Refashioned Fabric Pillows

If you have worn out pillows, don't pull out your wallet! Instead, grab some fabric and get ready to learn how to sew a pillow that will be stylish and comfy.

Materials:

• Standard bed pillows
• 2 yards of the bandana print
• 2 yards of solid black
• Red thread
• 12 red buttons

Instructions:

Note: I washed the fabric before doing any cutting. I've learned that lesson well!
 

1. I measured the pillows and an example sham I had. I came up with a finished sham size of 20"x25". I cut the bandana fabric (the front pieces) 20 1/2"x25 1/2", allowing for a 1/4 hem. An additional 1/2" edge is considered in the measurements. The back is made up of 2 pieces. Rather than making the back open in the middle, I offset it near one side so the buttons would not be in the way if the children lay on that side of the pillow. Of the black, I cut one 20 1/2"x22 3/4" and one 20 1/2"x5 3/4" piece. This will allow a 2 1/2" overlap.
   
   
    
2. Beginning with the back pieces, I sewed a hem on each piece of 1/4" at one end (along the 20 1/2" length). Then, on the small piece, I sewed 3 buttonholes about 1" from the hemmed edge.
   
   
    
3. I pinned the front and back pieces together, right sides facing. I overlapped the back pieces with the small piece under the large piece (so when turned right-side-out, the buttonholes will be on the outside). Next, I sewed a 1/4" inch seam around the pinned piece. I clipped the corners to make the edge corners lay flat. At this point, I turned the sham right-side-out and ironed the seams.
   
   
    
4. Back at the machine, I sewed a new seam around the entire piece on the right side 1/8" from the edge. I then sewed another seam edge to edge on all four sides around 1/2" from the edge.  Each seam began and finished with a reverse stitch.  I was also careful to reverse stitch over the spots where the back openings met the sides.
    
5. Finishing touch - buttons!