How To Make Hand Made Decorative Pillows

Pillows are the center piece of the bedroom. They can make the bedroom transform from a dull room to a vibrant room full of life.

They are made from a wide variety of material such as satin, silk, linen, cotton, and even fleece.

Where to buy best pillows

How to make your own pillow – DIY

There are various ways of making decorative pillows. It can range from: sewing, knitting, and using fabric adhesive.

Hi pillow

For instance, you can decide to make beautiful pillows with decorative words such as hi, love, Mr. and Mrs. etc.

What you need:

Nice plain pillow case
Fabric adhesive glue (Fabric tac glue – its washable)
Plain sheet of paper (template)
Felt fabric (in a different color from the pillow case)
Scissors
Pins
Needle and thread

Use the plain sheet of paper and write what you want to appear on the pillow. Alternatively, you can print out the word.

Place the print out on the felt fabric and pin it down then cut out the felt fabric as the word on the template. Place the felt fabric on the plain pillow case and glue it on.

To add a dramatic effect, you will come in and hand sew toward the edges in a different thread so that the letters may pop, and there you have it (word pillow).

Felt woven pillow

This is a pillow that looks like it has a basket woven pattern. They are very pretty and very easy to make.

What you need:

Nice plain washable pillow case.
Fabric adhesive glue (Fabric tac glue)
Felt fabric (in a different color from the pillow case)
Scissors

Cut the felt fabric into even nice strips (you can decide the width of the strips depending on your taste) for instance, you can use 1-inch width.

Next, lay down the 1-inch strips along the length then glued them. Wait for the glue to dry then lift every other strip, lay one strip across then repeat the same until you get to the end of the pillow case.

Remember to keep the strips close together to make a tight weave.

Once you get to the end, glue the edges and flip over the pillow case so that you can cut off the excess felt and there you have- it a beautiful felt woven pillow.

Ivory shag pillow

This is a pillow that looks like it has an earthy/urban feel pattern. They are very pretty and very easy to make – exercise your creativity.

What you need:

Nice plain pillow case
Fabric adhesive glue (Fabric tac glue)
Yarn
Assorted laces
Rope
Scissors

Create tassels by wrapping the yarn around the widest/ thickest part of your hand several times then cut off the excess.

Hold the tassel at the center in place with a short piece of yarn creating a pompom then go round cutting the loops.

Place the laces on the pillow case and glue then in whatever pattern you desire. Towards the edges of the pillow case glue your pompoms to create an urban look.

Since you are working from the edges inward right at the middle, glue your rope. Then to finish off and achieve a cohesive look you can glue some of the pompom yarn on the lace just next to the pompoms.

DIY tie and dye pillow

Just as the name suggests there will be a dye and tying. These are very chic and create an ambience that is very laid back.

What you need:

Nice plain pillow case
Fabric adhesive glue (Fabric tac glue)
Assorted glue
Bucket
Ties / Rubber bands
Scissors

Take the ties place then around the pillow case as tight as possible, separate then by an inch or an inch and a half.

Repeat till you get to the bottom of the pillow. Dip the tied pillow case in the dye to the level you want. Remove it then gently part to remove the excess dye.

Repeat the process with the different dyes to create a collage of colors if you so desire. Then hang to dry but not direct under the sun.

Hand made hexagon denim pillow

This pillow is very interesting as you can re-purpose an old pair of jeans instead of throwing it.

You can play around with the shades and shapes to come up with an à la mode design.

What you need:

Nice plain pillow case
Fabric adhesive glue (Fabric tac glue)
Pair of jeans
Scissors
Ruler
Bleach

Take your old pair of jeans and cut it open so that you have it flat like a piece of cloth.

Mix your bleach in a bowl and start spreading it over the jeans. You can use a dish brush to apply the bleach.

Ensure you don’t apply too much as you don’t want it soaking wet (the bleach is to create different shades out of the same denim).

Let it dry then cut it into the shape you desire (For example, you can choose hexagon- because of the dramatic effect it has). Place and glue the cut-outs on the pillow case as desired.

Pompom pillow

This pillow has a beautiful subtle but dramatic effect as you decide the colors to mix and present.

What you need:

Nice plain pillow case
Fabric adhesive glue (Fabric tac glue)
Yarn
Needle and thread

Separate your index and middle fingers about an inch apart and wrap the yarn around-have 40-80 repeats. Take a little yarn about 7 inches long and tie it right at the middle very tightly.

Cut open all the loops- it will make sort of ball shape and then now give it a `hair cut’ to make a symmetrical ball, leaving the 2 pieces that held the ball together.

Once you have all the balls ready, pass a needle and thread right at the middle. Ensure to fasten it to the ball to hold it in place.

Now sow it on to the pillow case, and ensure you measure the distance between them.

The balls are not equal as they are handmade. Repeat the same to all the edges of the pillow.

Styling and decorating may or may not come naturally for people but with a little help and experimenting we can achieve that room that makes you feel like you are in a haven.

Our homes are a reflection of who we are or what we want to achieve. Pillow arrangement also creates an eclectic feel.