Custom Pillow Embroidery: How To Make A Throw Pillow

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Having recently been inspired by my sister in law’s embroidery projects, I wanted to create a project of my own to give a fresh look to the bedding within our guest bedroom. While I have never previously embroidered and certainly would not claim to be a professional seamstress, I do love a good DIY project and certainly one that allows me to utilize some items I have on hand with additional minimal costs. Adding custom pillow embroidery can be not only an enjoyable process, but also let you integrate a unique flair to your décor without the typical costs associated with custom pillows.

Making a throw pillow with custom pillow embroidery does not have to be a complicated process. By choosing a pattern, deciding on your fabric or pillow cover, and selecting the color floss you want to use, you soon can have a throw pillow that you will be proud to display.

Creating a custom throw pillow can begin in a couple of ways. First, you might already have a pillow on hand that you would like to cover, or perhaps, you have a pillow cover you want to adorn, but do not have a pillow insert. For my project, I had a pillow that I wanted to cover, but it was not a usual size. Seeing this, I wanted to create both a pillow cover and the custom embroidery which will both be discussed within this tutorial. If you do not want to create a pillow cover or do not have a sewing machine on hand, you certainly could buy a pillow cover premade and then add your custom embroidery and a pillow insert. There are many ways to approach this project, so feel free to skip ahead to the section that most applies to you!

Supplies

1 Pillow Insert –
- If you do not have a pillow on hand that you want to cover, these feather down or down alternative inserts from West Elm are great for this project
1 Embroidery Project Pack –
- I used this Desert Flower Embroidery Project, but you could use any project that excites you. This pack includes an embroidery hoop (if you don’t have one already), embroidery needle, thread, instructions, and the pattern.
Additional Embroidery Floss –
- Since I replicated this pattern 3 times on the front of the pillow, I needed a bit more embroidery floss. I used:
  - 927 Light Gray Green DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss
  - 813 Light Blue DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss
  - A green I already had on hand – similar to 3364 Pine Green DMC Cotton Embroidery Floss
Fabric / Pillow Cover –
- Since I was making my pillow cover, I actually used White Flour Sack Towels that are good for embroidery, however you could use different fabric if you want a unique color or pattern
- If you want to complete the embroidery, but do not want to make the pillow cover, you certainly could embellish a pillow cover such as these European Flax Linen Pillow Covers or even these Heavyweight Linen Blend Throw Pillows that include both the cover and a removable insert
Sewing Thread –
- Preferably to match your project
White Zipper –
- I used an 18” All Purpose White Zipper, however depending on your color fabric / size pillow cover, you certainly could choose a different color and/or size zipper
A ruler
- Preferably both a metal hard edged ruler and a flexible ruler
A pen
A rotary cutter or sharp scissors

Part 1: Embroidery

When first beginning your embroidery project, you must decide on your pattern placement and pattern repeat. As my pillow was roughly a 15”x26” lumbar pillow, I wanted 3 of the desert flower patterns to stretch across the front. If you choose a different pattern than the desert flower, or if you have a different size pillow, you may want to adjust the quantity or measurements of your pattern placement.

To Replicate This Pillow:

Step 1 – Iron out your flour sack towel and fold it in half. To fit my pillow, I folded the 38” side in half, ending up with two sides measuring 19”x33”. This doubling of fabric will act as both the front fabric and the internal lining. If you are using a premade pillow cover, you may skip to the next step.

Step 2 –Next, measure the center of your fabric or pillow cover. Mine was 9.5” down from the top and 16.5” from the left.

Step 3 –From here, I set the center of my printed desert flower pattern on the center mark I just made in the sack towel.

Step 4 – To include 3 of the desert flower patterns across the front, I measured over about 2.5” from the tip of each protruding leaf and placed a dot.

Step 5 – Next, place your organza pattern on a sheet of white paper. Slip it under the first layer of fabric or within your pillow cover. Trace over the pattern in the center of your fabric first, before sliding the pattern to the right and to the left. With the first pattern, be sure to align the center of the desert flower pattern with the center mark on the fabric. For each pattern on the left and right, I aligned the outside leaf tip with the dot that was 2.5” from the center pattern.

Custom Pillow Embroidery: How To Make A Throw Pillow — STEP 2

Step 6 – Once you have traced all 3 of your patterns, lay out your other materials.

Step 7 – If you have bought an embroidery project pack like the desert flower pack, you will notice that it comes with instructions on which stitches to use with each color. You certainly can change up the colors from just what is included in your package if that does not go with your décor. I particularly liked this desert flower design, but as I wanted to integrate custom colors, I switched:

the white flowers to the dark pink color included in the package
the white buds to the dark gray floss included in the package
the cornflower blue for the top tassel flower (or bottom flowers)
the muted teal, gray green floss for the top tassel flower (or bottom flowers)
some leaves or tassel bases for a different green

Step 8 – Starting with your center pattern, complete the embroidery following the instructions within your pack and using your custom colors. My center design turned out like the image below.

Step 9 –Once you have completed your first design, iron out any of the creases left by the embroidery hoop before proceeding to your side designs.

Step 10 – Having completed all the designs, I thoroughly ironed out the entire front of my fabric, being careful to get close to but not iron on top of my embroidery.

If you used a premade pillow cover, add an insert and ta da! You are done with your pillow!! Now you can step back to admire your handiwork and decide on what area might showcase it best.

If you used the sack towel like me, however, proceed to part 2 for how to construct your pillow cover!

Part 2: Pillow Cover Construction

Step 1 – Having completed all of the embroidery for the front of your pillow, it is time to turn to the creation of the pillow cover. To do so, measure the width and length around the center of your pillow form. Mine was about 15”x25”.

Step 2 – Next, add an inch to each of these measurements and mark them on your embroidery front: 26” across the middle and 16” from top to bottom.

Step 3 – Mark 8” up from the center of each desert flower and then mark 8” down from the center of each desert flower. This will give you a consistent top and bottom line to follow.

Step 4 – Draw your line connecting the dots. Using your metal ruler and rotary cutter, cut along each of your lines.

Step 5 – To keep your double layered fabric in tack for moving, pin gently around all 4 edges.

Step 6 – Once you have cut out and pinned your pillow cover front, iron out your next flour sack towel. Be sure to fold it appropriately as discussed previously in Part 1 Step 1 and iron both sides.

Step 7 – Next, lay your pillow front face down on top of your double folded pillow back that you just finished ironing. To prepare for making them the same size, pin all the pieces of fabric together around the edge. We will be making this pillow cover inside out but will be sure to turn it right side out once we finish, so you want to be seeing the back side of your embroidery as you are pinning.

Step 8 – Placing your metal ruler on the side of the fabric you will keep (to prevent you from slicing into it), cut the bottom pieces of fabric to the same size as your top.

Step 9 – When you have finished cutting each side, it is time to prepare for your zipper. Again, since I am not a professional seamstress and needed a refresh on including zippers, I found a fabulous video that makes installing a zipper really easy. If you have never included a zipper on your projects or if you need a refreshing tutorial, I would highly recommend watching this video by MADE Everyday.

Step 10 – Once I was reminded on how to install a zipper, I choose to use the concealed zipper method. To do so, sew the bottom edge of your pieces together. Since I cut the fabric a little bigger than it needs to be to provide for my seam allowance, I placed the edge of my fabric flush with the “2” on my sewing machine which will allow for a .75” width between my seam and the edge of my fabric.

*Additional Tip* My sewing machine is the Brother CS-770 Computerized Sewing Machine which I have loved for at least the past 10 years, however the Brother CS5055 Computerized Sewing Machine has taken its place since mine was discontinued. If you are looking for a great machine to start out on, I would highly recommend this one as it has been fabulous for projects like this.

Step 11 – Having sewn the pieces together, unpin them and spread the seam apart. Iron the seam flat.

Step 12 – Next, as shown in the video, pin your zipper in the center of your seam. Be sure to center the zipper within the total width of your fabric, as my 18” zipper did not extend to the end of my 26” width.

Step 13 – Again, following the tutorial, sew in both sides of your zipper with your zipper foot.

Step 14 – Once you have finished sewing in your zipper, flip over your fabric to the front and rip out the center portion of the original bottom seam to expose the zipper below. I clearly did not center my zipper very well as the flaps to cover the zipper were not totally even, however my zipper still opens and holds everything together nicely. It certainly does not compromise the structural integrity, however for a professional appearance as possible, just be sure to try to get your zipper centered in the seam before sewing it in.

Step 15 – Having freed your zipper, unzip the seam about half way and then bring your pieces of fabric together again. Be sure to have the front embroidery portion face down meeting the back fabric. Pin around the edges to secure all pieces together before sewing the remaining seams. I used the same .75” seam allowance by again aligning my fabric edge with the “2” on my sewing machine.

Step 16 – When all of your seams have been sewn, take out the pins and cut a portion off each corner. Be care to not cut your seams. By cutting off this portion of the fabric, it will allow your corners to be much more polished once you turn the cover right side out.

Step 17 –Finally turn the cover right side out, iron it completely to eliminate any added wrinkles, and insert the pillow form.

Now stand back and pat yourself on the back for creating a totally custom embroidered throw pillow!!

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love the way my custom pillow turned out and believe it adds a fresh and cheerful pop to our guest bedroom (click HERE to see the final transformation reveal!). Despite this project taking a little bit of patience with the embroidery portion, I found it was a great way keep my hands busy while I sat back for a minute, talked on the phone, or listened to a podcast. Not only can you add something beautiful to your home, but you can enhance both your mind and relationships in the process. While certainly not perfect, I so enjoyed this custom throw pillow adventure and hope that you can have just as much fun as I did!

Have you tried any similar custom pillow or embroidery projects? If so, I would love to hear of your thoughts or experiences with this project or another in the comment section below!

Happy embroidering!