| Pillows 101 |
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| Editor: Jeanie Nance |
| Monday, 02 February 2009 07:00 |
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Pillows are the star performers of home decor. They make a huge difference in how a room looks and are super easy to sew. if you are new to sewing, a pillow project is the perfect beginner project. If you can sew a straight line, you can make a pillow. And don't tell me you can't sew a straight line! That's what those guide lines on the bed of the sewing machine are for. If he had an opposable thumb, my dog could sew a straight line.
Another great thing about pillows is they don't take a lot of fabric, so they are economical AND easy. The pillow form or filler (what the pillow is stuffed with) is usually the most expensive part of the construction. I've included some online resources at the end of this article, but you can also look for sales and coupon discounts at your local fabric store. I've even been known to troll garage sales and secondhand stores for pillows with a good shape but bad fabric. I tear off the old fabric, gently launder the pillow form, and make my own fresh new cover. Yet another cool thing about pillows is because they are economical and easy (see above) you can make LOTS of them and change out the look of your room every season, every holiday, every month should you so desire. Remember, if you choose a pillow pattern with an envelope closure or a zipper (as opposed to a sewn seam along every edge), you can even reuse those expensive pillow forms when you change out your look. Simply make new pillow covers in the same shapes and sizes of the forms you already have, and you'll create your own pillow wardrobe. Be a little careful though, or your pillows are going to want matching shoes and handbags.
Living Room PillowsIf you're like most people, you have a sofa, maybe a loveseat, a few easy chairs. No matter what your furniture, you can use throw pillows to set the tone you like. For a modern look, place a few larger (18" or more) pillows on your sofa. These should be in bold colors that coordinate or contrast with the colors in the room. For a more traditional or cottage look, use a greater number of smaller pillows in a vintage fabric. In both cases, you can use a variety of pillow shapes. Sham, Roll, Cushion, Toss – the Pile of Pillows Defined. If you'd rather hide your sofa, make cushion size pillows to go along the back, accented with smaller throw pillows. The same rules apply for your loveseat and chairs. To make your living room a more cozy place for people to gather to play games or watch movies, make some floor cushions. When you toss these out, you'll increase your seating capacity and create a relaxed atmosphere. Bedroom Pillows
Smaller spaces can be even more dramatically affected with pillows. For a child's bedroom or a college dorm room, make some fun throw pillows to go with the bedspread. Here's where you can boldly carry out the theme of the room. If you're doing nautical, put a big anchor or compass on the pillow. If it's a dorm room with "college freshman" as a theme, you can't go wrong with school colors.
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