Sometimes a project has a distinct front and back. Other times, you want it to be pretty from all sides. This set of elegant pillows features wraparound cording for a unique, all-around-gorgeous result. We selected two coordinated home décor prints within a single colorway to create a trio of pillows in three distinct shapes: the centerpiece hexagon plus a classic round and square. Read on to find the patterns and instructions to make one or all three.

These stunning pillows were photographed against some very rustic backdrops, proving true elegance stands-out in any environment.

When grouping pillows, posh interior decorators vary sizes and shapes for the loveliest look. Variety wins out over “matchy-matchy” every time.

Free pattern downloads are offered below to create the pattern segments for both the hexagon and round pillows. The feature pillow is the hexagon, which is made from six large diamonds in alternating, fussy-cut fabrics.

We show you how adding the cording strips one length at a time and starting and stopping your seams slightly back from the top and bottom points, can create a beautiful continuous curve with the cord.

The hexagon pillow finishes at approximately 24″ in diameter (measuring from point to point). The round pillow finishes at approximately 20″ in diameter. The square pillow finishes at approximately 20″ x 20″.

The two Waverly fabrics we originally used are no longer readily available, but there are many options from multiple designers that would be lovely for this pillow trio.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Sewing machine and standard presser foot
• Zipper foot

Fabric and Other Supplies

Supplies shown below are for the featured hexagon pillow. Notes on the companion pillows are listed at the end.

• ½ – 1 yard of TWO coordinating 54″+ wide home décor weight fabrics
  NOTE: The yardage is specified as a range because the wedge design will look best with a very precise fussy cut to feature the fabric’s motif. The larger the motif and the more precise the fussy cut (as with our Ikat fabric), the more fabric is required. If you decide on a smaller motif, you can go to the low end of the range.
• 4½ yards of ¼” piping lip cord; we chose a matte finish cotton lip cord in a soft daffodil yellow
• TWO 1⅞” button cover kits
• ONE 3″ – 4″ tassel; we used a 3½” multi-color tassel, purchased locally – you could also make your own using our helpful tassel tutorial
• ONE 16oz bag of polyester fiber filler
• All-purpose thread to match fabric
• Heavy button thread for attaching buttons
• See-through ruler
• Fabric pen or pencil
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Seam gauge
• Seam ripper
• Straight pins
• Hand sewing needle
• Heavy upholstery needle for attaching buttons

The Round Pillow uses the all same supplies as the Hexagon pillow, just a different pattern.

The Square Pillow requires just 2½ yards of cording, ⅝ yards each of the two fabrics, and a 20″ x 20″ pillow insert instead of polyester fiber fill. It also does not use the button cover kits.

Getting Started and Pattern Downloads

NOTE: For our instructions, we will be referring to the fabrics used in our sample: Ikat and Paisley.

1. If creating the hexagon pillow, click the link at the beginning of this sentence to download and print out TWO copies of each of our THREE pattern sheets. These three sheets have been bundled into ONE PDF file to make the download easier: Hexagon Pillow Piece 1, Hexagon Pillow Piece 2, Hexagon Pillow Piece 3.
   IMPORTANT: Each pattern piece is ONE 8½” x 11″ sheet. You must print the PDF file at 100%. DO NOT SCALE to fit the page. There is a guide rule on each page so you can confirm your final printout is to scale.
2. Cut out each of the six pattern pieces along their outer solid line. 
3. Butt together (do not overlap) Piece 2 and Piece 3 along the solid vertical center line. Tape together. Butt Piece 1 along the top edge of the 2-3 piece to form a triangle.
   
4. Repeat to create a second triangle with the remaining three pieces. Then, butt together the base lines of the two triangles to form a diamond. Tape together to complete the full pattern.
   
5. If creating the round pillow, click the link at the beginning of this sentence to download and print out our THREE pattern sheets; again, these pieces have been bundled into one PDF file to make the download easier: Round Pillow Piece 1, Round Pillow Piece 2, Round Pillow Piece 3.
   IMPORTANT: As above, each pattern piece is ONE 8½” x 11″ sheet. You must print the PDF file at 100%. DO NOT SCALE to fit the page. There is a guide rule on each page so you can confirm your final printout is to scale.
6. Assemble the three pattern pieces into a pie shape as shown below. Butt together the pieces, do not overlap, and tape to secure.
   
   For the HEXAGON pillow, use the pattern to carefully fussy cut THREE diamonds from the Ikat fabric and THREE diamonds from the Paisley fabric.
   
   For the ROUND pillow, use the pattern to carefully fussy cut SIX pie shapes from the Ikat fabric and SIX pie shapes from the Paisley fabric.
   For the SQUARE pillow, cut ONE 20″ x 20″ square from the Ikat fabric and ONE 20″ x 20″ square from the Paisley fabric.
7. The cording will be cut to size with each application; leave it as one length. 

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

Hexagon Pillow

1. Find one of the three Ikat diamonds. 
2. Measure and cut a length of lip cord to fit along one side of the diamond, from just past the top point of the diamond to just past the bottom point of the diamond. 
3. Pin the cording to the right side of this first Ikat diamond. The raw edge of the fabric should be flush with the edge of the lip cord’s insertion tape. 
4. Measure 1″ down from the top point, and make a mark with your fabric pen or pencil or place a set of double pins as your mark. Repeat to mark 1″ up from the bottom point. All your seams will start and stop 1″ from the top and bottom points of the diamond.
   
5. At the side point of the diamond, let the cording round past the point.
   
6. Then make a tiny cut into the insertion tape to allow the cording to make a smooth turn at the side point.
   
7. Machine baste the cording in place. A Zipper foot works best.
   
8. Find one of the three Paisley diamonds. Place it right sides together with the first Ikat diamond, sandwiching the cord between the layers. Pin together along the corded side only.
   
9. Still using a Zipper foot, stitch the first two diamonds together, staying as close to the cord as possible with your seam.
   
10. Open out the sewn pair of diamonds, and repeat the above steps to apply a length of cording to the remaining raw edge of the Paisley diamond and stitch this corded side to a second Ikat diamond. Repeat the process, alternating diamonds as you go.
    
11. Remember to always measure and mark 1″ from the top and bottom of the diamond.
    
12. And to start and stop your seam at these points.
    
13. When you get to the final seam that will close the circle, rather than measuring 1″ from the top point, measure 4″ down. The bottom pin point/stop point stays at 1″. The extra inches at the top will allow a larger center opening for turning and stuffing.
    
14. Clip all the corner points at a diagonal, being careful not to clip into your seam.
    
15. Carefully turn right side out through the center 4″ opening.
    
16. There are a lot of cord ends at the top and bottom. Not to worry, they’ll be hidden under the buttons. Gently gather them together and push them toward the inside.
    
17. From the outside, the cords will come together nicely in the center and, as mentioned, will eventually be hidden beneath the buttons.
    
18. Use a blunt end tool, like a large knitting needle or a chopstick to gently push out all the corners so they are nice and smooth.
    
19. Lay the pillow cover flat on your ironing board so you create a true bottom edge. Press each of the six sides between the cording to create a crease.
    
20. Fluff up the polyester filler and insert it, in small handfuls, through the center opening. Make sure you work the stuffing into all the points of the pillow. We have a good tutorial on Pillow Stuffing Tips & Tricks to help you get a smooth result.
    
21. Thread a hand needle with thread to match the fabric and whip stitch the opening closed, keeping your stitches hidden right along the cord.
    
22. Fussy cut two circles from the remnants of one of the fabrics; we used the Paisley. The template shown comes with the button kits.
    
23. Complete the two covered buttons. If you are new to this technique, we have a tutorial: Making Covered Buttons with a Button Kit.
    
24. Thread the upholstery needle with a double strand of button thread.
25. Push the cord ends down into the center of the pillow and tack them into place.
    
26. It’s okay if these securing stitches are a bit messy; they will be hidden under the buttons.
    
27. When the cord ends are secured, slip the needle through the shank of one of the buttons. We twisted the thread through the shank for extra security.
    
28. Stick the needle down through the exact center of the pillow, coming out the opposite side at the exact center.
    
29. Pull taut, and securely knot. Repeat to add the second button to the remaining side. 
30. Attach a tassel around the front button.
    NOTE: The front of the pillow should be the side without the hand sewn opening. 

Round Pillow

1. This pillow is created in the same manner as the hexagon pillow but with a different pattern. 
2. To start, pin an Ikat pie shape to each Paisley pie shape along the curved edges.
   
3. Using a ½” seam allowance, stitch each of the pairs together to create six full wraparound wedge shapes.
   
4. Follow the hexagon pillow steps to finish. 

Square pillow

1. This pillow is a simple corded pillow. Attach the cord to one square. The layer the two squares right sides together.
   
2. Seam all around, leaving an opening for turning and to insert the pillow form. Hand stitch the opening closed to finish.

Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Debbie Guild