pillows for interior decoration
Before you sew a pillowcase for a sofa cushion with your own hands, you need to determine the sequence of work, what materials and tools should be prepared. In addition, it is important to know what load it will bear: decorative or functional; the choice of fabric and filler depends on this.
What tools do you need to prepare for work?
Depending on what the pillow will be made of, you need to prepare the appropriate tools. For a knitted product you will need yarn, knitting needles or a hook. For fabric decor you need the following materials and tools:
- needle, thread, ;
- paper for the diagram. It can be tracing paper or a regular newspaper;
- chalk, a special marker or a small piece of soap to transfer the pattern to the canvas;
- scissors.
Variety of shapes of decorative sofa pillows
Decorative pillows can not only have strict geometric shapes, but you can bring something creative to life. For example, the following forms look quite interesting in the interior:
- modular is a complex design consisting of several simple elements, sewn together using the technique;
- For children's rooms, you can make elements in the form of figures of numbers or letters. Besides decorative function, pillows will also develop the baby;
- For very small children, bumper pillows are sewn into the crib.
How to decorate decorative pillows
One of the simplest decorating techniques is the use of fabrics of several colors. The main thing is that they are combined and emphasize all the advantages. In addition, recently it has become very popular the following types decoration.
| Type of decoration | Description |
| The material is printed in the studio according to an individual sketch. |
| Any technique will do: cross stitch, satin stitch, ribbons. |
| You can simply decorate a pillow made of fabric; the tied edges look interesting. |
| They can be made from any material and secured completely to the pillow or left the edges free, sewing only the middle. |
Seal
Embroidery
Knitted lace
How to choose the right fabric, filling and accessories for a pillow
Before you sew a practical and beautiful pillow With your own hands, it is important to choose a material that will be easy to care for; in addition, it should not become electrified during operation. Suitable for this:
- silk and satin materials;
- crepe-satin, flannel, calico and linen fabrics;
- fabrics that are used as upholstery.
You can use it as an idea, from which you will get unusual and beautiful products.
Filler
If you don’t know what to fill your homemade pillow with, you need to familiarize yourself with the properties of each filler. You should choose a composition that will not fall into lumps after just a few days of use. In this regard, it is advisable to exclude cotton wool and padding polyester. Also, you should not use down and feathers; they are better used in pillows that are intended for sleeping. They do not hold their shape well, and this is the main thing for decorative products.
It is most practical to use:
- holofiber, its service life reaches 10 years;
- Silicone granules are an excellent option for baby pillows. In addition, if necessary, they can be drained to dry and reused.
Accessories
To sew a sofa cushion by hand or on a machine, you will need threads of the appropriate color and number, usually from 40 and above. For embroidery - floss. If you want to decorate your apartment with a knitted item, it all depends on the design of the pillow; you can use absolutely any yarn. Additionally, a zipper or buttons may be needed for a removable cover.
How to make a pattern and sew a pillow with your own hands
It’s not at all difficult to make any pillowcase with your own hands for a decorative pillow; you can try your hand at making simple product and then move on to more complex ones. To begin with, you should use a photo of the finished pattern from the Internet, and then work on the patterns yourself.
How to sew an original custom-design pillow with your own hands
Let's first try to make an interesting pillow in the shape of a donut with colored sprinkles, and step-by-step instructions will help us in this process.
| Illustration | Description of action |
 | Take fabric of two colors, fold it together, secure with safety needles, make the outline of the donut in any way in a convenient way and cut. |
 | Cut a small hole in the center. You can use a regular glass as a pattern. |
 | Machine sew the outer edges and turn the pillow inside out. front side and fill it with holofiber. |
 | The inner edges of the donut need to be glued together with hot glue. |
 | You can use colored string for an impromptu sprinkle on a donut. You need to cut it into small strips, singe the ends so that they do not crumble, and glue them with a hot gun. |
For a more detailed master class on making decorative pillows, watch the video. In addition, it contains a description of sewing a beautiful cloud that kids will really like.
How to properly sew an applique onto a decorative pillow
An interesting decoration option - such products can be used not only as an accent element, but also for sleeping. All work is performed in a certain sequence.
- Before you draw a pillow on the fabric, you need to prepare a pattern. After that, cut it out, not forgetting to allow seam allowances.
- Cut out appliqués from the material that will serve as decor. the right size. As a sample, you can take any drawing from the Internet or make your own sketch.
- For details, you can use different materials, both in color and texture, but no more than 4 types. There is no need to add seam allowances as the samples will be sewn onto the front side of the pillowcase. If the fabric is elastic, you can make allowances of about 0.5 cm, fold the material and.
- Pin or baste all the applique parts to the pillowcase, then sew them using a decorative seam by hand or with an overlocker.
- If desired, you can sew or glue decorative braid over the seam.
- After this, sew both parts of the pillowcase.
What is a shabby chic decorative pillow?
Warm and home interior Shabby chic is very popular lately. It is chosen not only by older people, but also by young girls and couples in love. To create decorative items in this style, various patterns and elements are sewn onto the front side. Required condition– there should be a lot of pillows.
You can sew several pillows of different parameters from fabric of a delicate shade, and a heart-shaped product is also welcome. Lace, ribbon roses and a large number of.
Home comfort with a knitted decorative pillow
If you don't know how to knit, use original idea making a pillow from an old sweater. To do this, you need to cut out the parts from the back and front, carefully collect the outer loops on a needle so that the product does not unravel during use.
To make brutal pillows, pay attention to samples made from large braids, zigzags or arans. To do this, you need to take dense yarn that holds its shape well. In a similar style, you can later knit a cozy blanket, cape or. Another knitting option is granny squares. They are made in plain colors or from threads different color. First you need to knit all the parts and then sew them together.
How to sew a decorative pillow in the shape of a cushion with your own hands
A bolster-shaped pillow can be used in several capacities:
- decorative accent on;
- as an additional pillow for;
- for pregnant.
Before you sew a bolster pillow with your own hands, you need to make a pattern. But simple design allows you not to use additional patterns, but to immediately cut the blank from the fabric. The sequence of actions is as follows.
- Cut out a base of 2 side circles with a diameter of 20 cm plus 1 cm for allowances from any natural fabric. All part sizes are arbitrary.
- Cut out the main part, the length of which is 61 cm, taking into account an allowance of 63 cm. The width of the part is 20 cm + 1 cm for seams.
- Sew a zipper along the long side on both sides.
- Turn the product right side out; the sides can be decorated with braid with pom-poms.
- Turn inside out and sew on the sides. Then fill the pillow with filler.
What types of decorative children's pillows are there?
None of them can do without decorative pillows. These can be soft animals, letters, educational tetris, cars or doll toys.
It is important! The fabric for children's pillows should be hypoallergenic. Fleece or similar soft material is suitable for these purposes. You can use synthetic granules as a filler.
How to make a baby pillow with your own hands in the shape of a flower
A pillow in the shape of a sun will be a child’s favorite. To make it you will need fabric of two colors and filler. You can take the pattern from the Internet or draw it yourself, there’s nothing complicated about it. The operating procedure is as follows.
- Cut out 5 petals from floral fabric, 5 from dark fabric and two centers from a plain material.
- Sew all the elements in pairs from fabric of two colors, leaving free place for filler.
- Place filler inside each element. The density is self-adjustable.
- Sew the base of the petals, collect and fasten them in the shape of a flower and sew on the middle.
Any pillow in the form of a toy is made in a similar sequence.
How to decorate a baby pillow with ribbons and bows
Decorations in the form of ruffles, frills, bows and lace are used to decorate a children's pillow. You can simply sew them along the perimeter, but products with elements diagonally or in a certain part of the pillowcase look much more interesting. If you are new to sewing, make a simple applique that you simply decorate with a satin ribbon. Professionals will certainly be able to make a complex textured decoration in the form of embroidery from ribbons.
Simple cut maternity pillow
A ready-made pillow for pregnant women is quite expensive, but we will save the family budget and sew it ourselves. For it we will need any natural fabric, which should first be ironed on high temperature so that it gives maximum shrinkage.
A variety of shapes and patterns for making your own pillows for pregnant women
Maternity pillows can be different shapes, each of ready-made models has its own merits. The expectant mother must independently decide which model is most convenient for her to use.
| Pattern | Pillow Shape |
 | Letter U. |
 | In the shape of a bagel. |
 | In the shape of a banana or boomerang. |
 | L-shaped. |
 | G-shaped. |
 | I-shaped. |
All sizes on the patterns are conditional, they can be changed if the expectant mother finds it more comfortable.
Surely, many homeowners have thought about how to refresh the interior of their home without repair work. And although some people think that it is impossible to do this, in fact, it is not so.
Using decorative pillows made with my own hands, you will not only bring new notes to the decor of the room, but also will not spend a lot of money on it. Profitable, isn't it?
In addition, we should not forget that a thing made with one’s own hands automatically becomes unique and inimitable. The pillows that the lady of the house personally worked on will become not only worthy decoration apartment, but also a real source of pride.
Today, there are quite a few options for sewing decorative pillows for the home. And therefore, in this case, everything largely depends on your imagination and the budget you have.
The more money you can spend on a product, the more expensive materials and fittings will be used. However, we hasten to assure you that even if you do not have the funds necessary to purchase expensive materials, this is not a reason to abandon our plans.
Choosing budget options, you can also create a beautiful, elegant or extravagant product that will amaze everyone who visits your home.
A little about decorative pillows
Pillows were first used as a decorative element quite a long time ago. With their help, designers set accents using products with bright colors or prints.
Over time, this became quite popular, with most novice designers adopting a simple but effective way to brighten up the background of a room. Products made in different color palettes began to appear.
Note! Chandelier made of threads - how to make it yourself? Step-by-step instruction with photos and videos!
The model range has been replenished with products decorated with stones, rhinestones, and embroidery. And since they were quite expensive, housewives began to “parody” branded goods.
And after some time, the “parody” became more popular and in demand than the original. This surprised few people, because the desire to purchase something unique, and not a product from an assembly line, is quite normal and understandable.
Most often, materials such as synthetic winterizer or holofiber are used as filler for decorative pillows. This choice is due to the fact that these materials hold their shape better than others and do not roll down.
It is impossible to achieve this using cotton wool or fluff as a filler. In addition, we should not forget that products made from them are quite heavy, while pillows made from the same padding polyester are not only lighter, but also comfortable.
Therefore, if you want to get not just a beautiful, but also a high-quality product, we recommend that you use the above materials for filling.
Decorative pillows come in different shapes. The choice regarding the shape of the product depends on the purpose for which you want to use the item.
If you plan to use the pillow not only as a decorative element, but also for its intended purpose, limit yourself to simpler shapes. A rectangle or square shape is ideal.
For those products that will be used only as decoration, you can choose absolutely any shape. Quite often you can find pillows not only in the shape of an oval or circle, but also in the shape of letters, animals, and other objects.
Such products look very creative and unusual. They can be successfully used to decorate a children's room.
Where to begin?
Have you come up with a great idea to decorate your interior with decorative pillows and are in a hurry to get to work? Then you should moderate your ardor and first think about what style your product will belong to.
Based on this, you can choose the most suitable shape, material and color palette. Always remember that the choice of fabric must be carried out according to the criteria and requirements that are directly imposed by the style.
The most popular are natural materials, which are most often used for sewing decorative pillows in Provencal or Scandinavian style.
And materials such as silk and satin are ideal for a classic style. For rooms decorated in country style, fabrics with natural colors and rough textures are very suitable.
If your house has rooms decorated in high-tech style, then it should be mentioned that the style itself does not accept the use of decorative elements. This means that decorative pillows should be used with extreme caution.
To harmoniously fit them into the overall design of the room, spend enough time selecting suitable color and shapes. Most optimal solution, according to designers, in this case it is sewing a rectangular or square pillow from artificial material. Fabric in mandatory should be smooth.
Particular attention should also be paid to the selection of accessories. Especially if it acts as a decorative rather than complementary element. After all, only French and romantic styles allow abundant use of fittings.
For other styles, this is completely unacceptable, since preference is given to a minimum of decorations. Of course, the product itself can be quite bright and catchy. However, there should not be an abundance of stones, rhinestones, buttons, or stripes.
Products decorated in this way will look ridiculous and inorganic. Therefore, if you do not want to violate the integrity of the style, you should not get too carried away in the decorating process.
Photos of decorative pillows in the interior
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Sometimes it happens that the interior seems familiar, monotonous, and you want to update it with something. Or vice versa, new design the room seems imperfect and something is missing. Do-it-yourself decorative pillows can be called a wonderful original addition to decorate a room, and at the same time your own comfort. We have prepared tips on how to create a beautiful pillow yourself in different styles and for various purposes.
If the product includes different types of fabrics, then needles of different thicknesses and suitable types of thread will be required
At first glance, it may seem scary to a beginner in sewing to take and sew a decorative pillow. But in fact, the technology of making a pillow is not such a complicated thing. How simpler form products, the easier it will be to work.
What tools are used for work
Whatever pillow you want to sew, the process of creating a miracle will require needles, threads in the color of the fabric, scissors, chalk (or a simple pencil), and paper for creating a pattern. In the case where the product has a special design, you need to have on hand all the components for the design of the product.
What forms can a decorative pillow on a sofa take?
In many photos of hand-sewn sofa pillows, there is a standard square shape. In addition to the usual square or rectangle, many people opt for a round shape.
Methods for decorating pillows
Patchwork is considered a favorite style that creates an atmosphere of comfort in the house. Not the easiest option for a beginner, but the result will be worth all the effort and perseverance.
The colors of the products can match the tone of the furniture or create a contrast. It all depends on whether you need to make an accent in the room, or whether it is worth emphasizing the unity of style.
Another common way to decorate a pillow is to sew a cover on it from an unwanted sweater or knit or crochet it. Such covers create a warm, homely atmosphere, and winter time you look at such a thing and warm up.
It turned out that tired jeans look great as pillows. In addition, they can be used without any problems for their intended purpose without the risk of damaging the decorative finish.
How do you feel about buffs? Just imagine in your hands a sliding satin, a thin needle... and several hours of painstaking work. But as a result, exquisite beauty will settle on the sofa. What are buffs? These are waves of fabric, fixed according to a certain pattern.
You can list all possible types of decor until the morning, but it’s worth spending time on other aspects of creating pillow beauty.
How to choose fabric for a cover, accessories and stuffing for a pillow
Finding an idea for decor is only half the battle. You also need to select fabric, padding and accessories, if required. Typically, buttons, rivets or a zipper are used for such products. It is better to sew the latter in the most inconspicuous way, so that neither the geometry of the product nor its appearance. Fabrics that are respected in the pillow business: satin, burlap, cotton, linen, upholstery fabrics, fur, jeans.
How to stuff your pillow with your own hands? Of course, not with cotton wool or a feather. We settle on synthetic padding in any form or fibertech. These are hypoallergenic and non-caking materials even after washing.
How to make a pillow with your own hands - step-by-step instructions
How to sew a pillow for a sofa with your own hands? We get an idea or take our own, select tools, fabric, padding and get down to business!
How to sew an original fancy-shaped pillow with your own hands
If the form is not simple, then it will take more time to create a good thing.
Why not? We bring to your attention a detailed master class.
| Illustration | Description of action |
|---|---|
 | For work you need such patterns. |
 | We prepare a set of patterns using patterns. There should be 6 circles of each diameter. |
 | The core will require these parts. The edges of the strips are rounded. |
 | We make a petal from two fabrics, trim the edge with bias tape, but leave a hole at the end for stuffing. |
 | We put padding polyester inside, sew the edge with a hidden seam and form a petal with thread and needle. |
 | We sew all the petals one by one onto the base. |
 | Lastly, we sew a long petal twisted around itself into the middle. |
How to create a decorative pillow with applique
Let's remember our childhood, when we created masterpieces from the remains of colored paper. It’s the same with appliqué on a pillow: we take scraps of any fabrics suitable for the design, tape for appliqués on fabrics, fabric for a pillowcase and tailor’s tools.
The instructions for use are simple:
- First, the composition is placed and, when the design takes on its final form, the flaps are glued to the base using a hot iron.
- Then the blanks of the required shape are cut out with scissors. Let's try to cut out the leaves and trunk of the tree.
- Delete paper base tape and place the blanks on one side of the future pillowcase.
- The application is fixed using a heated iron. Now all the elements need to be flashed sewing machine, retreating from the edge by 2-3 mm, using any seam.
We sew the pillowcase from the back and front sides, and then put the product on the pillow.
How to make a decorative pillow in shabby chic style
The shabby chic style (literally “shabby chic”) is associated with romantic feelings and retro memories. To fully immerse yourself in the image, linen, cotton, and silk are used.
As a print, you should take flowers, pastoral, angels, birds, butterflies. The pillow is decorated in shabby chic style with lace, frills, voluminous fabric flowers, ribbons, and embroidery.
To work you will need filler, fabric and a tailor's kit. The shape of the future cushion is cut out of the fabric according to the pattern and separately strips with a processed edge for the flounce. First, the flounce is sewn to the front side, and then the back and front sides are sewn from the wrong side. Once the filler is inside, the edges of the product are sewn together.
How to knit a decorative pillow
If you really want to work with knitting needles, then here’s an idea for you.
Here's a diagram for you.
This product serves more as a cover than as a base for a pillow.
How to sew a pillow in the shape of a bolster
The cushion under the head is very comfortable. How to sew a bolster pillow with your own hands? Patterns will help!
We sew the rectangle into a ring, not forgetting about the drawstring around the edge if the pillow is in the shape of a candy. Then insert the cord into the drawstring.
Advice! Such pillows can be decorated with lace.
How to sew a decorative baby pillow
A children's room will look more fun if it contains toy pillows. These are non-standard shaped products, sewn with caring hands, will become simply faithful friends to the child.
Handmade children's pillow in the form of a toy
To inspire you to create a miracle for your child, we suggest viewing a small gallery of toy pillows.
Fur can be used old sweater, felt, flannel, plush.
You can draw your own sketch as a pattern, or take a ready-made one from the master class. Suitable fabrics include fleece and felt for the face:
- Templates of all parts are transferred to the fabric and cut out taking into account the seam allowance. The body consists of a rectangle, and the front and back parts are made of circles.
- The parts are sewn from the wrong side, starting with the cat's ears.
- The ears are sewn in and all the seams are machine sewn. Leave a hole at the bottom for stuffing.
- The muzzle can be drawn with acrylic paint, waterproof felt-tip pens, or sewn on felt parts.
Important! For any decor, especially those involving small details, the work must be securely and firmly sewn. All parts must be sewn, not glued.
Article
Sewing pillows with your own hands means not only saving on bedding, but also decorating your interior, giving it individuality using simple and inexpensive means. Looking at the photo homemade pillows on the Internet, it may seem that you need a lot of experience or innate talent. But the same problems can be solved much more simply, and certainly, when sewing pillows, it is possible to go from simple to complex, ultimately creating things worthy of prizes at amateur art exhibitions. This article is intended to help readers overcome several stages of this path.
What you need to know right away
It is not always possible to sew original pillows as simple sleeping pillows, in the form of a base and a pillowcase. That's why Special attention You need to pay attention to the choice of fabric and padding. The pillow is conducive to sleep, and someday someone will fall asleep on it. Probably tired, with unwashed and unkempt hair: when your eyes are stuck together, there is no time to look at beauty, it would be a good place to lay your head. That is, the covering fabric should not only accept finishing well, but also be cleanable. And the best thing is that the stuffing can be removed and the cover washed without spoiling its decor. In addition, the filling itself should maintain hygienic qualities, elasticity and be moderately pliable for as long as possible. We will return to materials for pillows that meet these requirements, but for now we will discuss ways to decorate them from simple to complex, keeping in mind the above.
Methods for decorating pillows
Colors
The easiest way to sew decorative pillows in the same way as regular sleeping pillows is to choose the color of the fabric. And the simplest of all simple solution– several pillows of different colors, forming an ensemble that fits into the interior. In this way, you can not only turn a cocotte’s boudoir into something like a soft fluffy cloud, but also express the individuality of laconic interior styles. This kind of work, I must say, is mentally very difficult, but technologically and financially elementary. For example, on the left in Fig. It’s no wonder that a sofa with a composition of pillows is placed against the backdrop of a window (painting?) with living greenery contrasting with the overall tone, and a flower in a vase is placed to the right of the sofa.
In the center in Fig. a method based on similar aesthetic principles, but not requiring a laconic interior and special organization placement of his items. The point here is that the background of the furniture upholstery and the cushion cover is the same, as is the tone and density of the pattern in both, but the designs of the patterns are slightly different. And the pillow is highlighted wide, the so-called. French, edging, the same as the general background, but of a darker color; The color is slightly lighter on the lower and side parts of the furniture upholstery.
Finally, on the right in Fig. shows a way to give a pillow, by choosing the color of the fabric, what is said to be aesthetic self-sufficiency, i.e. the ability to express the meaning inherent in it by the craftswoman in any environment. Imagine such a pillow in... a garbage dump. Will she look worse there? And the point here is not only and not so much in the choice of 2-3, no more, catchy colors that make up a fairly large pattern, but also in the arrangement of stylized images of flowers on the visible surface of the thing.
Applications and printing
Decorating pillows with appliqués can be just a little more technically difficult, but no less expressive. Here, as before. In this case, the key to success is the artistic taste of the author and, preferably, the combination of at least 2 things into an ensemble, and, unlike the use of colors, its meaning can be absolutely clear to the point of frivolity, as on the left in the row of photos, but obscenity is morally healthy a person will see in this composition no more than in a normal marital relationship.
An expanded multi-valued composition of pillows with appliqués is technically more difficult to execute, and there is a risk of running into flickering. However, these days, photo printing on fabric is affordable, and the images are durable and of the same quality that the texture of the material allows. So, when considering a multi-pillow group with pictures, first of all it is worth considering the option of photo printing on blanks, in the center in the figure, especially since you can select/create pictures and model the entire ensemble in advance on a computer.
Note: Modern technology of photo printing on fabric allows you to create images that are visually equivalent to embroidery. Flaps with printed pictures can also form the basis of an applique, on the right in Fig.
Form and fragment
Majority good designers prefers to work with form, considering it the root cause of the expressiveness of things, and color, texture and design/pattern as factors of the next orders of magnitude. One-, two-, or three-tone sofa cushions, the aesthetic value of which is achieved by the form, can also be technologically simple (item 1 in the figure) due to the use modern materials, see below.
When working with a form, it becomes possible to apply new approach meaningful decoration of things: modularity, pos. 2. Technologically, in this case, labor intensity only monotonically increases without the emergence of fundamental difficulties, because All modules assembled into the product are structurally similar and simple. But in such cases, you need to think about how to clean it, unless you want to completely redo it at least once every 1-2 years. A furniture vacuum cleaner and cleaning products for it are understandable, but it is necessary to use them less often.
The modular principle also allows, without a significant increase in labor intensity, to create sewn items of simple shape, in which the form nevertheless works for aesthetics. This is the so-called. patchwork technique; simply patchwork. Patchwork is not necessarily something deliberately rough, rough, or even tacky.
Decorative pillows using the patchwork technique can be sewn gracefully and neatly without agonizing thoughts and looking at samples/sketches until it hurts your eyes, poses. 3 and 4. Only needed key element(mainly in the center), in harmony with the overall design of the thing, but also standing out in some way. At pos. 3 this is achieved by a pattern of the same tone, but much larger than that of the elements of one diagonal and at the same time, naturally, smaller than the solid color filling of the squares of the other. And at pos. The 4th key, on the contrary, is distinguished by its shape, small size and relief (convexity).
Key element
In general, a compact key element(s) can add elegance to a pillow made in any technique. For example, at pos. 1 pic., the key is a simple button combined with a turn of scraps of fabric with a trivial black and white geometric pattern, right down to scraps of an old mattress. If using a brighter, more colorful material instead of a fabric-covered button, a button with a round gathered bow, pos. 4.
At pos. 2 tassels and a button elevate pillows made of modestly colored fabric. This approach is attractive because it is possible to use furniture upholstery and even technical fabrics that do not get dirty easily, are easy to clean, but are not bright and shiny. And at pos. 3 is an example of how brushes add aesthetic value to a pillow with a pattern that is too small for this purpose. Perhaps the larger pattern somehow didn’t fit into the overall design, but the pillow still needed decorative self-sufficiency, so the brushes came to the rescue.
Note: a single brush on the corner of the pillow can play, without losing its aesthetic value, a purely utilitarian role, hiding the last seam, see below. In this case, it can be successfully replaced with a pompom. How to make a brush and pompom with your own hands, see next. Fig., but in general, you need to be careful with tassels and pom-poms as numerous elements of the main decoration of pillows, see below.
Lace, knitting and embroidery
All these methods of decorating pillows (see fig.) have in common that things, on the one hand, are labor-intensive and difficult to perform (unless ready-made lace or organdy is used). On the other hand, lace and knitted pillows on the sofa provide not only a magnificent aesthetic effect, but also respect with prestige: complex quality work speaks for itself. Moreover, all such things are cleaned and washed many times: people have been weaving lace and knitting for centuries; Both skills are quite adapted to washing much more harshly than in a modern washing machine with synthetic detergents.
In knitted ones sofa cushions there is one more advantage: they mask the last seam without any difficulty, see below. And, by the way, thanks to this same circumstance, knitted decorative pillows can be very simple to make if you sew them from old sweaters, as on the right in Fig.
About knitwear
Knitwear as a material for covering a pillow retains all the advantages of knitted items, incl. the ability to conduct a hidden facial seam. It also has its own special advantages. Firstly, the softness of the surface - wool sometimes “bites” the face, and knitting from mohair or down is more difficult. Secondly, accessibility: who hasn’t had to wonder what to do with the sweaters and blouses of a grown child? Stuff it with holofiber (see below), sew up the armholes, embellish it a little - and in an hour and a half a good original pillow is ready from scrap materials, see fig. Whether it will fit in the living room is a matter of overall design, but as a pillow for a nursery it will be quite in its place. You can also sleep on it without risking button marks on your cheek: you turn it over, and that’s it.
About embroidery on pillows
For those who know how to embroider, a pillow is a beneficial canvas in all respects, see figure:
If you want to embroider across the entire field, you will need a special frame-shaped hoop; the canvas in it is stretched (unfolded) with harsh threads. Drawing, pattern - everything here is at your discretion and skill, but there are some features compared to embroidery of other things:
- There is no need to embroider with beads, it will be unhygienic and inconvenient. It is impossible to completely remove dirt particles from the holes in the beads using any known methods of cleaning pillows, and lying down on the beaded surface is also not very pleasant;
- Cross stitch: satin stitch embroidery under the head/body quickly gets dirty and slips, and wrinkles when washed;
- When embroidering across the entire field, make a continuous wide edging: it is just as easy to hide the last seam in it as in a knitted pillow.
Relief
Relief decor: fringe, bows, frills, puffs, intarsia, weaving, voluminous appliqués (stripes), quilting, etc., etc., see fig. – widely used for finishing pillows, because allows you to achieve stunning aesthetic effects. However, when starting your first (or next) masterpiece, keep in mind, firstly, that creating beauty using the “I want a lot of everything!” And more!”, is wrong in principle. You need to understand what you feel, what you want, and express it through the means available to you. Which do not necessarily have to be sophisticated and intricate.
Secondly, remember - you are not the trusted seamstress of the Marquise of Pompadour or the Countess deMoncero. The beauty you created with your own hands is unspeakable and you have to wash it once. And the point is not only whether this thing can withstand washing, but also whether the machine can withstand washing such a thing. Not so, the hour is uneven, you will have to master interesting, but by no means simple, repair methods washing machines. The fringe with tassels can still be torn off and sewn on again, but for a stained, labor-intensive pom-pom pillow, it’s hard to think of anything better than throwing it away and making a new one. If you have enough spirit for it after such an opportunity.
However, dissuading people from striving for beauty is pointless, and even unbecoming. So about every case in Fig. Above are 2 ways to make roses from felt or cotton pads. If necessary, such flowers can be easily removed and then sewn on again. Or simply make new ones to replace worn ones.
And in Fig. on the right - advice about bows: take as a basis the same principle of laconicism, it will never let you down, and make simple bows so that they can be untied and tied for caring for the pillow. That pillow is made of burlap, but does it look good?
About buffs
Puffs on a suitable fabric, smooth and glossy, are another matter. When done correctly, they can be vacuumed and hand washed without any problems. And making all this splendor is not as difficult as it seems. First you need to learn how to read the diagrams for assembling puffs (assembling them, as sewing makers say).
As an example, diagrams for assembling simple puffs are shown in Fig. below. All puff patterns are built on an orthogonal-diagonal grid, the module of which (the side of the square) is 2-7 cm, depending on the size of the product and the density of the fabric. The grid in the diagram can be shown explicitly, as on the right in the figure, or its nodes can only be marked with dots, as on the left. The mesh is applied to the back of the workpiece with a textile marker in a mirror image.
Further, areas that are contracted (collected, assembled) into a buffer are marked either with converging arrows (on the left) or red lines (on the right), and those that are not contracted are marked with simple thin lines. The puffs can be assembled either with one thread or separately. The first method is for the lazy, because... a web of threads is formed from the inside. In any case, each puff is assembled with at least 3 stitches 4-5 mm wide, unless otherwise indicated in the notes to the pattern.
Then, the assembly sequence. It is produced in horizontal or vertical rows, again, unless otherwise indicated in the description of the pattern. In the case where the rows are indicated explicitly (on the left), they are displayed in numbering order and the buffs in the row are also assembled by numbers; here – Row 1 1-2, 3-4, etc., then Row 2 and so on. In the absence of an explicit indication of the rows (on the right), the puffs are assembled simply in numerical order; according to the diagram on the right - 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, etc.
Try to assemble any scrap of fabric into puffs according to these entry-level patterns, and you will see that it will take little time, even if you assemble one at a time. And then watching a selection of master classes on making pillows with puffs that are much more spectacular and complex won’t seem like a nightmare:
Video: DIY buffalo pillows, master classes
About figurine pillows
The principle “You don’t need a lot of things! And simpler!” It is especially appropriate in relation to decorative pillows, which work aesthetically primarily through form. They are often sewn using patterns for soft toys, forgetting that a sewn cat does not know how to wash its own tail. And he will have to take on not only room dust, but also grease. Perhaps, especially when it comes to children's pillows, there are, so to speak, volley emissions of pollutants of biogenic origin.
In addition, they not only jump and ride on children's pillows; They not only fight and throw them around, they also sleep on them. And sleeping with your head askew, with your head slid to one side, is in no way beneficial to your developing skeleton. This especially needs to be taken into account when sewing a children's toy pillow; For example, we give the patterns in Fig.
On the left is a fish pillow. The shape and execution technique seem to have been chosen correctly: it is quite easy to care for, the last seam can be covered with a tail or fins. But the sleeper’s head may slide to one side, the shoulder will follow it and it will turn out that we are sleeping hunched over. The owl pillow, top right, is free from this drawback: the “ears” will hold. For those who toss and turn a lot in their sleep, it is better to place such a pillow with a deflection between the “ears” towards the neck; This pattern can easily be adapted for a cat pillow, only without the tail. In both versions, it is advisable to make the cut diagonal for better ergonomics as a sleeping accessory, see below.
Note: for children - irrepressible sleepy fidgeters - below right is a pattern of a special pillow on which the child automatically learns to sleep on his back or on his side, stretched out freely.
Pillows in the form of letters (see figure) have moved even closer from pillows to soft toys than pillows-figures: there are a lot of holes in them, where to sleep. It is believed that letter pillows are educational, developing, etc. Well, perhaps to coordinate movements and orientation in space, to climb between them large, like in a maze. As for the speedy learning of literacy, this has not yet been confirmed by science. However, no harm was noted from pillows in the form of letters, and the fun for the child is already a benefit for him.
Large letter pillows must hold their shape well and withstand the appropriate operating conditions, in relation to which small users show amazing ingenuity. One of the design options of this kind is shown in Fig.:
Foam rubber 45 is furniture foam rubber of the highest density; We’ll talk about what holofiber is below. Of course, other methods of sewing letter pillows are also possible, see for example. next video.
Note: diagram in fig. It is also suitable for stuffing bolster pillows, if it is desirable to have their ends rounded.
Video: do-it-yourself letter pillows, manufacturing option
About puzzle pillows
Pillows in the form of elements of prefabricated Puzzle mosaic paintings are also quite popular. It is believed that, if necessary, they can be assembled into a mattress. It is possible to collect something, yes, then yes. But anyone who has tried to sleep on such a mattress knows: it is impossible, it is crawling under you. Pillows, unlike puzzle pieces, are soft and pliable, otherwise you’ll end up with some kind of bunks instead of pillows.
Materials and technology
We will not expand on the fact that when sewing you need to give cuffs of 20-30 mm, iron them, sew from the inside out and then turn the product inside out, etc., which is well known. In this section we will talk about things that are not always known to beginning seamstresses.
Textile
To properly sew a pillow without a pillowcase that is comfortable, hygienic, practical and durable, you need to choose the right fabric. Firstly, dirt particles should not stick to its fibers so that they can be sucked out with a vacuum cleaner without the use of detergents. Secondly, the covering fabric should, as far as possible, prevent dirt from migrating into the padding, which is difficult to clean and change. These conditions are made from light, smooth and bright textile materials silk, satin, crepe-satin and their synthetic analogues satisfy. Light but soft - calico, flannel and other linen fabrics. Rough, but very durable - any furniture upholstery materials. Also, depending on the style of execution, it is possible to use any technical fabrics, except, perhaps, propylene matting and the like - too slippery, but at the same time rough and harsh.
Warp and weft
When cutting a pillow, the orientation of the warp and weft threads of the fabric matters. Orthogonal (straight) orientation, when the warp and weft are oriented perpendicularly (along) respectively. sides, allows you to more accurately maintain the shape of the pillow according to the pattern. But, if a straight-cut pillow with sharp corners is stuffed with sufficiently dense material, its corners may turn out to be empty and sag, pos. 1 in Fig.
In pillows with a diagonal cut (the warp and weft are at 45 degrees to the sides), the corners will always be full, but a “waist” will appear that is larger than provided by the pattern, pos. 2. If the pillow is elongated, the thinnest “waist” will be on the long sides, pos. 3, which is not always desirable. In this case, the use of satin or twill weave fabric, pos. 4.
Padding
However, feather/down filling, firstly, is not elastic enough for decorative pillows; they are not fluffed like sleeping pillows, due to the rapid deterioration of the finish from such treatment. Secondly, small soft feathers and natural down for stuffing pillows are difficult to obtain. In the old days, the whole family collected feathers and down for years for the future bride for her wedding feather bed (an indispensable attribute of the dowry).
Nowadays, almost ideal stuffing materials for pillows have been developed - synthetic down and holofiber. In terms of hygiene, they are not inferior to swan's down; however, not for the lifetime of generations, but up to 7-10 years. On the other hand, the decor of the pillow no longer lives. But these materials have an undoubted advantage: they are moderately elastic and retain this quality for years.
In essence, synthetic down and holofiber are the same material based on the finest tangled polyester fibers; This is the same polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that food utensils and bottles are made from. Synthetic fluff is produced in the form of fluffy granules (on the left in the figure), and holofiber undergoes additional molding and goes on sale in sheets (plates), on the right there.
Sheet holofiber keeps its shape as well as the best furniture foam rubber. By the way, in letter pillows (see above) you can make the entire base from it, but it will not be cheap: sheet holofiber is much more expensive than foam rubber, and the waste of material in this case is large. But where sheet holofiber is indispensable is in the manufacture of cloud pillows and other complex irregular shapes: the workpiece must be trimmed with scissors, and then covered with fabric in place without a pattern.
Another filling material that is particularly suitable for baby pillows is rounded silicone beads. They don't get wet, that's it. Two - silicone granules can be poured into the case through an armhole only 2-4 cm wide, which greatly simplifies the problem of the last seam. Three - the cover from them can be emptied through the same armhole, and the granules can be washed manually in a basin. In a car - under no circumstances, it will fail instantly! Washed and dried silicone granules can be put back into the same case; the pillow will be the same as before.
Note: All of the above regarding the sanitary and hygienic properties of silicone granules does not apply to polystyrene foam granules that fill frameless furniture.
The last seam...
...he is the most difficult. You probably already guessed that this is the same seam that needs to be sewn up from the face when the pillow is already turned out and stuffed. It is usually recommended to sew in a zipper in advance for this purpose. In relation to, say, a bean bag or other frameless furniture this is truly the best option.
But the pillow does not have a bottom or a back, on which people never sit, sleep, or lean on them, and there is no point in waking up with the imprint of a fastener on your cheek under any circumstances. As for the stronger sex, a pillow with a zipper can cling to their mustache, beard and just 3-5 day stubble. The pillow stuck to the person harmonizes perfectly with the rumpled face, but only in a comic sense.
With knitted, knitted and embroidered pillows with piping there is no problem at all if the thread for the last seam is taken to match the material of the face: stitches of only 1-2 mm in this case are completely pulled into it and turn out to be quite durable. Good options are also a solid narrow textile edging in a color that matches the overall color, see picture, lace or ruffled border, trim, etc. However, the universal solution for the last seam is a narrow, 2-4 cm, armhole in the corner. Through it, you can stuff the pillow with synthetic down or silicone granules, and disguise the front seam with a brush or pom-pom. If necessary, synthetic fluff is pulled out in shreds crochet. At first, the silicone granules are simply squeezed out like paste from a tube, and the remainder is removed from the inside-out case.
About seamless pillows
Representatives of nomadic professions and residents of student dormitories from the pre-Khrushchev era have long been familiar with such things. A beautiful scarf allows you to make decorative seamless pillows in just minutes; the base can be either an ordinary pillow, a piece of foam rubber cut to shape, or just a wad of rags. How this magnificent illustration of the saying “The need for invention is cunning” is created is shown in the figure:
You can tie a curly knot or straighten its ends into a socket and grab it with threads; however, this would be a formal violation of the “seamless” principle. In this case, something like the rosette described above will also fit in the center.