Q&A for How to Make a Pillow

You can use pretty much anything that's soft and can withstand being put through a washing machine. I wouldn't recommend paper, but you could use fabric scraps, cotton wool, polyester wool, woolen wool, Kapok, thistledown, mill end thread, or whatever else you have on hand. I’ve had some very useable couch pillows stuffed with plastic shopping bags that had been cut into squares.

Yes, but the pillow would lack support and would likely be uncomfortable.

Gently pull apart the cotton stuffing first, then add it into the pillow. Keep in mind that washing these pillows is not recommended, as it can cause the cotton to bunch up.

Cotton. It's cool, absorbent, and gentle on your skin. You could also use satin as it doesn't tangle your hair, but it is more expensive than cotton.

Insert the cording between the fabric pieces as you pin them together. Make sure that the corded part is on the inside, and the raw edge is matching up with the raw edge of the fabric. You may need to adjust your seam allowances to fit the cording.

Take a piece of fabric twice the size of your desired end product. Cut it in half, sew around all sides, leaving a opening on one side big enough to turn and stuff the pillow. Turn, stuff, and close the opening (it's easiest if done by hand).

Yes, you can. Quilt batting would make an ideal filling for a seat cushion. It won't be as ideal for a sleeping pillow, however, because it is flat and will bunch up too much; this will create uncomfortable lumps.

Take some paper and sketch the pillow you want to make. Then list all the pieces you need to make the pillow - stop, bottom, and optional side pieces. Don't forget to add your seam allowance to each piece. You can take those measurements to a store and they'll tell you how much you need. If you use a 1/2' seam allowance, 1/2 yard of 45' wide fabric should just fit a 16 x 16 x 1 pillow with zero leftover fabric.

You will have to rip open part of your stitching with a seam ripper. Once you add the stuffing, you can sew the pillow back up.

You could, but if you've done a nice and sturdy stitch, it should be fine.

Sew on your sequins, buttons, and other details before you sew the two sides together. Sequins might need to be hand stitched, depending on the style your looking for. Then follow the rest of the instructions as written, being careful not to sew over the sequins/buttons with your machine (they might break your needle).

You can buy stuffing at arts-and-crafts stores. You can also save up scraps from past projects and use those for stuffing.

That completely depends on the size of your pillow.

There are plenty of alternatives. You could grab cotton balls. Make sure you pull them and make them fluffy before stuffing. Also an old stuffed animal's batting can be used. Make sure it's not too old though, as it won't be as fluffy and may tend to ball up after some use. Another alternative is to stock up on Christmas "snow" when it goes on sale. With a little light pulling and fluffing, I have found this stuff to be almost an exact double of most higher priced stuffing. My last alternative would be spiders web sold at Halloween. It is inferior to Christmas "snow", but can be used in an emergency.

A standard sleeping pillow will be about 20 by 26 inches (50.8 by 66.04 centimeters). A standard decorative pillow will be 20 by 20 inches (50.8 by 50.8 centimeters).

Yes, but keep in mind the pillow may become lumpy. For decorative pillows, this will not be a problem and is a great way to use up leftover scraps from other projects, but for functional pillows, this may cause discomfort.

If you live near a patch of cattails, they should produce lots of fluff. You can use that. Or if you have an old torn pillow or cushion, you can take the stuffing out and reuse it. You can also find stuffing at your local fabric or craft store.

Yes. What you would do is on two of the sides sew them together normally, but stop a few inches from the corner. Sew off your edges. Now simply pull your fabric right side out through that small hole. Now you can add your stuffing, decorations etc., then do a normal or hidden stitch if you feel comfortable enough to close that corner off. I personally find a corner the easiest place to do this, as it is easier to finish it off. It's also the easiest way to flip it inside out without having to worry about a long seam being left to sew.

You can use anything soft. Toilet paper, old rags, etc.

Yes, if you want to wash it, you will need to remove the filling. If you do not, it will bunch up and be uncomfortable. You will have to seam rip part of it to do so. So, if you plan on washing often, make an envelope pillow so you can remove the filling easier.

They may not be comfortable. The fabric will be flat, so it will most likely result in something lumpy and uncomfortable. Try using pulled cotton balls instead if you do not have stuffing.