We love all the projects we get to create here at Sew4Home, but there are some that rise to the top. Certain special ones we want to keep for ourselves to decorate our own homes as opposed to just display in the S4H studio. Today’s faux fur throw and pillow certainly make that list. So easy yet so luxuriously elegant, we couldn’t stop hugging them. Part of our specialty fabric series sponsored by Fabric.com, the steps are so simple, you’ll spend more time vacuuming up all the stray fur than actually sewing. One or both would make great gifts… that is if you are able to let them go once you’re done. We couldn’t! Make two… there’ll be less crying.

We love all the projects we get to create here at Sew4Home, but there are some that rise to the top. Certain special ones we want to keep for ourselves to decorate our own homes as opposed to just display in the S4H studio. Today’s faux fur throw and pillow certainly make that list. So easy yet so luxuriously elegant, we couldn’t stop hugging them. Part of our specialty fabric series sponsored by Fabric.com, the steps are so simple, you’ll spend more time vacuuming up all the stray fur than actually sewing. One or both would make great gifts… that is if you are able to let them go once you’re done. We couldn’t! Make two… there’ll be less crying.

Faux fur is everywhere this season! If you are new to working with it, check out our tutorial. Then, sit back and browse through the pages and pages of beautiful faux fur at Fabric.com. There’s so much to choose from and it all looks so real! There are a number of options in colors not normally found in nature; you’d call them fun , faux fur. But the samples we selected had the look, feel and drape of the real deal. So rich and soft, you have to indulge. Our genuine fur tester (see above) was certainly fooled, and happy to sit next to the throw as a new furry friend.

Our thanks to Fabric.com for providing all the fabric and sponsoring our Series. We have lots more coming up in the new few days featuring the lush-est, plushest, most trendy fabrics for Fall and Winter and concluding with a fantastic Great Giveaway.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome Memory Craft Horizon)

Pillow Supplies & Instructions

Fabric and Other Supplies

• ⅔ yard of 58-60″ wide faux fur fabric: we used 60″ Faux Fur Grooved Mink White from Fabric.com
• One 20″x 20″ pillow insert; we used a feather/down insert from Fabric.com
• 11″-16″ invisible zipper in color to match faux fur: optional
• All-purpose sewing thread
• Scissors
• See-through ruler
• Tape measure
• Fabric pencil or pen
• Straight pins
• Hand sewing needle – if you are not using a zipper

NOTE : Fabric.com has an absolutely stunning selection of faux fur and would be our recommended place to start your shopping. However, because the project uses just two 20″ x 20″ squares, you might be able to find faux fur remnants that could work. You could also think about cutting the squares out of an old faux fur coat or jacket for a great re-make/re-use project.

Getting Started

1. From the faux fur fabric cut TWO 20″ x 20″ squares. If you use the same faux mink fabric we selected, make sure to cut your pieces as mirror images of one another so the pretty ridges in the fur line up front to back.

At Your Sewing Machine

As we mentioned above, check out our Sewing with Faux Fur article for pinning, cutting and sewing tips.

Optional zipper

1. We inserted a 16″ invisible zipper into the bottom seam of our pillow. This is optional to allow you to wash the pillow cover. The faux fur we selected can be machined washed on cold and air dried.
2. You can skip the zipper and simply seam all sides, leaving a 6-8″ opening to turn, and then handstitch the opening closed with a slip stitch or whip stitch.
3. To go with our zipper method, pick an invisible zipper between 11″ and 16″ in length. With invisible zippers, you work with the front and back of your pillow BEFORE you sew them together.
4. If you’re new to this technique, the instructions that come with an invisible zipper are actually pretty good (as packaged instructions go). We also have a dandy tutorial: Invisible Zippers Are Your Friends.
   
5. The only extra step when doing a zipper insertion in faux fur is to comb the fur away from the raw edge of the fabric so you don’t have little hairs in the way of the zipper tape when sewing.
   
6. Once you have your zipper sewn in place, open it up (if you forget to open the zipper, you won’t be able to turn the pillow right side out; invisible zippers are REALLY hard – if not downright impossible – to unzip from the back side).
   

Assemble front and back

1. With the zipper in place and right sides together, stitch the remaining three sides of the pillow using a ½” seam allowance.
   
2. Clip all four corners and turn the pillow right side out through the zipper opening. Use a blunt end tool, like a large knitting needle or a chopstick to help push out the corners so they are nice and square.
3. Stuff the pillow insert into the pillow casing through the zipper opening, making sure to fluff out the corners, and close the zipper.

Throw Supplies & Instructions

Fabric and Other Supplies

• 2 yards of 58-60″ wide faux fur fabric for front side of throw: we used 60″ Faux Fur Snow Leopard White/Taupe from Fabric.com
  NOTE : You’ll have a nice little chunk of fur leftover (approximately 12″ x 60″) to make a little pillow or scarf or trim some gloves, or……
• 2 yards of 58-60″ wide faux suede fabric for back side of throw: we used 58″ Vintage Suede White, a microsuede from Fabric.com
• All-purpose sewing thread
• Contrasting thread for optional monogramming
• One 8-12″ square piece of tear-away stabilizer for for optional monogramming
• Scissors
• See-through ruler
• Tape measure
• Fabric pencil or pen
• Straight pins
• Hand sewing needle

Getting Started

Here’s one more reminder to check out our Sewing with Faux Fur article for pinning, cutting and sewing tips.

1. From the faux fur cut ONE 60″ x 60″ square.
2. From the faux suede cut ONE 58″ x 58″ square.
   NOTE:  For both of our cuts, we are using the full fabric width to cut our squares.

At Your Sewing Machine

Optional monogram

1. We added a monogram to one corner on the back of our throw. This is, of course, optional but does add an elegant bit of personalization – especially if you plan to make the throw as a gift.
2. If you are new to monogramming, check out  our article on the subject. If you have a machine with an embroidery function, you are ready to go. If not…  perhaps it’s time for a shopping trip.
   
3. Be sure to use stabilizer on the wrong side of the suede to help insure the smoothest stitching possible. You’ll tear away the stabilizer when done monogramming.
   

Assemble front and back

1. Because we used faux fur only for the front of our throw with faux suede on the back, we cut the fur side a bit larger and will use the cut suede square like a pattern.
2. Place the fur right side up on the floor (we figure you are working on the floor unless you have a huuuuuuuge work table).
3. Center the suede right side down on top of the fur. The fur will extend beyond the suede by a couple inches on all sides. That’s what we want.
4. Pin the two layers together, using plenty of pins.
5. Sew with a ¼” – ½” seam allowance all the way around, leaving a 6-8″ opening at the middle of one side.
6. Sew with the suede side up, using the edge of the suede as your guide to measure for the ¼” – ½” seam allowance. You won’t be able to see the needle plate because it will be obscured by the fur. Instead, use a point on your presser foot to maintain your seam.
7. We double-stitched the corners to reinforce them.
8. Sew slowly with both hands on the fabric to help keep it from shifting.
9. Pivot at each corner. Remember to leave a 6-8″ opening at the middle of one side.
10. Trim the fur to match the suede. Clip the seam allowances at all four corners.
    
11. Turn the throw right side out through the opening.
12. Handstitch the opening closed with a slip stitch or whip stitch.

Project Concept: Alicia Thommas  
Sample Creation and Instructional Outline: Gregory Dickson