How to Make the Perfect Square Pillow - No more pointy corners!
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- Have you ever tried to make a pillow and it didn't turn out quite how you had expected? Or are you sewing a pillow cover for the first time? Learn the tips and tricks that help your home dec projects go from looking home-made, to looking perfect and professional.
After watching several of your videos over and over and over, I finally built up enough courage to try a pillow. Bought a sewing machine and learned the basics on Saturday (day 1) Then on Monday (day 3) sewed a pillow with an invisible zipper, and NO pointy corners! Thank you for all your time making these videos. They are clear and extremely educational. And I’ve had one heck of a good time making something I never thought I would even try to make.
This makes my day!! ❤️ People like you that take time to express not only their appreciation (making videos is not easy or fun!) but their accomplishments, make it all worth while for me 😊. Congrats to you on your pillow and I hope you have many more sewing successes!
I'm in the exact same situation!
I have watched the videos, got the machine, started on Saturday, and today (Monday) I made my own pillow case with a zipper!! Super cool 🎉
Thank you for your videos!
You are revealing the decorating secret for the ages. Thank you! I pray your channel gains traction, as your explanations are very clear, and encouraging!
Thank you for the kind words! Comments like these keep me going 😊
Super helpful! I've watched other tutorials that say "trim the edges" but they didn't specify the nuances like you did. tysm
So after making a pillow with welt and invisible zipper I whipped up a beautiful ‘not square’ throw pillow. It’s so adorable! I’ve learned so much! Thanks
I am a complete beginner and have watched lots of videos on how to make cushions. Your videos are by far the best, lots of detail and good close up photography. Thank you for passing on your knowledge and please keep the videos coming. Carrie in the UK.
This comment makes me so happy! Thank you Carrie :) Its hard to make these videos and it is so encouraging to get comments like this! I actually lived in the UK when I was a child and have great memories of those years ❤️
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare its easy for people to take youtube videos for granted without contemplating the preparation and hard work that people put into making them. It's great to learn from experienced people who have honed their skills over many years and are able to communicate techniques easily and concisely. I just wish I hadn't wasted several weeks watching less informative videos with jingly music and limited instructions. Glad to hear you are encouraged by the comments, please keep sharing your skill - it's making a difference X
Your instructions for making a pillow correctly was excellent. I used to sew all the time but I haven't in a while so I needed help. The 18 inch square insert didn't seem to fit into the cover correctly. It would fit differently each time I put it in. So I measured it again the way you showed. Then I turned the insert one quarter turn and measured it again in this direction. The first measurement was 34 inches. The second measurement was 35 inches. That was the problem. So I had to adjust the size of the cover and it fit. I used the tag as a marker and noted on it how to put it in correctly next time. The lesson: A square insert is necessarily square. Check both ways.
I love this! Glad I could be of help ☺️
BEST teacher ever!Thank you for your generous instruction.
I want to learn to make a box cushion with piping and a zipper. You are a good teacher. Please make this.
You are absolutely my favorite teacher for sewing on you tube!! I’m 65 and .. still working full time..I’m a nurse and I’ve worked full time since age 16. Even while in highschool and college. I was afraid to retire without some hobbies! After gaveling some quotes to redo the house… my husband and I almost had a stroke!! Painters flooring tile and decorating costs were through the roof! I watched a few sewing tutorials hoping to learn how to make some pillows and window treatments. Then I found YOU! I have made curtains for thirteen windows!! I saved a fortune and they look so very designer quality! Next is pillows. You have that pretty well covered, and that is next!! I am hoping you could teach us how to make relaxed Roman shades and duvet covers. Once I’ve learned your technique, I will redo three bedrooms. Thank you so very much! Your instructions have been priceless. I had on semester of lessons in 7 th grade! You are so good at teaching!! I’m living every video!! Thank you!!
Wow! Well all I can say is that I’m very humbled and so glad I’ve been able to help you so much!! Comments like this are what makes it so rewarding for me and keeps me plugging away at making videos! We’re about the same age, so it’s never too late to learn new things. You’re learning to do home dec sewing and I’m learning how to make videos 😊
You are an excellent teacher. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge so generously!
Hi, I have been sewing for 40+ years and I really appreciate your tips. Sending love from Raleigh!!!
I've been making wonky pillows for 50 years! Now I know why. Thank you!
It’s never too late! 😊
Hi Nancy,
Your tutorials are AMAZING! The clarity with which you convey all of the information that’s relevant to each particular project, and the succinct articulation which you consistently use… is so refreshing!
I am embarking on sewing curtains for our master bedroom, and I’ve already purchased fabric to sew floor length draperies for our living/dining room, though I haven’t sewn in decades! (ever since I was a teenager …and even then I only created approximately three outfits.)
I’m a bit nervous…
You can do it! I really need to do a video on just basic drapery panel construction. I figured there’s already a million of them out there so why do one, but I should!
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Yes, if you’d be kind enough to make one -as I’ve seen that there are many different ways- I (& undoubtedly the rest of your “fan club”) would greatly appreciate it!
This is so informative!! I am a quilter and I have tried to make some quilted pillow and found the corners were always "odd" looking. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to applying these techniques to some new pillow covers.
You are a genius and just spared me so much frustration - thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Making a pillow for the first time for my friend. So glad I found your channel before I started my first stitch for my insert! I have some recutting to do! Can’t wait to learn more!
This is so helpful!!! I’ve been doing this wrong my whole life and always wondered why I had baggy corners. Can’t wait to see more!
Thank you Annie! Lots more to come, so check in often!
Love your video I learned so much even though I have sewn for many years. Thank you for all the great tips. I am starting a pillow business in Bali and they will be perfect from your tips.
Best of luck with your new business!
Thank you! This (& the measure your insert) helps me SO much. I'm about to make a memory pillow, and I want it to be perfect!
I’m sure it will be!
Oh goody! I found your channel today--right when I need to recover or resew four pillows.
My pillow turned out amazing! THank you 😊❤
I did this! I made simple covers for a couple of throw pillows and tapered the corners. I am so pleased with how they turned out. Thanks so much for all the information you have here. Very clear explanations, and your manner for teaching is helpful and pleasant.
Good for you!!! Easy, right? Now you can try something more challenging 😉
Thank you much so helpful my corners no words...all the best lol forward to more tutorials 😊
I saw special rulers that draw these corners for you, but I didn't know why and now that you've explained why and how you should adjust the measurement based on the size of the pillow as well (something I did NOT notice on these rulers), I don't need another gadget I'd probably only use a few times, am I right? I am -- because you showed everyone all they need to know without the special ruler. Thanks so much for not only showing us the 'how' but for also explaining the 'why'. I'm a fan and I promise to pay it forward and tell my friends..... ;)
Thank you!! Yes, I only buy and use gadgets that are consistent time savers. I need to do a video on what those tools and gadgets are!
This is a great video, thank you! Would you do the same for the corners of a pillow insert?
Ah, good question! You certainly can! I normally don’t bother on the insert because I always do this on the cover
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Ok, thank you :)
Thanks a million. You’re great!
I can't wait to watch all your videos I'm very excited
Thank you!
Great tips, thanks so much!
I love this video - I've often wondered what to do about those pointy pillow corners! Can't wait to get started on a couple pillow covers that have been cut out and waiting to be sewn for months. This is just what I needed. But . . . I can barely hear you. (sad face). Maybe I need a new computer AND new ears! haha. Thanks
That’s the first I’ve heard of audio problems…hope it’s not from my end! Enjoy the videos 😊
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Hi - when I started the video over, it was just the intro that was not very loud. The rest of the video was fine - and enjoyable.
Nancy, your tutorials are so clear and informative, thank you. I’m wondering what brand of pillow forms you prefer. Thanks in advance!
Thank you! I usually get my forms locally but my store just closed!! If I can't buy local I get them from my wholesale resource, United Supply Company.
I too have learnt a lot from you even though I have been making pillow
covers (cushions as we call them in the uk). I love your table with the marked lines, did you make that too? Thank you, looking forward to some binge watching of your videos now I’ve found you. X
Thank you 😊 I did build my table and at some point will make a video on how to make your own!
Your technique works with crowned furniture cushions as well. Gre
Great video! I have an office chair I want to reupholster. I'd love to see a video on how to do that
Thanks Natalie! Although window and bedding are my specialty, perhaps I can have a guest tutor come on at some point and offer tips and advice on your request!
LOVE your channel! I have a client who wants throw pillows with welt and invisible zippers. Can I do welt and invisible zippers AND also use your tapered corner technique to avoid “pointy ears”? Or am I going to regret attempting all three at once? I’m a pretty good sewist but I don’t have a welt foot with my Janome. Thank you for your excellent videos. I was a teacher for 28 years, and your teaching technique is stellar!
I do all three all the time!! It’s definitely a lot easier with a welt foot but I have confidence you’ll succeed. Maybe there’s one you can buy that will fit? And thank you for the kind words 😊
Oh, thank you for that perfect lesson. Can you do something on how, where and size of tassels, and why you would use or not use them?
Sure :) Are you talking about tassel fringe that goes all the way around, or corner tassels?
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Yes, corner tassels. I'm just working on a pillow that I decided to put cording on. I have put it on many purses, but never on a pillow. I'm crossing my fingers. I have a craft show in 10 days and am putting the pedal to the metal.
Corner tassels might make a good short video :) There are a couple of ways to do it but try this: Apply the cording to the pillow front first, as usual. Then sew the front and back together leaving a very small opening at each corner. Backstitch where you start and stop the stitching and leave an opening just big enough for the cord on the tassel to fit through. Turn it right side out and push a small crochet hook from inside the pillow through the opening. Grab the loop of the tassel cord and pull it to the inside, pulling the tassel snugly to the corner. Hand tack in place. Hope that helps :)
Wow, thank you for that advice. I really like the crochet hook idea. I never would have thought of that.
That was a helpful video. I have a question- why not just adjust the pattern so that the corners are all ready to go?
You can! I don't use a pattern for pillows, so I just cut whatever size I need and taper as I sew.
Hi Nancy,
I watch your tutorials and i enjoy them actually they encouraged me to start sewing pillows for myy sofa and bedroom my problem is the pointy ends, I don't care how much fiber fill i put in them its like the pillow sucks the fiber fill out of the corners. Then i saw your tutorial No More Pointy Corners i thought i'm saved, i have tried measuring out the the amount in your tutorial i just can't get it ,i was trying to make a template so i could have it to no avail could you please do a tutorial on how to correctly gave those measurement please Thank you.
For larger pillows or fabrics with some stretch I do have to exaggerate the taper. So just take note on your finished pillow of where it begins to look “empty”, and pin the line how you’d like it to look, measure or mark, then take out the stuffing and re-sew your seam taking out the fullness.
YUP this is perfect.
Hi Nancy,
Now that you've made me aware of them, I want to make every effort to avoid pointy pillow corners. That being said, can your corner tapering technique be used in combination with a zipper? If so, what advice do you have for obtaining a good result?
Yes, no problem. Just follow the taper line with your zipper. The zip usually stops and starts pretty close to where the taper starts, so there's not much overlap - the zip is mostly on the straight.
Thank you so much for this amazing tutorial! Would this work if I’m attaching twisted piping cord all around?
It sure will! Just taper to your turn, clip the tape and turn a sharp corner. I made a video on how to join the ends of twist cord in case you need it 😉
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare thank you so much!
Have you ever considered making templates for these corners? It would help keep them uniform if we could just draw them on all the same. I may try it.
And one last question; you suggested about one inch in for the slope point, as measured from the side. What would you suggest from the actual old corner. Would it be a little over an inch? Thanks for the video!!
I've actually never thought about making a template. I've made hundreds and hundreds of pillows this way so I just do it by eye. Also it varies a little with the size of each pillow. My taper might range from 1/4" to an inch or so - I go by 'feel' and experience I guess. I'm not sure I can answer your other question very well. I'd suggest starting on the conservative side - it's easier to take in more than to have to take out stitching!
I would love to see how to make a template for throw pillows. The hardest part for me is cutting it out of big slab of fabric. I don't know why this is, but since i make mostly the same size, a template out of like poster board would be perfect. Truth be told measuring is the real issue.
You can purchase a pillow template if you don’t want to make one. I made a video on how to use it :)
Hi Nancy! I’ve watched and re-watched several of your videos and love them! I am making a 20x72 body pillow cover (19x70 after snugging!). How far in would you start the corner adjustments on each side? And how far in from the corner would you draw the line? On my long side i’m thinking starting at 7 inches and 1.5 inches from the corner. Thanks!
Thank you! I’d say 6” on the long side and 3“ or so on the short side is is probably plenty. You kind of get to a point where the length of the pillow doesn’t really matter any more once you’ve addressed the corner itself. 1.5 usually works well but up to 2” from the cut edge works of big pillows. Good luck!
I didn't get a notification, Come to check on your channel and u have 4 Videos Up.. Sad Face.. Great Job on your First Video I'm going to continue Series and make me a Pillow..
Regarding notifications, it looks like bell notifications, and any notifications for that matter, only kick in when my channel has a certain number of subscribers. I'll try and find out more about when that might happen. In the meantime, double check that you have that option turned on in your settings. Thanks for watching and supporting me!! Can't wait to see your first pillow.
Your tips are so helpful and I find your videos so easy to follow. I do have a question: I made a 26” euro sham with contrasting mitered flanges and it looks good, but I wondered if I should have used your tapered corner technique to eliminate extra fabric in the corners. I wasn’t sure if this would work with a flange. Any suggestions? Thanks
Good question! So the answer isn’t easy 😆. On the one hand yes, tapering the body of the sham does eliminate the baggy corners, but on the other hand it’s trickier to apply the flange and can even look funny if the fabric has a strong plaid or striped pattern. Usually fabricators opt to stick with a true square or rectangular body and pad the entire front of the sham, body and flange, so it has more body and holds it’s own corners up from the padding even though the insert doesn’t fill them up. Hope this helps!
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Thanks for your advice. I thought the flange might be tricky. The body material has a large vertical cable braid design and the flange is a solid fabric in coordinating color. I would be game to experiment if the cable fabric wasn’t so expensive. However, I can cut the body down an inch which will lessen the excess fabric and give a snugger fit and will also try your suggestion. Please keep the videos coming…they are fantastic!
Could you make a video on how to do a disc/ squab pattern?
I’m not sure what a disc or squab pattern is. Can you clarify?
Like just a flat circle, often used on chairs. Like your circle pillow tutorial but without the rectangle in the pattern to add depth.
@@tesscowley1562 Oh, ok! I’ll add it to the list :)
So I have a 16x16 pillow and started my invisible zipper 2" from the edges. Can I taper at 2 inches?
You can, but you don’t have as much room for a gradual taper and you don’t want to make it too extreme, so it’s better if you actually taper the zipper a little. I usually start my taper about 1” from my zipper stop points.
What about the cushion with seams on the corner ? Do you have a videos about that ? Amazing video
Not yet but it’s on the list!!
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare do you have an email ? I would like to send you emails when I cannot figure out how to do some jobs? You are absolutely amazing thank you for sharing
@@shailacrooks asquarepillowisntsquare@gmail.com
I am really happy I found u! But what I want to no even doh u putting a zipper will it still the same 18by 18 to get the 17 by 17 perfect fit?
The pillow will finish at the same size whether you put in a zipper or just sew it closed :)
Are there any adjustments to this technique for lumbar pillows? What about pillows with cording?
If you mean just rectangular pillows (some people use that word to refer to neck roll or bolsters), and cording around the very outer edge, no adjustments are necessary. The only adjustment I might make is if I'm doing a really wide cover, like for a queen or king sham, I might make the overlap bigger.
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Thank you for your reply. Yes, I was referring to a lumbar pillow.
Would an invisible zipper be installed the same way with the tapered corners as demonstrated on your invisible zipper video?
Yup, exactly the same way!
I like the way this looks , can you put a zipper in the perfect pillow? Your zipper tutorials look like the pillow is just the regular square instead of this shape. thank you!
Yes! You can install the zipper the same way in a tapered corner pillow cover. Just follow the shape of the line you want :)
It looks kind of strange until you put the pillow form in? My pillow form is coming today. I’m nervous about how it looks.🤔
It might look a little strange...but I always measure the pillow form first before cutting and sewing the cover, so hopefully it will work out for you!
Can you still use this technique when you are making a pillow with a flange?
Yes!
Can you fix it after sewing the zippers?
It really depends on the length of the zipper and if there is welt but yes, you can turn it inside out and re-sew the corners on a simple knife edge pillow
@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Ok thank you so much
Great help, but I found the lack of strong contrast in the colour of the fabric and your lines drawn made it difficult to see. Other than that, it was a great help. Thank you
Thank you. Yes, sometimes when all the recording is done and I upload it to make a video I''m like "well dang..that didn't turn out very well", but by then it's just too hard to get back to that point and re-record it! Making videos has definitely been a trial by fire experience for me!
What do you recommend for a filler on pillows
My personal favorite is down/feather blend inserts. There are high quality polyester cluster fill forms that are a great alternative. The best looking and functioning pillows require good inserts :)
What type of machine are you using?
I’m using an old industrial machine - a Mitsubishi LS2-2210. But I have several other machines I use as well. I’ll probably talk about them on a video in the near future :)
En français svp
Svp? Qu’est -ce que c’est?
👏