Bright pillows with their own hands. DIY pillow toy patterns: a master class for adults and children

Do-it-yourself pillows and they will become bright accent in your apartment or country house. Even just by changing pillowcases on them, you can set the tone for the entire space - from gentle or playful to strict and restrained.

Advice! Buying designer pillows (they are, by the way, not cheap) is not at all necessary: it is enough to arm yourself necessary materials and use your imagination.

We offer you a selection interesting ideas to create original decorative pillows do it yourself and we hope that soon these lovely new settlers will sparkle with colors in your interior and bring their share Have a good mood in House.

DIY decorative pillows: subtleties of materials

If you decide to make a decorative pillow with your own hands inside and out, you will need to stock up not only with ideas, but also with everything you need to create it. First of all, you need to decide on the material. For this purpose, fabrics intended for furniture upholstery as well as cotton linen and even sometimes jersey (carefully: the material is rather capricious). In addition, jeans, felt, fleece and canvas fabric are perfect for creating a pillow.

Advice! Sewing pillows from old favorite clothes is also a great creative idea.

Without combinations of different fabrics in this process you can hardly do without, so make sure that fabrics that do not stretch do not fit with stretch fabrics, otherwise, after stuffing, it may turn out not to be a pillow, but something shapeless. If you know how to knit, then this skill will be a great bonus, because knitted pillows look quite stylish and unusual. Yes, and try to use fur: a short pile or a long one - it's up to you, so long as it does not crumble.

What to stuff a pillow with?

It should be noted right away that it is better not to use cotton wool for stuffing - it will go astray pretty soon. Take better sintepon. True, if you use the pillow for its intended purpose, then it will also lose a little in volume.

Advice! The ideal option for stuffing will be a synthetic winterizer or fibertek, which can be purchased at a fabric store. These materials are unique in their kind, because they do not stray, do not cake, are absolutely hypoallergenic and, in addition, retain splendor and volume even after washing.

Tools

For work you will need:

needles;
Threads - they need to be selected according to the color and thickness of the fabric. In addition, you may need knitting or floss threads when it comes to making decorative stitches by hand or decorating a pillow;
Scissors;
Chalk (pen, pencil, marker or soap to transfer the pattern to the fabric);
Also stock up on pattern paper and other sewing items that you normally use.
Pick up all the necessary tools for knitting or embroidery, if you decide to do them.

Note! Of course, it's great if you have a sewing machine at home, but if you don't have one, don't worry. You can also sew a pillow by hand, only it will take more time.

DIY pillowcases for decorative pillows

From regular pillow it is quite possible to make a decorative one by using a pillowcase created by oneself for this. In this case, its decorative effect will not decrease in any way, but the hassle with tailoring will be much less.

Fur

Do-it-yourself decorative pillow (pillowcase) made of fur is created in a few hours. To do this, you can use both artificial fur and natural.

Note! The fur material is specific, so special skills and tools are needed to work with it - you cannot sew such a pillowcase on a regular sewing machine.

A huge advantage of such a pillowcase is the ability to create it from pieces, so it will look even more original. Do not forget that the seams on the fur must be made strong and flat, then the pillow elements will not fall apart.

Jeans

Another fertile material for creating a pillowcase is denim. Decorative pillow case with your own hands from old jeans is original and stylish. Main advantages:

The ability to reuse the material. That is, for tailoring you do not need to purchase new matter, old denim items are quite suitable. Attrition will give the product charm.
Creation speed. Jeans can be sewn both by hand (although this is not easy, especially if the denim is tight), and on a sewing machine.
A denim pillowcase will look original.
From pieces of trousers you can create original product in the patchwork technique, due to the fact that the colors of the jeans are varied, and you can even make up a whole artistic composition.

Decor and design

Well, if you have a base (that is, a ready-made pillow), and you will create a pillowcase, stock up on all kinds of a variety of materials and more - here the choice depends only on your imagination. So, lovers of embroidery can. A variety of techniques - satin stitch, cross stitch, decorative stitches - and a wide range of thread colors allow you to create your own little work of art. By the way, an interesting effect when embroidering a pattern is given by a combination of thin and thick yarn for knitting. Only for this you need a thick needle.

To diversify the interior of the living room, it is not at all necessary to rearrange the furniture or change the wallpaper. Original and unusual pillows that are easy to sew with your own hands will help to add zest to your relaxation area. How to do this is very simple, show a little imagination, and bright fabrics and shreds will also help you.

The shape of the pillow can be very different - from simple rectangular to stylish and unusual hearts or animal figures. Take the material for it dense enough - satin, brocade, fleece, you can sew fur pillows or patchwork products. Choose the color scheme at your discretion, but the fabric should be in harmony with the overall interior of the sofa and the room. For summer, “cool” fabrics, such as satin or silk, are well suited. The pillow should be stuffed with synthetic winterizer or synthetic fluff, you can also use foam rubber or fiberglass. These fillers perfectly keep their shape after washing, give the product splendor and softness, they are hypoallergenic. Do not stuff with feathers or cotton wool, they quickly crumple, lose their shape and can cause allergic reactions. The pillow can be decorated various elements. For example, make embroidery on the finished product or sew on a figure cut out of fabric. Suitable for decorating zippers, bows, buttons, beads, lace.

To sew a simple rectangular sofa cushion, you will need:

Dense plain fabric for the pillow itself;
Bright and original fabric for a pillowcase;
Decor elements;
Threads that match the tone;
Filler;
Needle, pins, scissors, thread;
Sewing machine.

Decide on the size of the pillow. The optimal size for a sofa is a square of 40x40 cm.

Fold the plain fabric in half, right side inward. We designate a square on the fabric required size, plus 2 cm on each side we leave for allowances. We cut out the square with sharp scissors and fasten it with pins around the perimeter, or you can sweep the details with a free seam. We sew the base of the pillow on a typewriter, leaving small space for stuffing, turn inside out and fill with filler. The hole through which we stuffed the pillow can be sewn up manually, or you can sew in a zipper - it is more convenient to replace the filler and wash the pillow. The main part of the product is ready. Now let's start sewing a bright pillowcase or pillow cover. The cutting principle is the same - we cut out 2 squares, 3 cm larger than the base. You can make a cover with a zipper, or you can cut out the back part 20 cm longer and bend it like a regular pillowcase. We sweep the cut parts with our hands and sew them on a typewriter. We sew a zipper on one side. We turn the finished pillowcase inside out and put it on the pillow. A stylish do-it-yourself sofa pillow is ready.

Decorate the pillow with a ribbon or lace piping, sewn in around the perimeter. Or sew any other on the case interesting elements. Also, after practicing a little, sew a pillow of an interesting shape - round, oval, in the shape of a heart.

How to make and decorate a decorative pillow yourself: instructions with a photo

If you think that decorating a room with decorative pillows- this is a manifestation of philistinism, you are deeply mistaken. There are many styles of decorating a room where "dumki" various forms, colors and sizes play an important accent or background role. Original handmade decorative pillows help to create coziness, moreover, they are very practical.

Without pillows, a beautifully decorated room will not look complete. They can be used to enhance the effect of a favorite color or to unify the tones and textures of an entire room.

For a relatively small investment of time and money, new DIY throw pillows can spice up decor or change the whole atmosphere of a room. bright flowers, for example, are able to bring a little bit of summer; a beautiful tartan in a box will remind you of the comfort of winter; red and green pillows will create a festive atmosphere.

At your request, you can sew decorative pillows with your own hands in any size or shape. They can be strong enough to withstand children's battles, or made of fabrics so thin that they can only be shown. You can decorate them simply or elegantly, make them large or small, stuffed with foam rubber, fibers or feathers. But in order for you to turn all these possibilities into reality, there are a few things you need to know first.

Video, photo and step by step master classes on making decorative pillows with your own hands, as well as tips on their design are presented on this page.

How to fill a decorative pillow made by yourself

When you make pillows yourself, you not only decide how they look on the outside, but also choose the filling for them. There are many options for you to choose from. Below is a description of how you can fill a decorative pillow for decorating a room.

These photos show the options for filling do-it-yourself decorative pillows:

Goose down or feather.

goose down is perhaps the first (and still the most luxurious) pillow filler. It is valued for its elasticity and comfort. Because it is expensive, it is often mixed with (or even replaced with) feather. Feather is not as warm as down, but this quality is more appreciated in duvets than in pillows.

However, a feather, especially a rough and large one, tends to crawl out through the fabric. Feathers pop out between the threads of the fabric or along the seams. Besides the fact that such feathers create some sloppiness, they can prick unpleasantly with their sharp tips. Another disadvantage is that many people are allergic to feathers.

Fiberfill.

Fiber filling, which consists of polyester fibers made like a feather, is the most practical option for home crafters. It is inexpensive, does not cause allergies and has a very pleasant and comfortable flexibility and resilience.

You can purchase pre-quilted cushion fiber in all basic shapes, or you can buy the fiber raw by weight and then cut it into the cushion shape you like.

Foam filler.

Polyurethane foam is the basis for several basic types of pillows. All these forms are easy to wash and dry. There are several options:

Foam blocks: filling suitable for seat cushions. Since such blocks are resilient, they are comfortable to sit on and always return to their original position. original form and therefore have a good appearance when not in use. Before stuffing a decorative pillow made by oneself with foam blocks, they can be cut, giving the most intricate curves and angles.

Foam pieces: they can be used to fill pre-quilted, inexpensive pillowcases. However, due to the fact that the pieces of foam rubber are very springy, they are usually too elastic, which is not convenient. This type of filling also tends to have a lumpy appearance even when covered with a thick cloth.

Foam sheets: pre-formed and stitched, foam sheets give a much more attractive appearance than foam rubber pieces. However, these sheets are also distinguished by great elasticity, which is why they react to touch like a springboard. In fact, the muscles of the neck have to work hard to adapt to such foam rubber, and therefore some people feel tired after sleeping on such a pillow at night.

Sewing decorative pillows with a hidden seam with your own hands

Simple decorative pillows are two panels sewn together and then stuffed to shape with filler. This type of pillow is thicker in the center and flatter at the edges. Most decorative pillows, all bed cushions, and some types of chair cushions are so-called sharp-edged cushions.

Beautiful handmade decorative pillows can be square, rectangular, round or curly. The fabric you choose also has a wide range of decorative possibilities. You can make the top and bottom of the pillow in the same fabric, or in contrasting materials, or add your own. decorative ornaments. This article talks about several options for choosing fabric and making a decorative pillow.

The easiest technique in terms of tailoring is to make decorative pillows with your own hands, closing the unsewn place. blind seam, and it is this closing method that is used in most instructions.

However, this type of closure also has its drawbacks. If the pillow needs to be cleaned, you must either wash it or dry clean it as a whole, or you can remove the cover from it and clean everything separately, then reinsert the filling into the cover and close the cover with a blind seam.

This manufacturing method is used for decorative pillows filled with fibers that can be washed or for items that rarely need to be cleaned. However, if proper care is your top priority, then you might want to consider one of the following. alternative methods closing the opening: sew in a zipper or a strip with hook and eye fasteners, or make an opening in the form of an envelope. All this is suitable for decorative pillows.

Below you will learn how to sew a decorative pillow with a zipper.

How to sew a decorative pillow with a zipper: a step-by-step master class

To sew the throw pillow as described below, use a zipper that is about 2 inches shorter than the length of the opening (minus the seam allowance). For example, for square cushion 35 cm will require a 30 cm zipper.

A master class on how to sew a decorative pillow with a zipper with your own hands is as follows:

How to make a decorative pillow with a hook-and-loop closure

To make such a pillow, you need to use Velcro tape or another hook-and-loop fastener shorter than the length of the opening (minus seam allowances).

Instructions on how to make a decorative pillow with a hook-and-loop fastener with your own hands:

These photos show how to sew a decorative pillow with a hook-and-loop closure:

Making a decorative pillow with an envelope clasp

The "envelope" clasp is especially popular for pillowcases that are meant to be used regularly at night.

Step-by-step instructions on how to sew a decorative pillow with an envelope clasp:

Watch the video on how to sew a decorative pillow with an envelope clasp:

How you can beautifully arrange a decorative pillow with your own hands (with photo)

You can personalize any pillow by shaping its edges. Cord, pleats, factory ruffles, wavy and gathers, used alone or in combinations to match the color or contrasting colors- all this is just a small part of the decorative options.

When making decorative pillows with your own hands on products with a sharp edge or on modern thick pillow boxes, the edge is sewn along the seam line on right side front section before assembling the pillowcase. On ready-made thick pillow boxes, such a finish is sewn along the front edge and edge reverse side before attaching the strip.

To determine the amount of trim: for square or rectangular pillows with a sharp edge: base the length and width of the pillow shape, multiply by 2, and then add 2.5 cm to the connection.

For square or rectangular modern thick pillows: count in the same way as for pillows with a sharp edge.

And how to arrange round decorative pillows with a sharp edge? To do this, take a flexible measuring tape to measure the circumference of the pillow shape, then add 2.5 cm to the joint.

For round thick pillows: count as for pillows with a sharp edge.

For ready-made thick pillows: calculate as for pillows with a sharp edge, and then multiply by 2.

These photos show how to sew and decorate decorative pillows with your own hands:

How to make an original decoration of a decorative pillow with your own hands

There are many different types cushion finishes that you can do yourself. Below are some of the more popular ones.

Cord.

Used as the only finish, it will give any base pillow a professional, finished look. Cord can also be used in combination with gathered trims and finished ruffles. Baste the cord in place first, then sew a ruffle or frill over the cord.

Wavy braid.

Large wavy tape gives the main type of pillow a smart rural look. For added effect, weave or layer two colors of braid. To sew such a braid, center it over the seam line and bast in place. When the pillow is finished, the braid gives the edges a scalloped look.

Fringe.

A short dense fringe of the "caterpillar" type gives the product an elegant look. Long fringes or fringes with silver or gold threads are often made from shiny fibers such as rayon or silk and give a more formal look.

Frill.

To give your pillows softness, consider purchasing a ready-made, pre-assembled frill, or make your own frill that matches or contrasts in color with the fabric.

If you want the bedroom to look feminine, then sew two or three layers of frills with increasing width along the edges of the pillows.

Trim the edges with narrow, contrasting trim or a narrow, round hem and contrasting decorative thread to add drama to the frills.

Other trims, such as tight lace or ribbon stripes, can be paired with a homemade frill. Sew on this trim before gathering and basting the frill to the top of the pillow.

Ideas original finish DIY decorative pillows are demonstrated in this video:

Ideas for decorating decorative pillows

Quilting, appliqué, machine embroidery and fabric dyeing- here are some ways to decorate the top of the pillow. Once the pillow is cut, but before you assemble it, you can give it a personal touch.

To determine the footage of the finish, cut something like a pattern from a brown paper bag to the size and shape of your pillow. Sketch the trim with a pencil where you want it to be placed. Measure the drawn line.

Original ideas for decorating a pillow with your own hands:

Apply tape and/or flat finishes, crossing and weaving them to imitate a pattern.
Antique lace, including napkin and handkerchief lace, can be remade into interesting appliqués.
Consider using different fabrics for the front and bottom of the pillow. Try to combine lace with satin, tapestry with velvet, drawings large sizes with small prints.
Use ribbon to create a sort of border on square and rectangular cushions. The same effect can be obtained on a round pillow, if you take a flexible braid for decoration.

See how beautiful do-it-yourself decorative pillows are in these photos:

Use the tips below for decorating your living room with pillows:

Pillows in a small or constantly used family room should promote comfort and be practical. To withstand daily use and rubbing, they should be made from wearable (and possibly washable) fabrics, have closures that make the pillowcase easy to remove and put on, and be soft enough to lie on in front of the TV. .
Antique lace or other fine details should be reserved for pillows that are purely for show. Tassels and braid will look elegant in a formal living room.
Think about the size of the sofa, chair, or bed that the pillows are on. Don't make the pillow so big that it hangs off the chair, or so small that it gets lost in a corner.
Also take into account the colors of fabrics. Small patterns are suitable for pillows of almost all shapes and sizes. Many large drawings not so adaptive; In order not to get the impression of a cropped pattern, use large prints on large pillows.
Beautiful patterns and interesting textures can be left unadorned. However, simpler fabrics serve as the canvas for the most delightful design techniques. Appliqués, monograms, ribbons, trim collages and fabric designs are just a few of the decorative options available to you.
Both simple and sophisticated fabrics can benefit from edging such as cord, ruffles, shirring and webbing. These finishes can enhance your choice of fabric and accentuate the pillow's shape.
To decide whether you should mix square, round, heart-shaped pillows and bolsters, or is it better to repeat the same shape in the same or different sizes, fold several pieces of fabric in various shapes and sizes, put them on a bed or sofa and, stepping aside, evaluate the result.
In photographs of professionally designed rooms, you can often see a lot of pillows. Resist the temptation to repeat this abundance, otherwise your guests will be surprised to find that all the seating is already taken - by pillows.

The sofa can be decorated with bright and original pillows

No matter how fashionable and thoughtful the design of the room is, the brightness of colors and the novelty of sensations are lost over time. At this point, the owners begin to think about a possible update of the interior. There are many ways to freshen up your home decor.

The simplest and original idea lies right on the surface: do-it-yourself sofa cushions and a master class on creating essential attributes hearth. There are no strict rules or boundaries in creating original hand made accessories that will emphasize the luxury of the living room, the comfort of the bedroom or the immediate atmosphere in the nursery. Connect your imagination, choose the best creative ideas and create your own pillow paradise.

We sew textiles for the nursery

What is the most important thing in the design of a children's room? This is a cheerful rainbow mood, an atmosphere of immediacy, lightness, combined with serenity and a harmonious tint palette. It’s great if the title theme is initially present: the princess’s castle, the land of fairies, a pirate ship or an adventure island.

Baby pillows

Do not forget that the degree of environmental friendliness is important for a nursery. Choose natural fabrics, eco-friendly hypoallergenic fillers for sewing products.

A beautiful thematic attribute made by oneself is not only convenient and functional. Author's textiles will help enhance the effect, emphasize the theme, correctly placing the right accents.

Overview of baby pillow

Try to become a designer for your home, sew an author's collection of sofa cushions for a nursery.

Soft "cloud"

A toy pillow in the form of a cloud will add lightness and spaciousness to the interior. The unusual shape is universal, it will equally effectively dilute the decor of the room for both a boy and a girl. Soft and comfortable decor for a crib or sofa can be sewn in any color scheme, from any fabric.

air cloud- the pillow will give the baby a calm and carefree sleep

We offer to sew a decorative pillow and a master class on sewing it using an old sweater.

We proceed to the preparatory stage:

Choose a sweater or sweatshirt made of cotton. You can similarly use an old T-shirt, as well as any other wardrobe item. Avoid clothes with a high content of acrylic, products with a high content of synthetics may be unsafe for children. As for the shade, for kids, as we remember, bright, positive colors are optimal. There is a strict ban on gloomy, acidic or "poisonous" shades!
Beautiful decorative pillows are recommended to be filled with sintepuh or holofiber. These are the safest, hypoallergenic fillers, they are easily erased, and when dried, they restore their original shape.
You will need a machine, a needle, threads to match. It is better to take acrylic threads, they are the most durable, pliable, smoothly glide under the foot of the sewing machine.
Pattern. For happy owners of artistic talent, it will not be difficult to draw a blank with your own hands. For the rest of the needlewomen, ready-made stencils are offered.

The pattern can be drawn on plain paper

The preparatory phase has been completed.Now armed with an arsenal necessary tools and materials, you can start making a textile masterpiece for a children's room:

We turn the sweater inside out, attach a pattern to it with pins, carefully circle it with chalk or a bar of soap. We cut out according to the pattern, making an allowance for seams about 1-2 centimeters wide.
We grind the seams along the contour, leaving a small hole for laying the filler.
We turn the workpiece inside out, fill it tightly with synthetic fluff or holofiber. To make the synthetic filler stuff more densely, you can use a sushi stick, gently moving it inside. Sew up the hole with a hidden seam.

beautiful, soft, unusual shape and the idea is ready. You can decorate the cloud by adding an appliqué, multi-colored buttons, sparkling beads.

We sew a cloud with legs

soft letters

Decorative pillows in the form of letters is a new fashion trend decorating rooms. From soft colored elements, you can write not only names, but also entire phrases right on the sofa. If two babies live in the nursery, you can use these accessories to personalize the crib or chair.

Such soft letters can serve as both a decoration for a holiday and a pillow for your baby.

Making a soft letter is easy:

Prepare a template on paper. You can draw a letter by hand or use a stencil by printing it on A4.
Let's transfer our pattern to the fabric. If you are sewing the same material for the front and back, then fold the fabric in half face down, and simply circle the pattern.

If different fabrics are used for the letter, we make sure that the blanks do not “mirror”. The front part is transferred to the front part, and the back part is wrong side up.

To make the product voluminous, we will prepare the sidewall separately. This is a strip of fabric in a contrasting shade, it is calculated by the formula: the length along the perimeter of the letter, plus a couple of centimeters - this is the allowance for the seams.
First we sew one blank with the sidewall, then we sew the rest. Don't forget to leave a small hole.
We fill it with sintepuh or holofiber, sew up the hole with a hidden seam.

In a similar way, you can make any soft letters, making up names and unusual inscriptions.

Master class on sewing pillow letters

We decorate the living room

It is difficult to imagine a cozy family living room without sofa cushions.

The stores offer textile products for every taste, but truly original, unusual and stylish products are those that are sewn by hand. Hand made jewelry for home interior- this is a special category of goods that are always valued more. Author's idea quality materials, handwork- all this brings a special touch to the design, making the living room truly stylish and exclusive.

Interior in the living room: decorative pillows

We offer several interesting simple ideas how to sew a pillow on the sofa with your own hands.

Bulk flower on the sofa

Volumetric textiles in the interior give it a special character. Depending on a particular shape, color scheme and texture, you can emphasize the design style. A flower in the form of a bright pillow blooming on a sofa or sofa is not only fashionable, but also comfortable.

This pillow is very similar to a real rose.

Let's get to work:

Prepare ten patches. Of these, five are fabrics of the same color, and five more are with a bright print.
We cut out the petals from the patches, all of the same size and shape. For convenience, you can prepare a pattern on a sheet of cardboard and transfer it to the fabric.
Sew the petals together. In this case, we take one piece of plain fabric, stitching it with a printed part. Leave a small hole at the bottom of each blank.
Using a sushi stick, fill each petal with filler. It can be a synthetic winterizer, simple cotton wool or holofiber.
We sew up the holes and sew together all the petals.
Fill in the middle. From two blanks-circles, the diameter of which is greater than the center of the flower, we will make a pillow. Sew it to the center on one side.
In order for the flower to have a neat and finished look, we sew a similar middle pillow on the reverse side.

Stylish, elegant and unusual pillow ready for the sofa.

We sew a rose pillow

Experimenting with the shape and number of petals, colors and fabric texture. You can create whole bouquets of beautiful and delicate flowers to decorate the living room.

Cozy "patchwork"

They have heard about the patchwork style, but not everyone knows how original and comfortable such products are. Stylish, bright, a little provincial, but no less elegant, textile accessory will decorate not only the living room, but also make the bedroom more comfortable. As a rule, such textiles are used for decoration country house or cottages.

Patchwork pillows

If you want to create an island of silence, tranquility, an atmosphere of light ease in your apartment, then a hand-made patchwork pillow is an indispensable part of the living room interior.

The algorithm of work is the following:

Prepare a few scraps of fabric different color. It is best to combine printed and plain details. Also, for work you will need a sewing machine, a large button, strong matching threads and scissors.
We cut out several flaps from multi-colored fabric, in our case, the details should have a triangular shape.

When creating a patchwork canvas, it is necessary to fold individual patches before sewing, like a mosaic, so that together they form a single whole.

We sew the parts together, alternating plain parts with printed ones. We get two separate canvases - the bottom and top of the pillow.
We sew whole parts, leaving a hole for the filler.
We lay a synthetic winterizer or holofiber inside, sew up the hole with a hidden seam.
We cover the button with fabric to match. We sew with one stitch through the product and sew a button in the middle.

An original, bright and stylish do-it-yourself pillow for the living room or bedroom is ready.

Patchwork pillow

First you need to sew the basic blank:

We prepare a pattern on paper in the form of a square or rectangle.
Cut out two square pieces, sew three sides.
We lay the filler, pushing it tightly inside with a pencil or stick.
Sew up the hole with a hidden seam.
We sew a pillowcase in the same way; for convenience, you can sew a hidden zipper on the side.

cut out many small petals from felt or any dense bright fabric, then sew them in turn in a circle, closing the composition with a button or bead;
cut out of thick fabric colorful circles different diameters, sew or glue them on the front side of the product;
cut out a circle from felt and cut it in a spiral, fold it in the form of a rose, glue the edge, sew the decor randomly or in the form of a pattern on the front side of the pillow.

How to sew a patchwork pillow

There are many ideas for a simple but original decor. Feel free to use ready-made creative ideas, endowing them with special features and character.

Even a beginner can sew a beautiful decorative pillow. Having mastered unusual needlework, you will not only exclusively decorate your home, but you will always be “armed” with stylish and sincere gifts for relatives and friends.

Initially, pillows were not invented for comfort during sleep, but for the sake of maintaining complex, intricate hairstyles. The first samples of these devices were preserved in the tombs of the Egyptian pyramids and have survived to this day in their original form. In eastern countries (China, Japan), "pillows" were called special devices made of stone or porcelain, which were placed under the neck, also for the sake of preserving hairstyles. There was no mention of convenience. Solid "pillows" performed an exclusively supportive function for the head. To get used to sleeping on such devices required a habit developed over the years. Real soft pillows, which are well known to all of us, were invented in Ancient Greece. Most of the wealthy citizens of this country tried to create comfortable conditions for relax. Since they spent most of their lives in bed, soft mattresses and pillows have become an indispensable attribute of pastime. They were stuffed with down, feathers, fragrant herbs.

History remembers many precedents when a pillow became a murder weapon, but this decorative item not only took away, but also saved lives. For example, in one of the parables about the Buddha, it is said how a pillowcase stuffed with odorous leaves, on which he fell asleep, saved him from physical fatigue. Pillows migrated from Ancient Greece to Ancient Rome. Although at first they were treated very skeptically there, later this sleep attribute became mandatory even for the military, hardened by the harsh camp life. He was given a sacred meaning: a thing that protects a person’s sleep. Many girlish fortune-telling is associated with pillows. They put them under spruce twigs, combs, twigs in the hope that this will “lead” the betrothed to sleep. Bags of lavender and dried wormwood, hidden in pillows, were supposed to normalize sleep and ward off evil spirits. To bring harm to a person, it was enough to sew a specially prepared magical attribute. These beliefs have survived to this day, although the digital age denies the mystical component. Centuries later, the pillow becomes an important part of the textile decor. Some are intended only for the bed, while others decorate the house. Let's talk about how to sew pillows with your own hands and what you need for this work.

Purpose and types of sofa cushions

Pillows are classified depending on the purpose into two types:

Decorative. Their main function is interior decoration. These pillows can be hard and uncomfortable, but this is not so important, because they are sure to look beautiful and stylish.
For sleep. Comfortable pillows that decorate only with colored pillowcases. They are meant only for sleeping and most of the time covered with a bedspread or hidden in niches for storing bedding.

Depending on the location of the pillow are divided into three types:

Sofa. Although the name speaks for itself, such pillows can decorate not only sofas, but also armchairs, chairs, ottomans, deck chairs.
Foot. Now this type is rare. Foot cushions were popular in the Middle Ages. Then the owners of stone castles, fearing to catch cold feet on contact with the cold floor, ordered special pads.
Floor. Pillows are stacked directly on the floor. This is a great replacement for armchairs and chairs. The tradition of sitting on the floor came to us from the East. For example, in Turkey, they build entire "couch beds" for guests. In Japan, it is generally not customary to use chairs. However, the Japanese are so accustomed to sitting on folded knees that they, in fact, do not need pillows. But for those who are trying to fit into their lifestyle, a floor pillow will be a salvation from stiff legs.

Separately, it is worth noting curly pillows, which are usually classified as children's. They are given the shape of various animals, cartoon characters, letters of the alphabet. They are decorated with drawings and inscriptions. For example, pillows in the form of cars or robots are sewn for little boys, and more delicate options are selected for girls: puppies, giraffes, cats, dogs, soft dolls. You can sleep on such toys, but most of the time they decorate the room and are used for games. Depending on the sewing technology, several more types are distinguished:

Quilted. The pillowcases of these pillows are decorated with coarse seams that go through and connect three layers: two sheets and a wadding in the middle. They can act as decoration, and are used only for sleeping. In a sleeping set, a warm quilt is usually attached to the pillows.
Modular or sectional. The lower and upper parts of such pillows are connected by a special insert. Thanks to this, they look more voluminous.
Turkish. Their pillowcases are lavishly decorated with fringes and tassels at the corners.

Pillow shape

The classic "European" shape of the pillow is considered square or rectangular. Such small things are called "dumka". Second most popular oriental view- rollers. These pillows are in the form of cylinders and are used not only as headrests, but also as armrests. They are quite rigid and tightly stuffed with filler. Round pillows(puffs) are also considered to be from the East. They are very rarely used for sleeping, but are ideal for decorating sofas and as soft seats for stools. They are usually decorated with numerous folds and intricacies of fabric. All other forms belong to the group of figured pillows. The most popular are pillows in the form of letters and hearts. In the last couple of years, there was a real "boom". Furry hearts with typical “love” inscriptions stuffed with foam rubber were sold in almost every home textile store.

Types of fabrics

Cover or pillowcase (if used for sleeping) - this is the main detail, the "face" soft pillow. As a rule, it is made of durable fabric that will withstand many washes and last for more than one year. For homemade pillows, improvised materials are often used: from old clothes(T-shirts, jeans), blankets or patchwork patchwork.
Although synthetic fabrics have taken over the textile market in recent years, it is better to choose natural ones:

Silk. Delicate yet skin-friendly material. Silk covers are difficult to care for, but they are ideally combined with a luxurious classic design.
Linen. The rough texture of flax is suitable for country subspecies. The material wrinkles easily. In this his main disadvantage, but it is hypoallergenic, pleasant to the touch. In the heat of summer, linen will give a feeling of coolness, and in winter it will warm.
Cotton. Inexpensive natural material which is easy to care for. In terms of stylistic matching, cotton covers are easy to integrate into almost any interior.
Wool. Covers can look rough, but the material will perfectly warm in cold winter. These pillows are great to sleep on.

When choosing a fabric for a cover, it is important to follow the rules for its compatibility with the filler:

For "loose" stuffings, dense fabric pillowcases are needed.
For soft padding swansdown) select the same delicate fabric that will allow you to feel the filling.

Among the popular textile options for pillow covers are fleece, felt, teak, jacquard, satin, percale, cambric, twill, tapestry.

One of the cheapest and most durable materials is polyester. This synthetic fabric is not suitable for sewing covers. It wears out quickly and loses its shape. It is not recommended to use old polyester t-shirts for sewing pillowcases.

Types of stuffing

The next question that confronts those who want to make a pillow with their own hands, how to stuff it? TO natural fillers include swan down, goose feather, horse hair, sheep and camel hair, and even buckwheat husks. These types of fillers require special care. Due to the high cost, they are mainly purchased for those pillows that will be used for sleeping. Decorative ones are mainly stuffed with synthetic fillers:

Sintepon. The leader among synthetic stuffings. It replaced foam rubber, unlike which it breathes due to its special fibrous structure. The synthetic filler is light, does not cause allergies and is easy to care for.
Holofiber. Almost weightless material that allows moisture and odors to pass through. Holofiber fillers are ideal for pillows in the kitchen.
latex filler. It is obtained from foamed rubber. The filler keeps its shape well, therefore it is often used for stuffing special orthopedic pillows for people with health problems.

There is also a separate type of filler - komforel. The material is small balls that quickly restore their shape after being pressed.

How to sew a pillow with your own hands

Sewing a pillow can be divided into several stages:

Selection of materials and tools (scissors, needles, liner or crayon, thread, sewing centimeter).
Directly stitching elements.
Stuffing.
The final stitching of the hole through which the filler was passed. Attaching lightning.
Cover making and decoration.

Below detailed master class will help to understand the algorithm of work execution.

You need to start sewing with a pattern. In fact, this is a scheme, a “template”, according to which you will have to work in the future. Usually patterns are presented in ready-made in specialized magazines or on sites for needlewomen. It will be quite difficult to draw a drawing for a complex-shaped pillow (animals, letters), but for simple thoughts or rollers it is quite realistic. The main thing that should not be forgotten is the “reserves” of fabric that will be wrapped inside and processed with an overlock, which will prevent them from delamination into fibers. Standard size rectangular pillow - 70x50 cm. If there are no plans to make a pillowcase, then it is easy to buy a ready-made cover for such a model in any textile shop. From the wrong side, markings are applied to the fabric after measurements. Then the pattern is cut out. for pillows complex shapes use a pre-prepared template made of graph paper, which is fixed with pins. Can be cut big piece fabric into two and sew them together or cut out a rectangle, fold it in half and get by with joining the sides. Get one less stitch.

To make it easier for a beginner to work, a sketch of the finished product and a preliminary drawing of the pattern are first made on a sheet of paper. Having the final result in front of your eyes, it will be easier to navigate.

Sewing

The details of the future pillow are sewn together from the wrong side. The stitch should go exactly along the predetermined line. Better take advantage sewing machine, as the line will be more accurate and durable. If the work is done by hand, then the stitch is made as small as possible. Only then will the pillow be strong. Three (two, if the canvas is one), the sides are sewn completely, and the fourth is only half. The hole is needed in order to turn the pillow inside out and fill it with stuffing. Some people immediately sew a zipper on the fourth side. The clasp is really convenient, but you need to select models with small sliders and tiny teeth on the ribbons. Too large parts of the zipper can "feel" through the case and cause discomfort. The edges of the fabric from the inside must be processed. It is better to use an overlock.

Stuffing

Filling a pillow with synthetic stuffing is a simple process, which cannot be said about natural down. Usually it is "poured" from old cases to new ones. If you take a “lump” of fluff in your hand, it may seem that there is nothing difficult in sorting it out. However, a couple of movements are enough and weightless white fluffs scatter throughout the room, striving to get into the mouth or nose. You can't just "sprinkle" fluff. This is not cotton wool, which retains its shape and is easily compacted. A hole is made in the old case, which is sewn to the same one in new pillow. The fluff is gently “tumbled”, crushed and moved by hand. This process will take more than one hour, so you will have to be patient. Those who bought fluff in the store should also not tear the packaging, but follow the same pattern of pouring from one container to another.

How to sew a pillow?

The opening for eversion, as a rule, is sewn up with a blind seam. Stitches should be small, neat. The knot is tied from the inside, and the needle is pulled to the front side. The edges of the fabric are wrapped, and the cover is folded exactly along the machine seam, which ended in the middle. This is important, as the discrepancy will be conspicuous. To make the line look even neater, it is duplicated, but the needle punctures are staggered relative to the previous ones. Then the seam will turn out stronger, and it will look neater. Since the pillow will not be exhibited in the museum as an exhibit and it will spend most of the time in a pillowcase, the fourth side “from the face” can simply be sewn with a typewriter. The main thing is that the line goes as close to the edge as possible. If the fabric is variegated, then the thread selected according to the shade will not be noticeable on it at all.

Pillowcase

When the work on sewing the pillow itself is completed, you can proceed to the most creative part, the selection of the design of the pillowcase. First you need to choose a design for the stylistic decision of the room that will be decorated with this piece of decor. For classics, it is better to use luxurious, expensive fabrics with elegant embroidery in gold or silver threads. For modern styles models of a simple cut made of concise materials are suitable, because here the emphasis should be on shape and color. For oriental interiors, colorful pillows with numerous fringes and tassels are created. The room for the child will be decorated with covers with frills, ruffles, appliqués, lace, simple embroidery. For modern girlish bedrooms, pillows decorated with sequins, pins, bows and even fur are suitable. For rustic interiors use knitted covers, decorated with buttons, flowers from ribbons.

Pillow decor options

Decorating is the most creative part of the process. Here you can fully show your imagination and create both laconic options for strict interiors, and mischievous solutions for the original setting. To decorate the cover, both improvised materials and specially purchased accessories are suitable. Let us consider in more detail the popular ways of decorating pillows and analyze them step by step.

Color selection

First of all, you need to decide on a color scheme. Covers can be plain, colorful or combine a moderate number of shades (two or three), selected according to the principles of analogy (ombre effect) or contrast. The latter option is easy to implement in modular covers, the two parts of which are not sewn together, but are connected by an insert. The shade must be selected based on the characteristics of the color scheme of the room as a whole and the furniture in particular. If the textile decor should become a bright accent on the calm palette of the interior, then catchy colors are chosen: red, orange, yellow, green. Shiny golden, bronze, silver cases, which are covered with continuous rows of sequins, will look stylish and original. If the pillow is just a neutral touch, then a calm shade is chosen: white, gray, blue, pink, brown, pastel shades. For outdoor decor (patio, gazebo, garden bench), more natural colors are selected. For example, covers of crimson and brown tones with color gradation perfectly harmonize with the autumn landscape. They are complemented by a checkered blanket, picturesquely laid out on a bench, and now a cozy place in the open air is ready to read a book over a cup of hot tea.

Patchwork technique or patchwork, as it is sometimes called, allows you to create from old things unusual decor. These pillow covers will look cute at home, but will only fit country-style interiors. For work, you will need pieces of fabrics of different colors, decorated with ornaments and images. They are cut into squares of the same size, which is calculated from the parameters of the future pillowcase and the estimated number of segments. Then these pieces are sewn to each other, forming strips. They are also interconnected, resulting in a finished canvas.

In the patchwork technique, it is possible to decorate not the entire pillowcase, but only a separate part of it. For example, a combination of scraps of fabric with a variegated checkered pattern on one half will be organically combined with embroidery on a plain burlap on the second.

Application

The applique technique is the sewing of individual pieces of fabric onto the canvas in such a way that the result is a picture. The way of decorating is somewhat similar to folding a puzzle. The master has a large number of parts to be put together. Application happens:

Flat. This is a simple technique in which pieces of fabric are applied to the cover and sewn on completely.
Volumetric. A more complex technique, which is characterized by the presence of convex elements. For example, flounces, ruffles and bows with ribbons appear on a ballerina's dress. Sometimes, in order to get additional volume, a soft filler is placed under a piece of fabric.

When working with fabric, there is a “reverse” application. On the cover of the pillowcase, a detail is cut out according to the template. The edges must be stitched. Preferably by car. Then a similar detail is cut out from a piece of another fabric and sewn on from the wrong side. It is best to work with a template prepared in advance.

Printing on fabric can be ordered in specialized salons, which, using special equipment, will accurately transfer the image to the material. However, you can make a pillow cover yourself. You can try to transfer the image using a hot iron with regular photo, but the result will be dull and short-lived. It is much easier to work with a set of markers or spray paints and stencils. Drawings, as a rule, are selected concise, since only a master artist can display complex color transitions. The fabric must be laid out on a flat horizontal surface. For reliability, it is better to secure it with pins or press down on the edges with something heavy. The area that should remain untouched is isolated with masking tape or cling film. Now apply the stencil and fix it. You can start coloring the image.

Lace

Covers with lace look very gentle and touching. This "feminine" option is great for shabby chic, provence and blends seamlessly into children's bedrooms for newborns. Thin lace, as a rule, decorates only separate part covers: a strip in the center, on one side, or paired openwork ribbons that “close” a neat pattern in the middle. Due to the special sophistication, this decoration is combined with covers. pastel shades. Contrast is appropriate in double pillowcases. They are sewn from the lower plain layer of ordinary fabric and the upper lace. You can knit such a detail manually using a hook and special yarn.

Knitted pillowcases

Knitted pillowcases bring warmth and comfort to the interior. To work, you will need yarn (about 500 grams per medium-sized cover), buttons, knitting needles or a hook. We must not forget that natural threads will strongly “sit down” after washing. To prevent the pillowcase from becoming too small for a pillow, it is better to use mixed yarn. Mass knitting technique. Some prefer the laconic pigtails and bumps that homemade sweaters usually decorate, while others prefer the complex patterns of spider webs and, again, the patchwork technique, but in a slightly different guise. The pillowcase can be sewn from separately knitted (usually crocheted) patches of yarn of different colors. To close the cover, they use not zippers, but buttons that are organically combined with yarn.

Embroidery

The cover can be decorated with solid embroidery or decorate only part of it. For the first option, embroidery techniques with threads (mulina) with a cross and a half-cross (tapestry) are suitable. You need to work either with burlap or with a regular fabric on which the canvas is fixed. After the embroidery is completed, it is dissolved by thread. For partial decoration, embroidery with ribbons, chenille or work using the “smooth” technique is suitable.

Using old clothes

Wonderful pillowcases are made from old jeans, shirts and sweaters. In the last two cases, the sleeves and the lower part of the garment are cut off, leaving only the collar and the “chest” piece of fabric. You do not need to cut the shirt or sweater at the seam. The second part will become the back of the case. Then the remnants of the shirt are sewn on both sides on the sides. A zipper is sewn to the bottom. top, on which the collar is additionally decorated with a piece of fabric previously cut off from the bottom to cover the empty neck. This detail can be sewn to the back of the shirt and simply smoothed out, since the seam on the front side will not look very aesthetically pleasing. You can put a handkerchief in the chest pocket. Covers are sewn from jeans according to the same principle, only both legs are cut off.

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