The basic steps to sew a pillow

Sewing a pillow means cutting two pieces of fabric to the same size, placing them face-to-face, stitching three sides closed, turning the fabric right-side out through the opening, stuffing it with filling, and then hand-stitching the fourth side shut. The whole process takes two to four hours for a beginner, depending on pillow size and whether you use a sewing machine or hand-sew the entire thing.

You do not need advanced sewing skills. A straight stitch—the most basic machine stitch—is all you need. If you hand-sew instead, a straightforward running stitch works perfectly. The hardest part is usually keeping your seam straight and remembering to leave an opening before you stitch all four sides.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical fabric rectangles, pin them together with the pretty sides facing inward, and stitch three full sides with a half-inch seam allowance.
  • Leave one side completely unstitched so you can turn the pillow right-side out and stuff it later.
  • Turn the pillow through the opening, push the corners out with a blunt tool, and fill it with polyester fiberfill or another pillow stuffing.
  • Close the final opening with a ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch), which hides the seam inside the fold of fabric.
  • A sewing machine makes the work faster and the seams more even, but hand-sewing works just as well if you go slowly and keep your stitches small and tight.

Cutting and preparing your fabric pieces

Start by deciding how big you want your pillow. A standard throw pillow is 16 by 16 inches, but you can make any size. Measure and mark your fabric with tailor's chalk or a fabric pencil, then cut two identical rectangles. Make sure both pieces are exactly the same size—if one is even a quarter-inch smaller, the seams will not line up evenly when you stitch.

Lay the two pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing inward (the pretty, printed, or textured side of the fabric should be touching). This matters because when you turn the pillow right-side out later, the seams will be hidden inside. Pin the two pieces together around all four edges, spacing pins about three inches apart. Pinning keeps the fabric from shifting while you stitch.

Stitching three sides of the pillow

If you are using a sewing machine, thread it with thread that matches your fabric, set it to a straight stitch, and adjust the stitch length to medium (usually around 2.5 millimeters). Start at one corner and stitch along one long side, keeping a half-inch distance from the edge. This half-inch space is called the seam allowance—it gives the fabric room to fray slightly without coming apart.

Stitch all the way to the next corner, then pivot the fabric by leaving the needle down, lifting the presser foot, and rotating the pillow 90 degrees. Lower the presser foot and continue stitching the next side. Repeat this at each corner until you have stitched three complete sides. Stop before you reach the end of the fourth side—leave a four to six inch opening unstitched. This opening is where you will turn the pillow right-side out and stuff it.

If you are hand-sewing, use a needle and thread, and make small, even running stitches (in and out, in and out) along the same path. Keep your stitches about one-eighth inch apart and maintain a half-inch seam allowance. Hand-sewing takes longer but gives you more control, especially at corners.

Turning the pillow and preparing to stuff it

Trim the corners of your sewn pillow with scissors, cutting away the excess fabric at a 45-degree angle about a quarter-inch from the stitching. This step, called clipping corners, prevents the corners from bunching up when you turn the pillow right-side out. Do not cut into the stitches themselves.

Reach through the unstitched opening and grab the fabric from the inside. Gently pull the pillow through the opening, turning it right-side out as you go. The pretty side of the fabric should now be on the outside. Use a blunt tool—the back of a wooden spoon, a chopstick, or a point turner—to push the corners out from the inside so they are sharp and square rather than rounded.

Filling your pillow with stuffing

Polyester fiberfill is the most common pillow stuffing and costs a few dollars per bag at fabric stores. Grab small handfuls and push them through the opening, distributing the stuffing evenly so the pillow feels full but not rock-hard. Start with the corners and edges, then fill the center. How much you use depends on how firm you want the pillow—a standard 16-inch pillow usually needs one to two bags.

You can also use cotton batting, down feathers, or even old fabric scraps, though fiberfill is easiest to work with and holds its shape longest. As you stuff, occasionally hold the pillow up and feel it to make sure the filling is even. Lumpy spots mean you need to add more stuffing or redistribute what is already there.

Closing the opening with a ladder stitch

The ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) closes the opening so neatly that the seam is almost invisible. Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric and tie a knot at the end. Bring the needle up through the fold of fabric on one side of the opening, so the knot stays hidden inside.

Make a small stitch directly across the opening on the opposite side, going through the fold of fabric there. Come back out and make another small stitch on the first side, about a quarter-inch further along. Keep alternating sides, always stitching through the fold of fabric rather than through the main body of the pillow. Every few stitches, gently pull the thread tight—this closes the gap. When the opening is almost completely closed, stuff in any last bits of filling, then finish closing with a few more stitches. Tie off the thread inside the pillow so the knot stays hidden.

Fixing common mistakes

If your seams are crooked, the pillow will look lopsided. The best way to avoid this is to sew slowly, keep your hands steady, and use the edge of the presser foot as a guide if you are using a machine. If you notice a crooked seam after stitching, you can carefully cut the thread and re-stitch that section—it is not ideal, but it works.

If you forget to leave an opening before stitching all four sides, you can carefully cut a small slit in the back of the pillow (where it will not show), stuff it through that opening, and then hand-stitch the slit closed. It is not the cleanest method, but it saves you from having to unpick all your stitches.

If your corners are rounded instead of sharp, you did not clip them deeply enough before turning. You can still push them out with a point turner from the inside, or accept the rounded look—it is still a functional pillow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a pillow by hand without a sewing machine?

Yes. Use a needle, thread, and a straightforward running stitch to sew all four sides. It takes longer than a machine—usually four to six hours—but the result is just as strong if your stitches are small and tight. Hand-sewing is actually easier for beginners because you have more control and can stop and adjust whenever you need to.

What thread should I use?

All-purpose polyester thread works for almost any fabric. Match the thread color to your fabric if possible, or use a neutral color like gray or beige. Avoid cheap thread that breaks easily—it makes stitching frustrating and weakens your seams.

How much fabric do I need?

You need two rectangles of fabric the size you want your finished pillow to be, plus a half-inch seam allowance on all sides. For a 16-inch pillow, buy fabric that is at least 17 by 17 inches per piece. Most fabric stores sell fabric by the yard, so a half-yard is usually enough for one pillow.

What if I want a decorative edge or pattern?

You can add trim, lace, or ribbon before you stitch the two pieces together—pin it to the right side of one fabric piece so it gets caught in the seam. You can also embroider a design on one piece before sewing, or use fabric with a pattern you like. Just make sure any decorations are stitched or glued down securely before you start sewing the pillow together.

How do I make a pillow with a zipper instead of hand-stitching the opening?

Insert a zipper into the opening before you stitch the pillow closed. Pin the zipper to the unstitched side with the zipper teeth facing inward, stitch it in place with a zipper foot attachment on your machine, then stitch the rest of the pillow closed. This takes more skill and requires a zipper foot, but it lets you remove the cover later to wash it or change the stuffing.