The Basic Process for Sewing a Pillow

Sewing a pillow takes about two to four hours for a beginner and requires only fabric, thread, a needle or sewing machine, scissors, and fiberfill or another stuffing. The core steps are: cut two pieces of fabric to the same size, pin them together with the right sides facing inward, sew three sides closed, turn the fabric right-side out through the opening, stuff it, and sew the fourth side shut. You do not need a sewing machine — hand sewing works just as well, though it takes longer.

The simplest pillows are square or rectangular because the sides are straight lines. Once you understand the basic method, you can make round pillows, pillows with piping trim, or pillows with a zipper closure. Most beginners start with a 12-inch or 16-inch square because it is large enough to see what you are doing but small enough to finish in one sitting.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical fabric pieces, pin them right-sides together, and sew three sides with a half-inch seam allowance before turning and stuffing.
  • Leave one side completely open before sewing so you have an opening large enough to turn the pillow right-side out and fill it with stuffing.
  • Use a ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) to close the final opening by hand, which hides the seam inside the fold of the fabric.
  • Backstitch by hand or use a straight stitch on a machine, and reinforce corners by sewing over them twice to prevent seams from splitting.
  • Prewash and dry your fabric before cutting if you plan to wash the finished pillow later, so the fabric does not shrink unevenly.

Choosing Fabric and Gathering Materials

Cotton quilting fabric, cotton canvas, linen, and cotton blends are the easiest fabrics for beginners because they hold their shape, do not fray excessively, and are forgiving if your seams are not perfectly straight. Avoid stretchy fabrics like knits or jersey until you have made several pillows, because they shift as you sew and are harder to control. Flannel, fleece, and minky are also beginner-friendly if you like a softer feel.

For a 16-inch square pillow, buy half a yard of fabric (18 inches by 44 inches is the standard width). This gives you enough to cut two 17-inch squares with a little waste. You will also need thread that matches or complements your fabric, a needle (size 70/10 or 80/12 for cotton), scissors that cut fabric cleanly, pins, and fiberfill stuffing. If you use a sewing machine, thread the bobbin and top thread before you begin.

Fiberfill is sold by weight in bags at fabric stores and online. For a 16-inch pillow, buy 16 ounces (one pound) of fiberfill. If you prefer a firmer pillow, use a pre-made pillow form instead of loose stuffing — forms come in standard sizes like 12x12, 14x14, and 16x16 inches, and you straightforward insert them into the sewn cover.

Cutting and Pinning Your Fabric

Lay your fabric on a flat surface and measure out two squares (or rectangles) that are exactly the same size. For a finished 16-inch pillow, cut each piece 17 inches square — the extra inch accounts for the half-inch seam allowance on all four sides. Use a ruler or measuring tape and mark the corners with a pencil or fabric pen before cutting. Cut slowly and in one direction so the edges are straight.

Place the two fabric pieces on top of each other with the right sides (the pretty, printed side) facing each other and the wrong sides (the blank back) facing out. This is called "right sides together." Pin around all four edges, placing pins about two inches apart and perpendicular to the edge. The pins hold the two layers in place while you sew so they do not shift.

If you are hand sewing, you can skip the pins and straightforward hold the fabric together as you work, but pins make the job much easier. If you are using a sewing machine, remove each pin just before the presser foot reaches it — do not sew over pins, as this can break the needle or damage the machine.

Sewing Three Sides Closed

Start at one corner and sew along the first edge, keeping a consistent half-inch distance from the fabric edge. If you are using a sewing machine, set it to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters. Sew slowly and guide the fabric with your hands rather than pulling it. When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot, rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing.

Sew all the way around three complete sides. Stop about six inches before you return to your starting point on the fourth side — this opening is where you will turn the pillow right-side out and insert the stuffing. Backstitch (sew backward) three or four stitches at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread and prevent it from unraveling.

If you are hand sewing, use a backstitch: bring the needle up through both layers of fabric, go back half an inch, push the needle down through both layers, and bring it back up a quarter inch ahead. Repeat this motion all the way around. Hand sewing takes longer but gives you more control, and the seams are just as strong if you keep your stitches small and even.

Turning and Stuffing Your Pillow

Trim the corners of the sewn fabric diagonally, cutting away the triangle of fabric at each corner about a quarter inch from the seam. This removes bulk so the corners lie flat and look sharp when you turn the pillow right-side out. Do not cut into the seam itself.

Reach into the six-inch opening and grab the fabric from the inside. Gently pull the entire pillow through the opening, turning it inside out so the right sides of the fabric now face outward. Use a chopstick, wooden spoon handle, or a turning tool to push the corners out from the inside so they are crisp and square. Press the pillow flat with your hands or an iron set to medium heat.

Fill the pillow with fiberfill a handful at a time, distributing it evenly into all four corners first, then filling the center. Squeeze and fluff the stuffing as you go so there are no lumps or empty spots. For a medium-firm pillow, fill it until it feels full but you can still press your fingers into it slightly. Stop about an inch from the opening so you have room to fold the edges inward and sew them closed.

Closing the Final Opening with a Ladder Stitch

Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by half an inch on both sides and press them flat with your fingers or an iron. Pin the opening closed if you want to, though it is not necessary. Thread a needle with thread that matches your fabric and tie a knot at the end.

The ladder stitch (also called a slip stitch) hides the seam inside the fold of the fabric. Bring the needle up through the fold on one side of the opening, slide it horizontally inside the fold for about half an inch, and bring it back out. Cross over to the opposite side of the opening and repeat: go in through the fold, slide inside for half an inch, and come back out. Continue this zigzag pattern all the way across the opening. Every few stitches, gently pull the thread to close the gap — the seam will disappear into the fold.

When you reach the end of the opening, tie off the thread by making a small loop, passing the needle through it, and pulling tight. Push the needle into the fold and bring it out an inch away, then trim the thread close to the fabric so the tail disappears inside.

Reinforcing Seams and Finishing Details

If you used a sewing machine, go back and sew over the three closed sides a second time, staying just inside your first line of stitching. This double seam prevents the pillow from splitting open if it gets pulled or sat on hard. You do not need to do this for the ladder-stitched opening — the hand stitches are strong enough.

Press the finished pillow with an iron on a medium setting to flatten the seams and give it a polished look. If your fabric is cotton or linen, you can use a higher heat. If it is a blend or synthetic, use low to medium heat to avoid melting the fibers. Let the pillow cool before using it.

Once you have made one pillow, you can experiment with different fabrics, sizes, and closures. Pillows with zippers are made the same way but require sewing a zipper into one side before stuffing. Pillows with piping (a decorative cord sewn into the seam) are slightly more complex but follow the same basic steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between right sides together and wrong sides together?

Right sides together means the pretty, printed sides of the fabric face each other, and the blank backs face outward. This is the standard way to sew a pillow because when you turn it right-side out, the seams end up hidden on the inside. Wrong sides together would put the seams on the outside, which is visible and not the look most people want.

Can I sew a pillow by hand if I do not have a sewing machine?

Yes. Hand sewing takes longer — usually three to five hours instead of two to three — but the finished pillow is just as strong and looks the same. Use a backstitch and keep your stitches small and even, about one-eighth inch long. A needle threader makes threading easier, and a thimble protects your finger from the needle.

What happens if I do not trim the corners before turning?

The corners will be bulky and rounded instead of crisp and square. Trimming away the excess fabric at each corner removes that bulk so the corners lie flat and look sharp. It is a small step that makes a noticeable difference in how professional the finished pillow looks.

How do I prevent the seams from fraying?

Cotton and linen fray slightly over time, especially if the pillow is washed. You can finish the raw edges by sewing a zigzag stitch along them before assembling the pillow, or you can use a serger (a specialty sewing machine that trims and finishes edges). For most pillows, light fraying is not noticeable, but if you want a longer-lasting pillow, finishing the edges is worth the extra step.

Can I use a different stuffing instead of fiberfill?

Yes. Polyester fiberfill is the most common and affordable, but you can also use cotton batting, wool, down feathers, or buckwheat hulls. Down and feathers make a softer, more luxurious pillow but cost more and may require a special fabric cover to prevent the filling from poking through. Buckwheat pillows are firmer and good for neck support. Choose based on how you want the pillow to feel and your budget.