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MYO Ruffle Pillow (The Cheater’s Version)

Ruffle pillows are everywhere right now.  Etsy is overflowing with them.  Pier1 has some super cute ones, and even Overstock.com offers some ruffly goodness! However, I refuse to pay much more than $5 for a throw pillow.  Yes, call me cheap, but I have been sewing napkins, scarves, and even bandanas together to make pillows since the early 90’s and see no reason to stop now.  Before you get the impression that I am some great seamstress let me clarify for you: I CANNOT sew worth a darn (hee, hee, pun intended).  Seriously, I have tried to sew and it takes me just as long to fight with my machine as it does to sew by hand, so I typically end up….fighting with my machine, cursing it, and finishing the project by hand.
Below is my overstock.com inspiration pillow currently priced at $20.49.  Say whaaaaaa???
Pillow, no offense, but we’re going to make you for $5 or less!
Step one: Gather your supplies.

You will need an old throw pillow, some extra polyfill or an old sleeping pillow, a Dollartree pillow case, and some ruffle ribbon from Joann (or fabric store of your choice).  Did you know they make ruffle ribbon?  They do!  It’s not very long and it is expensive, but if you use your 40% off coupon it costs about $2.39 for one roll which is all you need for this project!
Step two:  Remove the fabric on your recycled pillow, stuff it inside your pillow case, and add polyfill as needed then cut to size.  

I usually leave about a 1/2 inch of fabric from where the stuffing stops.  You want enough fabric to be able to fold over and create a seam.  I don’t measure or get all crazy with trying to be perfect.  I just cut.

Step Three:  Carefully take your “pillow form” out of the case and iron your pillowcase.  (I forgot to take pics of the real pillow in process so these are simulated pictures.  Just ignore all those wrinkles!)

Step Four:  Place your ribbon where you want it and pin it in place.

Make sure you don’t pin the front and back fabric together!

Step 5:  Sew ruffles onto your pillow by machine, or by hand.  I started with my machine and then said to heck with it and sewed the rest by hand!

Step 6: Stuff your pillow form back into the pillow and fold and pin shut.  Sew the seam shut and remove all the pins!  Ta da!  Now admire your cute ruffly pretty that you made for $3.49!  Seriously. That’s it.

If you can really sew and know how to make ruffles with your ruffle foot, then obviously this isn’t for you.  But if you can’t sew worth a darn, don’t think making your own ruffle pillow is out of reach!  If I can do it, anyone can.

Come back tomorrow for some other creative ways to save money while redoing your bedroom.  I’ll share my secrets!  If you missed my Parade of Homes Tour, click here!

Linking with:
DIY Day

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Comments

  1. What a wonderful idea!!! I LOVE IT!!! I wouldn't pay that much for a pillow either!!! lol

    Thank you for a great tutorial!!!

  3. you, my friend, are a GENIUS. I LOVE this! Like you, I refuse to pay for throw pillows and I like the "cheater's" version so much better…it's just smarter! I have to try this now. Hugs to you!!!

  4. FAB-U-LOUS! I didn't know there was a ruffle ribbon and this sewing challenged woman would really love a sweet ruffle pillow. I really want one for my bedroom. I'm going to keep my peepers peeled for this ribbon. Thanks for enlightening me!

  5. LOVE this… the ruffles are fabulous!
    We have a friday fun finds party… we'd love it if you'd link to this! 🙂

  6. LOVE this… the ruffles are fabulous!
    We have a friday fun finds party… we'd love it if you'd link to this! 🙂

  9. Oh Beth this is fantastic, I'm bookmarking to do for sure! I have a sewing machine but can barely do a straight stitch so this is perfect for me, crazy how we can handle miter saws but sewing machines just aren't cutting it LOL.
    Shayna

  11. Duh! I know about ruffle ribbon, but here I have been putting off making a ribbon pillow because I don't have a ruffle foot! (Even though there are non-ruffle foot tutorials- but that's entirely beside the point!) Sadly, I am in the one major city in the world without a Joanne's (Charlotte- what's up with that?) So off to Hobby Lobby I will be going! Thanks. So pretty.

  13. absolutely delightful! so sweet and full of charm! I like your bedroom!

  14. Girl, I am so excited to know there is ruffled ribbon. Who knew? Not me, apparently.

    I have a sewing machine.. (but can't really sew…I just pretend I can). I tried to think about how to make a ruffle, even googled directions on it and then realized that I was out of my mind. So, forget the ruffle…or so I thought…until now. You have opened up a whole new world of ruffled pillow making for some of us and I, for one, am so excited.

  15. Loving your pillow! Thanks for sharing the cheap DIY version! I'll tell you it looks much more expensive than $3!

    Jeanine

  17. Very cute! I can't believe how simply and cheaply you made such cuteness! Great job!

  19. You have just inspired me. I have some wooden folding chairs from the 30's that came from Poland….so much like your little black chair.

    I'm going to take one down from the garage and put a little folded quilt and pillow on it. Toooooo cute!!

  20. Oh, I love it Beth! I do sew, but I am always looking for shortcuts. I love this idea! Some of the fabric stores will have ruffles (2 yards) for a dollar and they are actually quite pretty! Thanks for the tutorial.
    Cindy

  21. Now really Beth, your sewing machine is a power tool too and you rock power tools. Come on it can be your biggest friend. Go on, go kiss and make up!
    That pillow is looking fab, my friend.

  22. Wonderful! I am going to find some ruffle ribbon and I am going to give this a go! Thanks for sharing. xx

  23. Just my kind of sewing! I'm working on our master bedroom and I NEED some ruffle pillows… thanks for the great tut!

  24. What an adorable pillow!! I LOVE it!! I'm going to have to try this now. I was eyeing up an old ruffled cotton slip the other day, trying to figure out what to do with it…a pillow sounds like a good idea. 🙂 Ruffles on pillows.

  25. IN LOVE with your ruffle pillow! LOVE IT! I am in the process of making throw pillows for my daughters bedroom makeover and this is just perfect!

    Oh, and I don't think I commented earlier, but your house is breathtaking! Seriously wish I lived there! :o)

  29. Thanks for sharing how you made this pillow! I am hoping to make some ruffle pillows this week myself!
    Have a fabulous day!
    Jenn {redberrybarn.blogspot.com}

  30. Very cute! I've added it to my list. (as soon as my house sells and I can drag out crafty things again) I think my girls rooms could use more ruffles :o)

  31. That is awesome! That pillow is adorable!

    I have a sewing machine, but don't get to use it much.

  32. Thank you for sharing this! I've been wanting to make my own ruffles forever now, but am just a mediocre sewer & have yet to attempt it. I can definItely BUY some ruffled ribbon! Thanks Beth!

  33. Love it love it love it..now I need some of that awesome ribbon~ Thanks for sharing…((hugs))

  34. Oh my I am so drooling over that pillow and I can't sew worth two double darns!! I may have to get handy and actually try this one. I still have visions of doing your Ballard design ones! You are so funny. I love your posts and all your goodies!

  35. "Worth a darn?" You crack me up! Personally, I still feel like I need remedial lessons with my machine! Love the pillow – it is fantastic! I am going to do one for our guest bedroom!

  36. Love it! I'm definitely doing this! I have a sewing machine that sometimes we get along, sometimes we don't {it's really the bobbin that causes all the trouble}. However, if they already make this, I'm buying it! By the time I figure out how to do the ruffle on the machine I could have the pillow done! I didn't know that the dollar store had pillow cases ~ definitely have to keep my eyes open when I'm in there.

  37. Love this, Beth! I can sew a straight line, but not a ruffle. 🙂 Thanks for the tutorial. 🙂

  38. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I may have to try this myself since I really can't sew and can't stomach paying more than $10 for a pillow.

  39. I can barely sew a button. I would pay the $20.49!!!!!! Ha! Isn't it funny what some people will or won't spend their money on?

    You did a marvelous job!!!! Looks like a store bought pillow to me!

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