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How to Make No-Sew Throw Pillows – cheap!

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If you have ever priced throw pillows (and I’m sure you have if you’ve ever decorated a living room, family room, or a bedroom), then you probably know how expensive it is to buy throw pillows from the store. I just can’t fathom spending loads of money on a single pillow (and a small pillow at that!). I was pleased to discover that it isn’t hard to do it yourself. And I am even going to share with you how to make no-sew throw pillows for about $6 or $7 apiece.

It all started when I was telling my good friend about my need for throw pillows, but that I was hesitant in spending that much money on them. Before I could finish telling her, she blurted out, “make your own!”. Wait, what? Apparently she has never seen me sew!  She assured me that it is really easy.  Well it did sound pretty easy, and I just had to give it a try…with one change. I had another plan which didn’t require sewing.

But first, let me answer this all important question:

What can I use to stuff a pillow?

When I tell people about making their own no-sew throw pillows, they are always baffled by what would go inside the pillows, if not just a pillow itself! There are a few choices to use for pillow stuffing. I personally use fiberfill, as it is easy to work with, is inexpensive and one bag is almost equal to one rectangular, placemat sized throw pillow.

What do you need to make your own pillows?

~Placemats: The kind with two pieces of fabric sewn together front and back, so when opened there is a pocket in the middle and space for stuffing
~Fiberfill: Plan on one bag per placemat sized pillow
~Seam ripper (or small scissors)
~Fabric Glue
~clothespins or small paper clips

Two sided placemat for making throw pillows

Where can I buy cheap fabric placemats?

I looked at Pier 1 Imports and Cost Plus and found some placemats that were two sided and perfect for my DIY decorative pillow project. The placemats at Cost Plus World Market were only $2.99 each, and the ones at Pier 1 were only slightly more. For the fiberfill stuffing for DIY pillows, I went to Michael’s and purchased two bags of fiberfill for $2.99 each. It takes a a bag or less for each throw pillow. What a steal!

Since our bedroom will be blue and green (I bought a gorgeous duvet cover from Eddie Bauer), these will match perfectly.   One side is patterned and one side is plain. The other placemat I bought is patterned on one side and is light blue on the back!

How do you make throw pillows without a sewing machine?

For this DIY homemade no-sew throw pillow project, You will basically be filling a placemat with fiberfill. That’s it! Well there are a few other simple steps, but then you’re done. These  take about 15 minutes to make.

To begin, I unstitched the two layers of the placemat about 3 inches on one of the long ends.  I stuffed fiberfill inside like this:

How to make no-sew throw pillows
It’s important to make sure that you also stuff the corners of the placemat – just shove fiberfill in the corners as well.

Since I am not big on sewing, I purchased fabric glue at the craft store too. When my placemat was sufficiently stuffed, I placed a narrow bead of blue along one side of the placemat (I did it on the green hem), and carefully squeezed the two sides of the placemat together until it held.  I attached small paper clips on the area I glued, just to be sure that it had a good seal.

Pillow stuffed with fiberfill and turned into a pillow

I was really surprised how incredibly simple it was to make your own pillows.  I ventured out again (this time to Target) to see if I could find placemats for our family room. I bought two placemats that will be just right for the look I want to achieve.

I have to admit, it is kind of addicting to make these pillows.  I bought two MORE placemats that will go in the guest room. It takes a little self control to not grab placemats every time you walk into a store

These DIY placemat pillows are so easy to make, and they cost less than $6 each!

So there you have it – that is how to make your own no-sew throw pillows! Want to see the process in action? Check out my DIY no-sew throw pillow tutorial video!

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Comments

  1. Seriously so happy you gave them a try. We still use ours. And I mentioned to the mister you made your own after I told you how easy it was and he looked puzzled. Apparently he had no idea that our throw pillows that magically matched our old couch were placemat pillows that I MADE. Such a man… 😀

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  6. I can never believe how expensive pillows are either! The only place I buy them from is IKEA because they’re cheaper there. I love this idea–so cute!

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  11. Can I tell you how much I love this idea? I often wish I were crafty but am totally not. I’ve been wanting new throw pillows for our couches but can’t swallow $15 a pillow. Such a good, good idea. Pinned this, going to make it next week.

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  12. Love this idea. I love to have a lot of pillows on our bed (…even though it drives my husband nuts). I love the design on your placemat/pillows!

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  15. what an incredibly frugal, adorable way to make nice decorative throw pillows! i’ve never heard of that but wow do they ever come out nicely. not sure mine would look like that if i tried but hey, for $6 i’d give it a try! 🙂

    annae07 at aol dot com

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  20. This is just the most clever idea! I love it! This is also such a great way to add a change and some personality into our home. I’m thinking that this is actually something that I can pull off even though I’m not great at sewing. Thank you for this faboo idea 🙂

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