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
Vicky @ Pearl District says
What a wonderful idea!!! I LOVE IT!!! I wouldn't pay that much for a pillow either!!! lol
Thank you for a great tutorial!!!
Mom to Many says
I'd love to make a shower curtain this way!
http://ldsmomtomany.blogspot.com/2010/10/pottery-barn-knock-off-pillows-and.html
Kathie @ Just a Happy Housewife says
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!!!
Mandi @ Finding Home says
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!
kirstin & jordan says
LOVE this… the ruffles are fabulous!
We have a friday fun finds party… we'd love it if you'd link to this! 🙂
kirstin & jordan says
LOVE this… the ruffles are fabulous!
We have a friday fun finds party… we'd love it if you'd link to this! 🙂
Jackie says
This is marvelous, I'm not much of a seamstress! But I think I can do this :}
Thx!
michelle@somedaycrafts says
This is beautiful! I am featuring it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
Shayna @ Texas Monkey says
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
Destination Seaborn says
Oh yeah! I love this idea! Lisa
JStacie says
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.
The Wheelers says
wow super cute thanks for sharing!
Mary Beth @ Live. Laugh. Make Something says
absolutely delightful! so sweet and full of charm! I like your bedroom!
Amy Kinser says
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.
One Cheap B*tch says
Loving your pillow! Thanks for sharing the cheap DIY version! I'll tell you it looks much more expensive than $3!
Jeanine
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage says
That is awesome!! Ruffle ribbon — I had no idea!!
Southern Fried Gal says
Very cute! I can't believe how simply and cheaply you made such cuteness! Great job!
MrsKBJ says
So cute! I love ruffles!
My name is PJ. says
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!!
Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says
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
Marianne@Songbird says
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.
McCarthy Designs says
Wonderful! I am going to find some ruffle ribbon and I am going to give this a go! Thanks for sharing. xx
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking says
Just my kind of sewing! I'm working on our master bedroom and I NEED some ruffle pillows… thanks for the great tut!
Kiersten :-) says
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.
Mel Tales says
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)
this mum' s world says
I'm with you on not wanting to pay top dollar on cushion (and most other things for that matter)
Thanks for sharing this great idea- I'll have to try it one day those ruffle cushions are just lovely.
http://thismumsworld.blogspot.com/
Lili living... says
I love LOVE LOVE love love LOVE LOVE this!! Thanks!
Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says
ADORE this! I could totally do it!! I put this on my FB page dear!
Jenn says
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}
Blessed Mommy of 2 says
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)
Jenny says
That is awesome! That pillow is adorable!
I have a sewing machine, but don't get to use it much.
Craftify It! says
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!
Susie from Bienvenue says
Love it love it love it..now I need some of that awesome ribbon~ Thanks for sharing…((hugs))
Jemsmom says
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!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says
"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!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
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.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Love this, Beth! I can sew a straight line, but not a ruffle. 🙂 Thanks for the tutorial. 🙂
The Clines says
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.
Magic Brush says
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!