Sequin Sofa Pillows Tutorial

Guys, my kids think I’m nutso! “MORE PILLOWS???” Yes, yes, I like making pillows. They have got to be the easiest form of DIY decor known to man. I made a couple sequin pillows last year that still look spectacular, and I’m trying to lighten up my living/family room with some whites and neutrals. I’m also adding sparkle because…well, because it’s the one season of the year when there’s no such thing as too much glitter and glam!!

If you’ve never sewn in your life, I’m pretty sure you can make these sequin sofa pillows – this is a pillow tutorial in its simplest form. Begin with a great decorative fabric, like one of those sequin fabrics for which you can’t find a practical use. Or…how great is this scallop-ish faux leather fabric? You will also need a lining and backing fabric. I love the soft look and feel of a thick knit or a knit velour I purchased all of these fabrics from Jo-Ann.

Cut one piece of decorative fabric and two pieces of the knit for each pillow you wish to sew. I like to cut my fabric the same size as the pillow form – I do not add room for seam allowance or stretch. Once the pillow form gets tucked in there, it will fill it out completely and will fit just fine without leaving any sloppy slack in the fabric. Now, stack the pieces for the pillow cover. Layer your lining fabric, right side up and place the decorative fabric, also right side up, directly on top of the lining fabric. Then, stack the backing, right side down, on top of the decorative fabric. Pin in a few places to hold the pieces together and keep everything aligned.

Sew or serge around the entire pillow, using ¼″ seam allowance. If you are working with a sequin fabric, go slowly – I have better luck sewing sequins on my regular machine than my serger. If I am not using sequins, it takes all of 30 seconds to zip around the pillowcase with the serger. Stop sewing about a third of the way back up the final side, so that you are leaving a 5-6″ opening.

Reach between the right side of the sequin fabric and the backing fabric and turn the pillow cover right side out. Stuff your pillow form inside, making sure to gently poke out all the corners so that they’re crisp and pointed.

Use a slip-stitch or a ladder stitch to sew the opening closed and your pillow is DONE!

If you are using a quilting cotton or non-stretch fabric for the backing of your pillow, you might prefer to do an envelope closure and hey, no hand sewing! Here’s my Easy Throw Pillows Tutorial … just in case you’re as pillow crazy as I am.