How to Sew Square Throw Pillows Without Using a Commercial Sewing Pattern

Pillows are fun and easy to sew. Simple square throw pillows can be any size you wish since you are the designer and creator. The first choice you need to make is what size you would like your pillow to be. A nice size for a throw pillow is 12 x12, 14 x 14, or if you want a really large throw pillow, 18 x 18 might be a good choice.

Once you have decided on the size of the pillow, the next decision to be made is what type of fabric to choose. If you desire a casual pillow, you might choose 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester print. Sometimes throw pillows are used in children's bedrooms so an age appropriate print might be desirable. Throw pillows can be plain with no embellishment, or they can be embellished in a variety of ways. Machine or hand embroidering a design or monogram on one or both sides of the pillow is a nice touch and allows you to decorate your home in a unique way. Besides embroidering on the pillow, you might also enjoy sewing trims around the pillow as well. Simple cotton fabric prints are often used to create a more casual throw pillow, but if you want a more elegant look, choose fabrics such as velvet, velveteen, sateen, or satin.

Once you have decided on the size of the pillow and the type of fabric, you can create a pattern that can be used over and over again, either using a thin paper, or sew in interfacing. Use a ruler to create a straight edge and draw a square to the desired size. Make sure you also add seam allowances. Adding seam allowances is quite easy to do if you use a seam gauge to help you mark the desired seam allowance on your paper pattern. In most home decorating projects, the seam allowance is ½ inch. When you have finished creating your pattern, place it on your fabric and cut two pieces. This is the front and the back of the pillow.

Place the fabric right sides together and pin, making sure to leave a large space for turning the pillow right side out. It is easy to start sewing in the middle of one edge of the pillow and stop sewing several inches before you come to where you started sewing.

After the pillow has been sewn, press the seams as they were stitched, and clip the corners diagonally. Clipping the corners allows you to create a nice sharp corner when the pillow is turned right side out. For a really nice finish, place the pillow on the ironing board, and press the seams open by running the tip of the iron along the seams. Although this step is not completely necessary, it does create nice edges to the finished project. When you have pressed the pillow well on the wrong side, turn the pillow right side out, and use a point turner to push out the corners. Press the pillow again on the right side of the fabric this time.

When the finished pillow has been pressed well. Begin stuffing the pillow with fiberfill, making sure to fill the corners well. Once the pillow has been completely filled with fiberfill, sew the opening closed. The best way to accomplish this is to hand sew the opening closed using a slip stitch.

Although there are some commercial sewing patterns that have a variety of pillow patterns available, creating your own pattern allows you the freedom to create a variety of square throw pillows for your home. Because you are creating your own pillow patterns in any size that you wish, you will be able to create pillow decor for your home that reflects your own personality and decorating style.