What You'll Need
My son Lincoln just got his first big boy bed, and I wanted to make it feel special with some custom pillows. Problem is, I can't sew. Not even a little bit.
Turns out you don't need to. This no-sew pillow uses nothing but fabric, scissors, and stuffing. It took me about 20 minutes to make, and it looks like something from a boutique.
- Fabric (I used plaid flannel — the lines make cutting easier)
- Polyester fiberfill or an old pillow insert
- Scissors
That's it. No needle, no thread, no sewing machine.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Cut your fabric
Cut two identical pieces of fabric. For a 10x16 inch pillow, cut each piece to 22x16 inches. The extra 6 inches on each side is for the fringe.
You can make any size you want — just add 6 inches to the length and width of your desired finished pillow size.
Step 2: Cut out the corners
Cut a 3x3 inch square out of each corner. Do this on both pieces of fabric. The corner cutouts stay the same size no matter how big your pillow is.
Step 3: Cut the fringe
Cut strips along all four edges. Make them about 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long. Work your way around the entire piece of fabric.
If you're using plaid fabric, the lines guide your cuts perfectly. If you're using something plain, draw a pencil line first to keep things straight.
Step 4: Tie the knots
Line up both pieces of fabric with the wrong sides facing each other. Start tying the fringe strips together — one strip from the top piece, one from the bottom piece. A single knot works fine, but double knot if you want extra security.
Work your way around three sides, then leave about 3 inches open on the fourth side.
Step 5: Add the filling
Lift up the open corner and stuff in your filling. Use polyester fiberfill or an old pillow insert. Add as much as you want for your preferred firmness.
Step 6: Close it up
Tie the remaining fringe strips to close the opening. I double-knot the corners just to make sure nothing pops open.
That's it. You're done.
The pillow is soft, squishy, and cost way less than buying one. It adds a nice pop of color to a kids' room or playroom, and it's honestly pretty satisfying knowing you made it yourself.
