{TUTORIAL THURSDAY} Ruffled Pillow Tutorial

What you’ll need:

1 yard fabric

Matching Thread

Batting

Sewing Machine

Pins

Scissors

Ruler or quilting square

How to:

Cut 1 – 17×17″ square {makes 2 because fabric is folded in half}

Cut 3 – 4″ wide strips. These will make the ruffle.

Set aside your 17x17″ square and grab the 3 – 4″ pieces. These will become your ruffle. The first goal is to create one long piece that is 4″ wide by sewing the short ends of each piece together.

Once sewn together fold in half {inside out} and press.

Now sew both short edges and long edge. Start at one short edge; continue until you are about half way down the tube. Backstitch and cut the thread. Leave a 4″ gap and then continue on the long side until the tube is completed.

Turn the tube right side out through the gap, making sure the corners are completely pressed out. At the gap, fold the sides into the center, and sew, which will completely close the tube. Smooth out the edges, and press if your fabric allows.

Adjust your machine to the longest thread. Leave a 6″ length of thread at the end, and then sew down the entire length of the tube. Start and end as close to the edge as possible. Leave another 6″ tail of thread at the end as well.

Find the bobbin thread {it’s at the bottom}, and gently pull, shifting the fabric down the thread until it starts bunching. Even out the ruffles as much as possible. You now have a loooooong ruffle!

Hand sew the ruffle, starting in the middle and working your way out.

Turn the pillow inside out and pin together, sew the 3 raw edges leaving 1/4th of a side open to turn right side out. Fill with batting.

Push it down as far as it will go. This will allow extra room at the top while you machine stitch it closed.

Pin the open edge closed, folding the seam into the pillow. Line it up straight, and then sew the last bit of it closed. You’ll want to get as close to the edge as possible.

Clip the threads as needed, and you now have a chic ruffled pillow to keep or give away!