As you can probably imagine, when I’m travelling I can’t help but buy fabrics wherever I go. Usually it’s a case of having to put a limit on myself lest I end up in one of those awkward, and costly, excess baggage situations. Sadly often the small scraps of fabric I buy are too small for a skirt or a pair of shorts, but too dear to my heart to throw away so end up sitting in a box. While in the process of finishing off my favourite nook in the studio I got a craving for throw cushions, and rather than buying them myself I realised it would be a great opportunity to use some of those colourful fabric scraps. My one main issue with sewing cushions though was that putting a zip in can take aggges (I wanted to make seven cushions), but the last thing you want is a cover you can’t wash. After a bit of pondering I worked out a way to create a cushion with a folding flap so you don’t need a zip. What’s even better is that if you have time you can totally make these by hand! Read on the see how.
You need:
- A piece of colourful fabric for the front
- Some canvas or linen for the back
- Scissors
- Pins
- A sewing machine or needle and thread.
- Cushion stuffing or inner.
How to:
1. First cut your fabric pieces. I used the shape of my fabric scraps to determine the size of my cushions, this colourful piece is roughly 45cm x 30cm (17 in x 12 in). Cut a piece of cotton or linen 1.5 Ā to 2 times the length (longways) of your statement piece of fabric. If your fabric is square just pick a side to use as the longways. The longer you cut the backing piece the bigger the overlap of the flap at the be will be so I made mine closer to 2 x because I was using cushion stuffing and I didn’t want it to come out.
2. Cut the piece of backing fabric in half width ways.
3. Lay the fabric together, first one side of the backing fabric, then the other and then the statement fabric right side down. Note that the backing piece that is second from the bottom will be the outer flap, which is why I oriented the clean selvedged edge here. In the event you don’t have a clear selvedged edge on this piece, the best thing to do is to hem this along the short edge so when you turn it inside out it has a nice finished edge.
4. Pin together.
5. Sew all the way around the cushion about 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge.
6. After sewing the fabric should look like this.
7. Turn the fabric inside out by pulling it through the flaps in the backing and then iron down well, making sure to turn the points of the cushion out, you can use a pencil or chop stick to do this.
8. The back of your cushion should look like this – you can see that my back piece overlaps a lot to keep the stuffing inside but yours may be more centred.
9. Stuff your cushion or if you’re using an insert put that in.
Voila! I can’t wait to show you all the different ones I made with fabrics from all over the world. Nothing better than hanging in the studio sitting on cushions that remind me of places I’ve been!
Do you have any sources on where to get cheap filler from? I go to the craft stores and I’m always horrified that buying enough filler to fill one of those things costs more than buying a pillow!
I second this question! I’m starting to fill out the decorations in my new place in Hong Kong, and am at a loss as to where to buy filler here! The inserts from Ikea are so flat and sad. Any advice you have would be much appreciated.
Look for pillows at thrift stores. Take off the fabric and put the pillow in the dryer to sanitize it. This saves a lot of money.
That pink fabric is gorjeous!!!
I invite you to my accessories page!
https://www.facebook.com/ohmyaccessoriess
I really love this DIY!
XO CHAMAFASHION
http://www.chamafashion.com/
These pillows are amazing and they seem so easy to make!! Love this DIY!
xo Andrea
Wonderful and Marvelous
These look so beautiful and simple to do š Definitely making some of these once I find the right fabric. I have some black devore fabric left over (I made skirt from it) which would be too delicate to make a cushion from but I reckon it would look amazing over the cover.
http://onnistockholm.blogspot.co.uk/
Beautiful! Love the colours!
Lots of love, xx
http://marysreturn.blogspot.com.ar/
http://marysreturn.blogspot.com.ar/
Lovely!
Did you know that if you clip a “v” into your sewn corners on the wrong side (careful not to cut your stitches) that when you turn it rightside-out after sewing, your corners will be more pointy? Use small scissors to have more control over your “v” so you don’t cut into your stitches…super-important. Will make the pillow look even more polished.
Thank you for the nice tutorial, the pink fabric is wonderful.
Great tutorial. Love the fabric!! This pattern is great as a “slipcover” over existing, older pillows.
Perfect for college students, those on a budget, diy’ers, or kids. š
http://frenchrobin.com I’d love if you came by for a visit.
great tutorial! I love the fabric you choose!
[…] making these easy DIY throw cushions this […]
love your site and your ideas are really inspiring. thank you!
http://samsebediz.ru/
[…] Another reasonĀ I really need to learn how to sew […]
Love this!
I’ve been meaning to sew a pillow for my bed, this was just what I needed! Thanks.
[…] easy throw cushions // A Pair and a Spare […]
I planned to make some cushions for a while, I even bought the fabric and I ended up buying a set of cushions. You make it sounds very easy, I think I’ll give it a try and make my own cushions.
Anca @ ancaslifestyle
The DIY inspiration is great, you are so handyman to make that.
[…] A Pair and a Spare DIY showed us how to make throw cushions. […]
Very cool! I did the same to fabric I bought Chengdu: wonderfully woven, bright colours, thick fabric, but not useful for anything else actually. Now I’ve learned to limit myself to buy few fabrics but more of them so I can do something with it. Even if it breaks my heart if I have to leave a cute one behind… š
[…] Easy Throw Cushions //A PairĀ & A Spare […]
I love this DIY, Thanks a lot for sharing.
The fabric is so beautiful, love the colours!