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Sonya Hamilton Designs

Easy Flange Pillow Tutorial For A Quick New Pillow…NOW

By Sonya

Quick and Easy Flange Pillow Tutorial

Company’s coming and you’re determined to whip up a new pillow.

Because logically when you’re short on time and should be cleaning potties the best choice of action is to sit down and sew a new pillow.

If this is how your brain works this pillow is for you. 

Quick, Easy and Super Cute.

This pillow gives you the satisfaction of making something fast with the cutest bit of detail rather than a settling for plain pillow. 

The fabric I’m using today is a small print and quite subtle. It works fine for this style but this pillow is a great option when you really want your fabric to be the focus. Like this red damask pillow.  

What Size Will Your Pillow Be?

flange pillow tutorial

The first step is to determine the size for your pillow.

This easy flange pillow can be almost any size or shape. Square, rectangle or triangle. You could even make a circle flange pillow! But circles can be a bit tricky I’m sticking with a square for today. 

  1. Determine the size you’d like the center of your pillow to be OR what size your pillow form is. 
  2. Determine the size of the flange (the somewhat floppy part around the outside of the pillow).

My Measurements

  1. I’m using a 22″ feather pillow insert so I’m making the pillow cover 20″ in order to have a nice firm pillow. The 20″ will be the center measurement. 
  2. This particular flange is 1.5″. For best results your flange should be between 1/2″ and 3″ wide. 

The Math

  1. 20″ (pillow cover size) + 3″ (2 flanges @ 1.5″ each) +1″ (2 @ 1/2″ seam allowances) = 24″
  2. Cut 2 pieces of fabric 24″x24″. 

sewing easy flange pillow

Place fabric pieces right sides together matching pattern (if applicable).

quick and easy flange pillow tutorial

Pin in place. 

quick and easy flange pillow tutorial

Stitch together using a 1/2″ seam allowance all the way around leaving an opening large enough to insert the pillow form. 

Trim corners. This allows for a sharp corner when turned right side out. 

opening for inserting pillow form

Iron all seam allowances to create a crisp, flat edge. At this point I also iron the opening seams flat as well. This helps when you’re sewing the pillow closed. 

flange pillow tutorial

At this point your easy flange pillow cover should measure 23″ wide. 

how to make a quick and easy flange pillow

Pin around the entire pillow where the flange seam will be. This helps hold the fabrics in place as you sew the seam which creates the flange. 

stitching the seam line for a flange pillow

At this point you’re going to topstitch a seam to create the flange. For today’s pillow it will be 1.5″ in from the edge. If your flange is 2″ you’ll be stitching in 2″ from the edge. 

creating a flange pillow

You can use a thread that matches and blends with your fabric or you can be bold and choose a contrasting or accent colored thread. 

Beginning at one edge of the opening, stitch all the way around the pillow cover stopping at the opposite end of the opening. 

Pillow Insert

feather pillow insert

In most cases I use feather pillows approximately 1″ to 2″ larger then my pillow cover. This helps create a more firm finished pillow. Today I’m making a 20″ pillow cover and using a 22″ insert.

If you prefer your pillows to be a bit less firm then create your pillow cover the same size as your pillow insert. 

how to stuff a pillow cover

To stuff a pillow cover fold the pillow in half…

how to stuff a pillow cover

and insert it all the way into the cover while folded in half. 

Once it’s in place unfold the pillow while making sure the pillow is pushed as far into each corner as it can be. 

how to make a quick and easy flange pillow

quick and easy flange pillow tutorial

As you begin to pin the pillow cover closed pin along both the flange stitch line and the outer stitch line. As you go along push the pillow further into the cover making sure it’s clear of each pin.  

quick and easy flange pillow tutorial

flange pillow tutorial

Stitch the inside flange line first. You can use a ruler to help you keep the 1.5″ measurement as you sew.

What Not To Do

how to fix a sewing mistake

The above pic shows what happened to the underneath side of my pillow as it stitched it closed.

This is soooo easy to do! 

fixing a sewing mistake

If you’re careful it’s easily avoidable. But I was probably rushing and not thinking ahead. If it does happen to you carefully, using a seam ripper, undo the stitching…

fixing a sewing mistake

In my case, I’d already stitched both seams before I realized I’d messed up. If this happens you’ll need to undo a portion of the outer stitch line as well. This allows you to reach inside and push the pillow insert out of the way so you can re-pin the flange stitch line. 

how to make a quick and easy flange pillow

Re-pin everything back in place. 

sewing the pillow cover closed

As you begin to stitch…

sewing a flange pillow closed

pull the pillow taut along the upper left side. 

how to avoid a sewing mistake

Also, keep an eye on the underneath side of the pillow cover pulling this fabric taut and smooth as you sew. 

creating a quick and easy flange pillow

When you’re done you will have two stitch lines. The seam at 1.5″ in will go all the way around your pillow while the outer seam is just long enough to close the opening. 

 

Quick and Easy Flange Pillow

Quick and Easy Flange Pillow Tutorial

And you’re done! 

Flange Pillow Corner Detail

Except for the slight trickiness of machine stitching closed both seams of the opening this Quick And Easy Flange Pillow really is quick and easy! 

Quick and Easy Flange Pillow Tutorial

For pillow inspiration be sure to visit The Gallery to see more examples of flange pillows!

 

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WELCOME


Hi, Everyone! I’m Sonya. Welcome! Would you like to create unique home decor that’s true to your decorating style? Curtains, pillows, bedding? Here at Sonya Hamilton Designs you’ll find the resources to accomplish just that. Or contact me for a custom order. I’d be delighted make your new decor items for you!

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CUSTOM ORDERS are available!
Visit the SERVICES page for all the details. Or contact Sonya at sonyahamiltondesigns@gmail.com

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