DIY interior ottomans and unusual pillows

When we talk about decorative pillows, we most often mean those that decorate sofas. However, there is a large category that delights almost everyone, but most often remains outside of handicraft projects - we are talking about DIY large floor pillows. Agree, it is difficult to find a person who, at the sight of such a thing, would not want to fall, dive in, relax, rest and relax. Alas, in a standard city apartment it is not always easy to find free space for large floor pillows, but if you're lucky enough to have plenty of open space in your home, be sure to sew, craft, and create! For the most part, these are simple projects that even novice craftswomen can implement. Cool, comfortable, cozy and simply beautiful - there is no reason not to sew.

How to sew a floor pillow with your own hands - 5 master classes:

A little history

Hugs came to us from Japan. It was in the Land of the Rising Sun that a large cylindrical pillow was used to separate the sleeping places of numerous relatives who huddled in one small hospitable house. “What is the name of the hug pillow?” - you ask, and the Japanese will answer - “dakimakura”.

Fans of such original sleeping accessories never part with them on trips and long journeys. Dakimakura helps relieve stress, fatigue and creates a cozy homely atmosphere.

An original gift for a loved one

European manufacturers have gone further than their colleagues from the East; they have created a sleeping accessory that hugs its owner. A pillow with a hand is not a joke, but a real thing that will not just be a pleasant gift, but will also provide comfort. A special feature of the pillow is that it can be worn not only in a pillowcase, it can be replaced with real clothes of an adult, this will only add bright emotions.

Sewing pillows for sofas and sofas to order

It often happens that the wooden frame of upholstered furniture is still in very good condition, but the seats have already worn out and sagged. Sewing pillows to order in our studio is a very convenient way to update furniture: it will save effort and time searching for a new sofa, armchairs and chairs. And the costs will be several times less than when buying new upholstered furniture.

Most often, people order from us to sew pillows for a sofa, daybed, “book”, “eurobook” and other versions of sofas. The armchairs are also a favorite; even chairs that seemingly do not belong to upholstered furniture must be equipped with soft and beautiful seats.

The atelier offers different options for “filling” pillows for sofas, sofas, armchairs and other upholstered furniture. You can choose complex spring ones or simple springless ones. Experts will advise clients on each type of pillow. The final cost of the order will also depend on the choice of materials.

What is this pillow for?

The hug pillow is a constant companion on long trips and trips for many people. It can protect from cold, loneliness and remind you of the comfort of your home. By making it yourself, you can give a nice gift for March 8th and the birthday of a loved one.

And if you choose a larger size, you can place it along the entire body. The pillows are so flexible that they easily change shape, adapting to a person’s figure. They can be placed not only under the arms or legs, but also under a large belly. Such a gift will be a pleasant accessory for a pregnant girl. Moreover, it is very easy to care for.

Square pillow made from pieces of fabric

Large projects, of course, require large investments - a small sofa cushion will require much less materials and, accordingly, finances than a floor cushion. However, a way out of their situation can be found - for example, sewing a pillow from pieces of fabric left at home after completing other projects.

How to sew a square floor pillow from different pieces of fabric - a detailed master class from Twinkleandtwine

Types of pillows

The market offers “hug pillows” that are completely different in shape; they come in the shape of the letter G, I, U or G. When purchasing a pillow, you need to decide which one will be the most comfortable for its owner. For example, a U-shaped pillow may not be suitable for a pregnant girl, because it is too large, and she needs to calculate whether there will be enough room for her husband?

But the hug pillow, the pattern of which is similar to the number 7, has only one side, so it will absolutely not interfere with a pregnant woman who will be hugged by her beloved man from the other side.

I-shape cuddles will be equally beneficial for men and women, and they are also comfortable for two people to sleep on. For a small child it can be used as a restraint. However, it should keep its shape and be of medium elasticity.

There are pillows for children in the shape of two hands or a favorite animal. The child will sleep peacefully while the mother is away.

Making a case

The pillow cover must be sewn from very durable fabric so that the product lasts as long as possible and does not tear. It is best to choose a tapestry. If you decide to buy a lighter and weaker fabric, then you will definitely need to sew a lining onto it. When working on the cover, the sequence of actions will be as follows:

• Prepare the necessary materials. Fabric, a zipper, scissors, pins or needles, and a sewing machine.
• We take measurements of the padding polyester frame for our pillow. We add 3-4 centimeters to these measurements so that the case does not turn out to be small.
• If the fabric chosen for the pillowcase is light, you will have to sew a lining to it.
• Take the piece of fabric that will be the front of your pillowcase. Place it in front of you with the same side up. Attach the zipper to the edge of the fabric with pins or needles; if it is longer, it’s okay. The unnecessary part of the zipper can be cut off later.
• Using a sewing machine you need to sew a zipper to the fabric. Before this, the pins securing the product must be removed one by one. Backstitch only one side of the zipper to the fabric, while the other side will be sewn to another piece of fabric.

• Next, take the fabric that will be used as the back of the pillow. Lay it out in front of you, back side up. The back and front of the pillow should match. Sew the zipper to the second part of the fabric with the side that we did not touch at first. Thus, the zipper is sewn to two parts of the pillow at once: front and back.
• Then we need to finally sew our product. To do this, use a regular foot on a sewing machine instead of a flat one. And leave an allowance of 1-3 centimeters. And stitch the product around the entire perimeter.
• Remove any excess zipper. You can decorate the pillowcase with ribbons, flowers and beads. Next, all that remains is to place the synthetic padding frame of the pillow in the pillowcase.

Ready!

DIY hug pillow: manufacturing features

Excellent products are made from high-quality knitwear, and this fabric is also very convenient to work with. Original pillows in the form of dolls are made from knitwear that are especially soulful. Clothes are simply sewn onto the “hug”, and the child can not only hug it while sleeping, but also play. For such products, it is also appropriate to use aromatic oils with a calming effect, for example, lavender. You just need to drop a few drops on the top of the head of a kind of pillow doll.

A wide variety of fillers can be used for stuffing. One of the best options may be a drainer. This is sheep's wool of natural color, it undergoes washing and primary processing. Initially, a pillow made from such material will be fluffy, but over time it will settle and make the “hug” plastic, and then the product will easily take the required position.

How to choose the right fabric

The choice of fabric is determined by the filling of the product. It is worth paying attention to the quality of the material. Textiles should not split or fall apart. It should be pleasant to the touch, have an original color, with edges that are easy to sew.

Combination of filler and cover fabric:

• if there is fluff or feather inside, then teak must be used;
• when using synthetic filler, the best choice is cotton fabric;
• The color scheme can be any, but it is better to buy plain pastel colors.

Fabric options for the cover
You definitely need to know the dimensions of the future product. Naturally, you should only use new textiles, since recycled materials will worsen the appearance and tactile quality of the product.

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Sewing instructions

Most often, pillows are made in the shape of the letter U, C or G, while its ends can be of completely different shapes and lengths. A hand-made hug pillow (patterns are made from whatman paper or wallpaper) should be about 1.5 m in length and at least 30-40 cm wide.

The finished paper sample is laid out on a fabric folded in half and traced. When starting to cut out a product, it is worth remembering the seam allowances. It is best to choose a natural and dense material that will not cause irritation. As for color, dark shades are preferable, so the pillow will not get dirty very quickly, but you can also think about a bright-colored pillowcase, in which case the product will become more convenient to use.

On the wrong side, taking into account the allowances, a stitch is made along the contour of the product. You need to leave about 40 cm to fill the pillow. When the handwork is completed, the edges are sewn on a machine, not forgetting the hole for filling.

Next, you need to remove the basting and turn the product right side out. To give the hug pillow a neat appearance, the fabric is smoothed with an iron. After this, you need to fill the pillow: synthetic padding quickly cakes, holofiber is more practical, but natural fillers are environmentally friendly, the main thing is that they do not cause an allergic reaction. It is most convenient to start stuffing from the edges. Once completed, the hole is closed with a hidden stitch. A bright and original product will not only hug you when you feel sad, it can become a bright decoration for your bed or sofa.

Preparing to sew

Since soft decorative objects are often moved from place to place, dropped, and children play with them. Therefore, to create them you need to choose durable fabric, safe padding with an elastic texture that does not change its shape under physical influence. Sewing beautiful sofa cushions consists of several stages: choosing the material, selecting the appropriate padding and sewing itself.

Choosing fabric

Choosing fabric for thinking is the very first and most important stage. The main quality of the selected material should be strength. If you still have no idea how to sew a pillow for a sofa with your own hands, then it is best to choose simple fabrics: cotton or chintz. Also commonly used fabrics: felt, silk, linen, upholstery material or calico. For knitted pillows, it is best to use old knitted sweaters or unnecessary bulky jumpers. An important factor in the material used should be color fastness and texture density so that the padding material does not fall out.

Pros and cons of different types of fabrics

Natural fabrics:

• Calico fabric is easy to care for, has a light and breathable texture. Cons: sensitive to high temperatures, can shrink, easily wrinkled and short-lived material.
• Silk is distinguished by its strength and wear resistance, can be washed at a fairly high temperature (about 110 degrees), and is a highly breathable material. Cons: wrinkles easily, the price is quite high.
• Linen fabric is hypoallergenic, breathable, and washable. Cons: shrinks quickly and wrinkles very easily, the material itself is harsh.

For the interior:
Jeans, flannel and felt are fabrics of denser origin, which have their own characteristics:

• Jeans or denim is a breathable and quite durable fabric, the colors look very stylish and fashionable, and are environmentally friendly. Cons: highly susceptible to fading, hardens and shrinks after washing.
• Fleece is a budget fabric, pleasant to the touch and practical to use, hypoallergenic. Disadvantages: during sewing it frays a lot, which causes certain difficulties, and the fabric is absolutely not elastic.
• Felt - there are no back and front sides, which simplifies its use, a large range of colors, containing 90-100% wool. Cons: pills may appear after washing, it is afraid of high heating temperatures, both during washing and during steam treatment, and if washed incorrectly, it loses its shape.

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Additional Information! When sewing decorative pillows, a combination of fabrics is allowed; one side can be linen and the other silk. It looks unusual and beautiful. You can also create your own patterns from many scraps of different fabrics. This type of needlework is called patchwork.

Curtain to match the style of pillows

Filler selection

Just sewing a pillowcase is only a small part of the work done; it still needs to be stuffed. There are two types of padding:

• Natural filler (plant or animal origin).
• Artificial filler.

The advantages of natural fillers, in this case of animal origin, are their long service life, practically no caking, and maintain good sanitary and hygienic properties. The only thing is that such material is rarely used when sewing decorative pillows, since they are not fluffed like sleeping pillows. Such fillers include feathers and down.

Fillers of plant origin are often used for medicinal purposes or for people with certain types of allergies to down or synthetics. The filling can be: bamboo, medicinal herbs, buckwheat husks or hop cones. Cons: this material has the ability to rot, become damp and even rot, so it requires very careful care.

Original design

Artificial filler: holofiber and synthetic fluff. These are the most recommended materials that will not lose their elasticity over the years. Cotton wool, padding polyester, etc., these materials are absolutely not suitable for stuffing decorative pillows, as they tend to quickly clump and cake.

For pillows in a children's room, it is best to use silicone granules; also, this type of material does not get wet and is hypoallergenic.

Important! Dummies with artificial filling can be easily washed in a washing machine, eliminating accumulated dust, which is not permissible with filling made from natural materials.

Necessary items for sewing:

• Scissors;
• Fabric and padding, zipper (for certain types of pillows);
• Sewing machine (can also be sewn by hand);
• Tailor's pins and needles;
• Meter or simple ruler, chalk;
• Threads, pattern on cardboard or instructions;
• Iron.

Step-by-step master class on sewing pillows

All materials are prepared, tools are collected, you can start sewing the pillow:

• We decide what size and shape the thought will be, let’s say a square, 50x50 cm.
• On the laid out fabric from the wrong side you need to draw two 50x50 squares, adding 2-3 cm around the perimeter for the seam.
• Folded squares with the front part facing inward should be pierced with pins along the perimeter so that the fabric does not move out and cut out.

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Furniture cushion

The next stage is stitching the prepared parts:

• You need to start sewing by stitching 3 sides of the cut pieces, without removing the pin so that the fabric does not slip. Retreating the same 2-3 cm that were left in reserve.
• Bend the resulting seams to one side and iron them thoroughly, then turn them right side out.
• Fill the resulting pillowcase with the selected filling and stitch the remaining side, bending the seam inward.

Large sofa cushion

Cushions for sofas of impressive size require good skill and acquired practice during sewing. The sewing algorithm is exactly the same as for standard products that were described earlier. It is enough to increase the dimensions of the finished pattern to the required parameters. Large sofa cushions can also be made under furniture, covered with upholstery furniture textiles.