• Home
  • DIY & Crafts
    • Sewing Projects
    • Printables
    • Baby & Kids
    • DIY Gift Ideas
    • Paper Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Recipes & Easy Cakes
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Vintage Inspired
  • Holidays
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter Crafts
    • Earth Day
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year’s Eve
  • Birthdays & Parties
    • Birthdays
    • Easy Cakes for Kids
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
    • About Merriment Design
    • Portfolio & Press
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Merriment Design

DIY projects, crafts, free sewing patterns and printables that look handmade, not homemade

Home / Project Type / Recycled Crafts / DIY Pillow from a Pile of Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches

DIY Pillow from a Pile of Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches

September 4, 2012 by Kathy

  • Share
  • Tweet

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Make a DIY pillow from a pile of leftover sofa fabric swatches. It takes just an hour or so to put together this pillow with a quilted look that actually doesn’t require any quilting. It was really quick and easy to make and I’ll even show you how to put in a pillow zipper.

Oh sofa indecision. I had it bad. So bad that I ended up with an embarrassingly large pile of sofa fabric swatches from Room & Board and Crate & Barrel.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Thank goodness I finally made a sofa decision and I haven’t second guessed my purchase. But collecting the pile of fabric swatch samples? Well, that I regret. And as a closet pack rate I can’t throw such nice fabric away.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

I asked you on my Facebook wall: what should I make with a pile of sofa fabric swatches? Great ideas there, and I’d already been leaning towards a pillow first so I decided to tackle that first. So I started arranging them into patterns like so…

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

And when I landed on a pattern that I liked, I cut them, pinned it and sewed them together. And it looks quilted even though it’s not really quilted …it is much easier than quilting.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

So thank you, the very patient salespeople of Room & Board and Crate & Barrel who dealt with my multiple visits and sheepish swatch solicitations. And I did end up finally buying a new sofa and it looks amazing …and now I’m thinking the losing swatches are looking pretty good too.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Wanna make it? Keep reading for my free tutorial to make a DIY pillow from leftover sofa fabric swatches

This post contain affiliate links which means that products I recommend may give me a nominal commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks – your clicks help me make more free DIYs!

++++++

Supplies for making a DIY Pillow from a Pile of Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches:

  • 15 sofa sample fabric swatches (4″ x 4″ each)
  • Fabric for front and back (I used some nice wool felt)
  • 16″ x 12″ pillow form (I used a feather stuffed form)
  • 12″ zipper
  • Thread
  • Sewing machine with a nice zigzag stitch
  • Rotary fabric cutter, clear ruler and self-healing mat
  • Good fabric scissors
  • Pins

—

How to make a DIY Pillow from a Pile of Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches:

Step 1: Arrange your sofa fabric swatches into a pattern

Gather 15 sofa fabric samples that measure 4″ x 4″ and arrange them on a 17″ x 12″ piece of backing fabric. Yep, it’s 17″ x 12″ rather than 17″ x 13″ just because of the fabric sample sizes but when you stuff in the feather pillow insert it’ll be OK. In the picture below I had rough cut a piece of cream wool felt and arranged the pieces like so. So I did full squares alternated with 2.5″ rectangles.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

When you’re ready to commit then cut 2.5″ strips for the two narrow columns.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Pin it down on so that the swatches touch one another.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

When you’re done it will look something like this:

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Step 2: Sew sofa swatches together using a wide and tight zigzag stitch

Set your sewing machine for a tight and wide zigzag stitch. Take your scraps and do a test until you come up with something that looks nice that’s also wide enough to secure both sides of the swatches.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now start sewing down the fabric swatches to the background.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Sew the columns…

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

And it’ll look like this.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now sew the rows making sure to pull the swatches together as you sew.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Square off the backing piece if you were lazy like I was and rough cut the backing in the first place.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Then it’ll look like this.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Step 3: Sew pillow zipper

Now here’s how to put in a pillow zipper. Center the zipper on the bottom long edge of the pillow, face down, with the outer edge aligned with the raw bottom edge. Pin it down.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now here’s a trick to avoid trying to sew around the zipper pull. Zip the zipper closed about 4 inches. Put a zipper foot onto your sewing machine so that you can sew closer to the zipper.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now sew close to the zipper teeth…

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

…really close, and slow down when you get closer to the zipper pull. And stop when you get close, making sure the needle is down.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Lift up your presser foot as high as it can go and unzip the zipper, wiggling the zipper pull underneath the zipper pull.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now you can keep sewing and it’ll be nice and straight — if you had tried to sew around the zipper pull then you would have ended up with a messy curved place that wouldn’t look so good.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

So here it is all nice and sewed down.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

And here’s a long shot…

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

And another close-up shot.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Place the pillow back right side up on your table. Now sandwich the sewn pillow back wrong side up.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Pin the other side of the zipper onto the bottom long side of the pillow back. Your zipper should be completely open.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Start to sew close to the zipper teeth again using your zipper foot.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Sew all the way down and slow down when you get close to the end. Make sure the needle is down…

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

…pull up the presser foot as high as it can go and zip the zipper closed a few inches past where the needle is. Then keep sewing to the end. Again, doing it this way will avoid trying to sew around the zipper pull which will just end up with a curved messy stitch.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

So here’s the zipper all sewn in. Nice, huh? Nice and straight, no curves!

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Here’s another shot.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now close the zipper and put it right side up on your table.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Step 4: Sew pillow front to pillow back

Put a pin where the metal top piece of the zipper is.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Like so.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Repeat this on the other side of the zipper.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

And put a pin right there.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Pin around the rest of the pillow sides. You can skip the pins if you’re feeling lucky but obviously today I was not πŸ™‚

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Now be sure to open your zipper at least halfway. I don’t have a picture of this but you need to do this or you’ll sew your pillow completely shut, whoops. OK so sew around the pillow perimeter from the right side of the zipper to the left side of the zipper, starting and ending at the zipper pins.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

I like to use blue painter’s tape to help me sew more straight.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Your pillow is basically sewn now. You could finish the edges if you’d like but because I used wool felt and don’t really plan on washing it I just left it like this.

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

Step 5: Turn and stuff pillow

Turn it right side out. You can clip the corners before you do this but I skipped it. Now stuff with your feather pillow insert and toss onto your new sofa!

How to make a DIY Pillow from Leftover Sofa Fabric Swatches sewing tutorial

—

Like it? Share it!
The nicest way to say you like it is to pin it on Pinterest, post a comment, follow Merriment Design on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or sign up for monthly emails. Enjoy! πŸ™‚

Copyright stuff: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and tutorial for personal use. Contact me for commercial use and Etsy sales.

 

Save

Filed Under: DIY Tutorials, Earth Day, Free Patterns, Home Decor, Recycled Crafts, Sewing Projects

About Kathy

I'm Kathy, maker of things and Chicago mom who likes simple and clever DIYs that look handmade, not homemade. I like sewing, printables, handmade birthdays, holiday decor and easy cakes. See my work at HGTV, DIY Network, Apartment Therapy, DesignSponge, more. βœ‚οΈ

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

More Posts

  • Make a DIY Winter Hat from Recycled SweatersMake a DIY Winter Hat from Recycled Sweaters
  • Free Baby Bib Sewing Pattern for Drooly BabiesFree Baby Bib Sewing Pattern for Drooly Babies
  • Felt Stove DIY Kids Play Kitchen (roll it up, put it away)Felt Stove DIY Kids Play Kitchen (roll it up, put it away)
  • The Best Way To Sew Bias Tape With Mitered Corners {photos plus a video}The Best Way To Sew Bias Tape With Mitered Corners {photos plus a video}
Insulated Holder for Stick Popsicles and Frozen Yogurt
Mini frittatas recipe using muffin tins
Kathy Beymer from Merriment Design
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Join for monthly DIYs, giveaways & exclusives

Recent Posts

Heart alphabet letter handmade Valentine's Day card or valentines artwork

Heart Alphabet Letters Handmade for Valentine’s Day

Dogs and hearts DIY clay magnets clay crafts idea

How to make clay fridge magnets – easy DIY tutorial

Visit my etsy store

  • Ashlee Taylor, etsy purchaserAshlee Taylor, etsy purchaserPhoto Props Editable Sayings Bubbles and Ages Printable

    "Great deal! I was able to custom it and when I had any question, she responded instantly to my messages. You can also use the print outs for other things like the photo booth characters, which is just the cutest idea ever! I highly recommend this shop!"

  • Shannie Lou, etsy purchaserShannie Lou, etsy purchaserPersonalized Frozen-inspired Snowflake Birthday Banner printable

    "Easy to personalize and wonderful crisp image"

  • Melissa Rassi, etsy purchaserMelissa Rassi, etsy purchaserStar Wars Parody Opening Crawl Stair Risers Signs

    "This item is so clever! I knew I had to have it for my son's Star Wars birthday party. The download was simple and easy to modify with my own text changes. The instructions on how to get it printed at FedEx Office were easy to follow. Thank you so much for this great item! Easiest party decoration I ever made!"

  • Monica Mora-Handlos, etsy purchaserMonica Mora-Handlos, etsy purchaserPrintable Super Hero birthday banner and iron-on

    "This was just what I needed to make a superhero shirt for my husband's birthday party. He loved it!! Thanks for the great digital file!"

  • Emma Wilson, etsy purchaserEmma Wilson, etsy purchaserpersonalized construction t-shirt iron on printable PDF

    "Thrilled to bits with my boys personalised birthday party t-shirt! Fantastic design and very clear instructions, thank you."

  • Jen White, etsy purchaserJen White, etsy purchaserpurchased personalized milestone postcards

    "I don't think there is a nicer person in the world to work with! Such a beautiful job and everything explained in detail! Thank you!"

Get Craft & DIY Monthly Emails

[email protected]
xo Kathy
  • Home
  • DIY & Crafts
  • Holidays
  • Birthdays & Parties
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact

Copyright © 2021 · Merriment Design Co. All Rights Reserved. · Privacy Policy