Sewing pillow shams is a wonderful way to add a personalized touch to your bedroom decor. To sew a basic pillow sham, you need fabric, a sewing machine, coordinating thread, a measuring tape, scissors, and a pillow insert for sizing. The process involves measuring and cutting the fabric to size, sewing the pieces together with right sides facing each other, leaving an opening for the pillow insert, and then turning the sham right side out. For a more detailed step-by-step guide on sewing pillow shams, read on to learn about the materials required, preparations, and sewing techniques that will help you create beautiful, custom-designed pillow shams.
Materials Required for Sewing Pillow Shams
To get started with sewing pillow shams, gather the following materials:
- Fabric of your choice
- Coordinating thread
- Pillow insert or an old pillow you want to cover
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Straight pins
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
Choosing the Fabric and Preparing to Sew
Selecting the Fabric
Fabric choice is crucial as it defines the look and feel of your pillow sham. Consider the following when selecting fabric:
- Material: Cotton, linen, silk, and polyester are common choices.
- Pattern: Decide if you want a solid color, a subtle pattern, or a bold print.
- Durability: Choose a fabric suited to the intended use; for decorative purposes, lighter fabrics are fine, but for everyday use, choose a more durable fabric.
Measuring Your Pillow
Before cutting your fabric, measure the pillow insert to determine the size of your sham. Standard sizes of pillows vary, and you’ll want to add a little extra on each side for seam allowances. A standard size is to add two inches to both the length and the width of the pillow insert size for a proper fit.
Cutting the Fabric
Once you’ve measured your pillow:
- Cut one piece of fabric for the front of the sham. This piece should be the dimensions of your pillow insert plus seam allowances.
- Cut two additional pieces for the back. These will form the overlap that keeps the pillow in place. They should be the same width as the front piece and about 3/4 of the length each.
Planning for Details
Think about any additional details you want to include:
- Flanges: Extra fabric around the edge for a decorative border
- Closures: Buttons, ties, or zippers
- Trim: Lace, piping, or ruffles
If you’re adding any of these, adjust your fabric size and cut additional materials accordingly.
Top Pillows Recommended By GoodSleepHub.com
- Queen Pillows Set of 2- Includes two queen size gusset bed pillows (18 x 26 inches) designed to provide balanced softness and support for comfortable sleep. A great fit for beds, guest rooms, or dorms...
- SUPERIOR COMFORT - Queen pillows have a 250 thread count Cotton Cover filled with a soft 100% Polyester Fill. One of the best first apartment or new home essentials gift for bedroom, guest bed room,...
- Bed pillow offers exceptional comfort for a better night's sleep
- REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR SLEEP WITH THE INNOVATIVE HOLLOW CONCAVE DESIGN - Tired of waking up with neck pain and discomfort? Look no further! By combining the benefits of a traditional bed pillow and a...
Sewing Instructions
Preparing the Back Pieces
For the back pieces of the sham, you’ll need to create a finished edge where the two parts overlap:
- Take one of the back pieces and fold one of the long edges over by 1/4 inch, then press with an iron.
- Fold over another 1/4 inch, press again, and then stitch in place to create a hem.
- Repeat for the other back piece.
Sewing the Sham Together
- Lay the front piece of fabric right side up on your work surface.
- Place the two back pieces on top of the front piece, right sides down, with the hemmed edges overlapping in the center. The hemmed edges should be face up.
- Pin the layers together around the perimeter, making sure the edges align.
- Sew around the sham using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure your stitching.
- If you’re adding piping or trim, pin it between the front and back layers of fabric along the edge, and sew it in place as you attach the front and back pieces.
- Trim the corners at an angle to reduce bulk after the sham is turned right side out.
- Turn the sham right-side out through the opening at the back, then press the edges to create crisp corners.
Insert the pillow, and voilà, you’ve created a pillow sham!
Advanced Variations and Finishing Touches
For a more advanced project or personalized touch, consider adding a flange or decorative trims to your pillow sham.
Adding a Flange
A flange is a decorative fabric border:
- When cutting your front piece of fabric, add twice the width of the desired flange size plus seam allowances to both the length and width.
- Sew your front and back pieces together as described earlier, but before turning the sham right-side out, sew another line of stitching parallel to the first, at the desired flange width around the perimeter. This creates a guide when pressing the flange.
Decorative Trim and Extras
Adding trim, ruffles, or lace can elevate your pillow sham:
- When adding piping or lace, sew it to the right side of the fabric along the edge before layering the back pieces on top.
- To add ruffles, sew strips of fabric to the right side of the pillow front before attaching the back pieces.
Installing a Closure
If you want to ensure the back doesn’t gape:
- Add buttons and buttonholes, snap fasteners, or Velcro to the overlapped hemmed edges.
- For a zipper closure, install the zipper between the two back pieces before sewing the sham together.
Finishing Thoughts
Creating your own pillow shams can be a rewarding DIY project that adds a personal touch to your home. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewer, pillow shams are a relatively simple sewing task that can be customized with various fabrics, details, and embellishments to match your decor. Remember, the key to a successful project is careful measurement, cutting, and pressing for a professional-looking finish. Enjoy your newly crafted pillow shams and the added comfort and style they bring to your space!
