Do-It-Yourself - How to Make Decorative Pillows by Hand

Making home accents and crafts at home can be a fun hobby, but in our economic recession a better reason to try more do-it-yourself projects is to save money. Stores charge at least double of what you can make most home decorations by yourself or with a friend. Home decorating crafts can be a fun way for a few friends or a family to spend some quality time together constructively.

1. The first step to making your decorative pillows is to choose a fabric. You will want to choose a fabric that coordinates with your current decor or theme. Or try a fresh look and add some new colors with eye-catching patterns, prints and colors. Shades of neutral is the best choice if you already have bold furnishings or decor. Or a bold color fabric in solids or prints can bring out a bit of flare to your already neutral room or furnishings.

2. Choose a shape for your pillow. Round and square are the most popular choices but you are limited to your imagination. A neck roll pillow is easy to make and and nice decorative touch to your couch, love seat, chair or even on your bed. You are limited only by your creativity and imagination.

3. Turn the fabric inside out so that the stitching does not show through. Seams do not have to be perfect because stitching up the fabric while inside out hides any of your imperfections. Make sure that your stitches are not too far apart so they will hold up to daily wear and tear.

4. Completely sew up 3 sides of your pillow but only sew part of the fourth side. Leave room to fill your pillow; the hole should be large enough to move your hand through easily. I usually leave half of a side open so that stuffing the pillow goes quickly.

5. Stuff the pillow with stuffing or go green and re-use the stuffing from old stuffed animals to fill your homemade pillow. Old and worn out pillows can also be given new life by recovering them instead of throwing them away. Sew the new material directly on top of the old - you will never be able to tell they were old and worn out

6. Sew up the hole you left to fill the pillow with stuffing. It is important that your stitches are tight and all of the knots are well-secured. Any decorative elements like fringe, buttons, or trim may be added at this point.