25 Easy Decorative Pillow Tutorials (Make Throw Pillows)

I am sharing 25 ways to make Easy decorative pillows with tutorials. You can decorate them with different fabrics, felt, burlap, or embellish them with buttons, pom poms, stencil paint and so much more. You can add embellishments or make flowers and pin them to plain store-brought pillows.

Why Make Your Own Decorative Pillows?

Decorative throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to update your home décor on a budget. Instead of buying new ones, you can make your own in just a few steps to spruce up any room. With fabric, stuffing, and a little creativity, you can create pillows that perfectly match your home style.

Best of all, many pillow tutorials are no-sew or beginner-friendly, so you don’t need advanced sewing skills to get started.

Types of Pillows

There are a variety of pillow styles that range from beginner-friendly, no-sew options to more advanced techniques that are still easy to master. Find your perfect project and start decorating it with these fun ideas!

Beginner-Friendly: No-Sew and Simple Sewing

1. The Classic Envelope Pillow Cover: Uses two overlapping back panels to create a pocket for the pillow insert, eliminating the need for a zipper.
2. Iron-On Hem Tape Pillow: For those who want to skip the machine entirely, this project uses heat-activated adhesive tape to create strong, clean seams.
3. The DIY Pillowcase Cover: A clever hack! Simply sew one end of a standard pillowcase shut to create an easy, no-fuss throw pillow cover.
4. Simple Square Pillow with a Slit: An easy alternative to the envelope back. This design involves sewing three sides and leaving a slit on the fourth to insert the pillow form, which is then hand-stitched closed.

Building Your Skills: Adding Detail and Texture

1. The Classic Zippered Pillow: A removable cover with hidden zipper is key for easy washing.
2. The “Karate Chop” Pillow: The secret to achieving that designer-favorite “karate chop” look is by making your cover slightly smaller than the pillow form.

Next-Level Projects: Creative Shapes and Techniques

1. The Bolster Pillow: Learn to sew a classic cylindrical pillow, perfect for lumbar support or as a decorative accent on a bed.
2. The Floor Pillow: Go big by creating a large, durable pillow perfect for extra seating in a casual living space.
3. The Piped Pillow: Add a professional touch by learning how to sew piping along the seams of your pillow for a crisp, finished edge.

Let’s get started with the easiest and most creative pillow decorating ideas and tutorials:

25 Easy Decorative Pillow Tutorials

1. Gathered Rosettes Burlap Pillow Tutorial

Make fabric rosettes and stitch them on burlap pillow. You’ll gather strips of fabric into a spiral to create a beautiful, textural rose design to attach on the pillow’s front.

rosette pillow tutorial

2. Printed Pillow Tutorial

Have you favorite pictures printed on your throw pillows! All you need is a printer, and fabric to print.

Sew it when done. Think about the possibilities.

Printed pillow tutorial

3. Felt Specimen Art Pillow

A simple way to add life to a pillow! Add embellishments. You can cut and stitch anything using felt. I am thinking about making a cars pillow like this one!

4. Make Ruffled pillow tutorial

Stitch a long strip of ruffled frill in circle.

5. Recycled Sweater into Pillow Cover

Turn your good old sweaters into pillows. This is a great way to use those grown out sweaters that you don’t want to throw.

Related: 40 Meaningful Memory Keepsake Ideas to Treasure Life

Cute Decorative Pillow Tutorials

6. Stripes Pillow Tutorial

Love this one! Use stripes of different fabric to make a pillow.

Make stripes pillow

7. Handmade Pillow Gift Idea

Handmade gifts are so special. One of the idea is to stencil words on a pillow. You can make a throw pillow with song lyrics also.

8. Stenciled Pillow

Herringbone pattern stenciled onto a pillow. The black and blue makes it stand out so well.

9. Make Recycled Napkin Pillows

Great idea! Recycle napkins into pillows. Use fabric medium to keep stencil in place and brush them in various patterns with fabric paints.

10. Make Shag Pillow

Stitch strips of fabric ruffled to make a shag pillow.

Shag pillow tutorial

Decorative Pillow Tutorials to Make as Gift

11. Muslin Ruffle Pillow

Add two layers of stitched fabric ruffles and buttons on top.

12. Revamp Rosettes Pillow

Add a bunch of fabric rosettes to revamp a pillow.

13. Gift Worthy Reading Pillow Tutorial

Add a pocket and loop to a pillow and there you have a cute travel pillow.

Books pillow tutorial

14. Spray Painted Pillow Tutorial

Cut out your design on fabric-infused vinyl or use freezer paper cutouts. Place them on your fabric and iron on fabric to fix it place. Now spray paint your fabric and let it dry. Peel and reveal the pattern.

Painted pillow tutorial

15. Monogram Reverse Applique Pillow

A reverse applique monogram pillow is a technique where you layer fabrics. Trace and cut away the top layer to reveal a pattern from the contrasting fabric below.

Felt Decorative Pillow Tutorials

16. Painted Monogram Pillow

Stencil paint or applique a monogram onto a pillow. I love the ruffled frill detail on the side. You may cut out a design from a different fabric and use an iron-on adhesive or simple stitching to attach it to your pillow cover.

17. Spring Felt Pillow

Make a sunflower with felt teardrop cutouts for Sunshine!

18. Make Felt Pattern Pillow

This pillow is made by stitching strips of felt at different locations and braided as you go to make a lattice pattern. Beautiful!

Felt pillow tutorial

19. Pom Pom Trim Throw Pillow

Oh my cuteness! Add a playful handmade pom-pom trim to the seam of your pillow cover.

Recycled Decorative Pillow Tutorials

20. Fabric Patches Pillow

Mix and match different fabric patterned panels to make a strips pillow and add fabric rosettes. A great way to use up fabric scraps.

21. DIY Fringe Pillow

Add a dramatic touch by simply gluing or sewing a ready-made fringe trim around the edges of a pre-made or basic pillow cover.

Related: 32 Pom Pom Winter Crafts for Kids

22. Upcycled Denim Patchwork Pillow

Turn old jeans into decorative throw pillows by sewing several squares or rectangles of different fabrics togehter. You can also make frayed edge pillow by intentionally fraying the edges for a casual, rustic look.

Related: 30 Most Popular Floral Hand Embroidered Jeans Ideas

23. Repurposed Doily Decorative Pillow

Dip dye a doily and hand stitch it onto the pillow.

Related: What to Make with Crochet Doilies?

24. Decorative Button-Front Throw Pillow

A simple envelope-style pillow with a grid of large, decorative buttons, sequins, or beads for a chic detail.

Related: 60 Button Art Ideas for your handmade boutique

25. Faux Fur Pillow:

Create a cozy, textured pillow by sewing two squares of luxurious faux fur together. The raw edges can be left for a shaggy look or turned under.

26. Tassel Pillow Corners:

A quick way to add a bohemian vibe by attaching handmade or store-bought tassels to each of the pillow’s four corners.

27. Ribbon Accent Pillow:

Use a simple straight stitch to add decorative ribbons to the front of your pillow in a grid, stripe, or geometric pattern.

Related: 40 DIY tulle fabric projects to make and sell from home

28. Tie-Dye Pillowcases:

Create colorful patterns with fabric dye or Shibori Indigo with Japanese tie-dye look using natural indigo dye.

Related: 30 ways to make Abstract Art projects

29. Tied-Bow Pillow:

A charming detail. Leave an opening and tie the seam closed with fabric ties or ribbon for a sweet, gift-like look.

Related: 25 Best bow tutorials – learn to make stylish bows

Common Questions About DIY Pillows

1. What’s the easiest way to make a pillow for a beginner?

The envelope-style pillow cover is the most beginner-friendly project. It requires only straight-line stitching and no zippers or complicated closures. Try the no-sew method using hot glue or hem tape is the easiest. Simply cut fabric, glue the edges, and stuff.

2. What’s the best fabric for a decorative pillow?

Cotton or Canvas: Great for beginners due to their stability and ease of sewing.

1. Linen: Offers a natural, elegant, and slightly textured look.
2. Velvet or Faux Fur: Perfect for adding a touch of luxury and softness.
3. Outdoor Fabric: Recommended for pillows that will be used on a porch or patio.

3. How much fabric do I need for a pillow cover?

For a standard 18 inches pillow, you need about ½ yard of fabric. Larger pillows may require 1 yard or more.

4. What size pillow form should you get?

For a plump, professional look, your pillow form should be 1-2 inches larger than your finished pillow cover. For example, use a 20-inch insert for an 18-inch cover. This prevents a saggy, under-stuffed appearance.

5. How do you hide the zipper on a pillow?

The key is to use an invisible zipper and an invisible zipper foot on your sewing machine. The zipper is sewn into the seam in a way that the teeth are completely hidden when closed.

6. How can you add fringe or pom-poms to your pillow?

Simply sandwich the fringe or pom-pom trim between the two layers of fabric on the right sides before you sew them together. The “header” of the trim (the part you sew) should be lined up with the raw edge of your fabric. When you turn the pillow cover right side out, the trim will be perfectly positioned along the seam.

7. How do you make a pillow without a sewing machine?

You can use fabric glue or iron-on fusible webbing/hem tape. These methods create a secure bond and are perfect for simple square or rectangle pillow covers.

8. What kind of stuffing should you use?

Polyester Fiberfill (Poly-fil): A very common and inexpensive option that is lightweight and hypoallergenic.

• Feather/Down Inserts: The choice of designers. They are more expensive but create a soft, luxurious feel and are easy to “karate chop.”
• Shredded Foam or Old Clothing: A great way to upcycle! Just be sure to shred the material into small, consistent pieces to avoid lumps.

9. What’s the difference between a pillow cover and a pillow?

A pillow cover is the removable outer case, while a pillow is the complete object, including the insert. Making a cover allows you to easily change out your decor and wash the cover separately.

10. Can you wash DIY pillow covers?

Yes—if you use washable fabric and fabric glue that is laundry-safe, or if you sew the covers with washable thread.

11. How do you make pillow covers removable?

Use envelope-style backs, zippers, or button closures for easy washing and changing.

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