Sew a small pillow - PEP BB textile.sand.pillow

Nicole Alderman wrote:This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum.  Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in textiles.

In this project, you will make a small pillow.

Minimum Requirements:
  - Must be stuffed with a natural material: bedstraw, straw, feathers, or wool
  - Fabric must be a natural material (hemp, cotton, wool, linen, silk, etc)
  - Be at least 10x10 inches
  - It can be machine sewn, as you can probably already sew by hand if you can use a sewing machine!

To document completion of the BB, provide proof of the following as pics or video (< 2 min):
  -  Show your fabric
  -  Show your pillow in progress
  -  Show stuffing your pillow
  -  Show your completed pillow!

Here's a quick video on sewing a pillow

 

If you've never sewn before, I have a more in-depth tutorial down below!

Here's a tutorial on how to sew!

Step

1

Measure and Cut the Fabric

Generally, it is useful to first WASH the fabric, as it will shrink when washed. Though, if you're never planning on washing your pillow, this isn't really necessary. And, if it's an old tee-shirt or sheet you're re-purposing, you don't need to wash it, either.

Once the fabric is washed and dried, you'll want to iron it flat (not as necessary in a little pillow, but it's a good thing to get in the process of doing when sewing most anything)

Now lay it on a flat, preferably smooth surface and measure and cut it.

If you don't have the fancy clear ruler and slicy-thingy, no worries! Use any sort of straight edge to draw the line you'll cut. Find the sharpest pair of scissors you have, and cut on the line! (You can also buy a brand new pair of scissors and devote them soley to fabric so they stay sharp. Threaten your family with dire consequences if they use your precious fabric scissors for anything that's not fabric. Hide the scissors from them, too, if need be!)

Step

2

Pin the Fabric and Thread the Needle

Pin the pieces of fabric together

Thread the Needle

Tie a knot at the end of the needle

Step

3

Sew It

You might want to use a pencil and draw a line 1/2 inch from the edge of your fabric. This is where you'll sew. Make sure to NOT sew the whole pillow. Leave a gap to turn the thing right side out, and to stuff it.

You can Either sew it with a running stitch

or the back stitch. The back stitch is a bit more secure.

Step

4

Turn the Fabric Right-Side Out and Stuff It

Reach your finger through the hole you left, and grab some fabric and pull it through the hole. Just like when you turn your pants right side out.

Shove your stuffing through the hole. Push the stuffing into the corners first, then keep putting more stuffing in. And more stuffing. And even more. Because it will compress.

Step

5

Sew the hole shut!

For this, you need a blind stitch