DIY fabric pillow toys. Features of sewing original toy pillows using patterns. DIY pillow toys - looking for inspiration

Wonderful pillows can be used as toys

A modern house reflects the creativity, taste and character of the owners, and is the embodiment of fantasy and creative thought. You can revive the interior of a nursery in a budget way - decorate the room with bright and cheerful textile accessories.

A scattering of animal pillows on a crib, sofa or sofa will bring rainbow colors and create the right mood, which is extremely important for the development of the baby. To make it easier for beginners to master the process of sewing a baby pillow with their own hands, you just need to look at the world through the eyes of a child.

A beautiful figured children's pillow is not only a striking attribute of the design of a children's island, but also a very functional thing. In shops textile products There are many different products available, but a hand-sewn pillow is always an exclusive and original accessory. Experienced needlewomen are constantly looking for creative ideas, new forms and designs.

Pillows for children

Craftswomen are happy to share their experience with beginners, making their task easier with practical advice:

• Please pay attention to the choice of fabric. Everything that is appropriate for decorating a living room may not be suitable for a nursery. In such a room it is important to maintain a high level of environmental friendliness and safety. Choose hypoallergenic fabrics and natural materials. Fantasy and creativity are the engine of progress. You can use old cotton T-shirts or knitted sweaters as a base. The surface of such a budget decorative pillow for a nursery is pleasant to the touch and does not “bite” like wool or mohair.

Choosing fabric

• Color spectrum. Harmony is the main factor when choosing the color of pillows for a nursery. In the classic design, they can match the color of the curtains, sofa upholstery or wallpaper pattern in the room. You can play with contrast and create new and interesting color combinations.

When choosing a color, there is only one rule: the child’s eyes should not get tired. Avoid flashy or neon shades. Soft undertones and warm colors can correct child development, create the right mood.

• Decoration. Creative craftswomen use any details as decoration: remnants of fabric, patches with prints, elements of embroidery or knitting, ribbons and lace. In the design you should not use large buttons, pointed beads, or protruding parts.

Decor for pillows

• Filler. Sewing decorative pillows with your own hands is not difficult, but you need to think in advance about what to fill it with. The material must meet all safety requirements and have hypoallergenic properties. A medium firm pillow will be the best option, as soft padding will lose its shape over time. Materials such as foam rubber, synthetic padding, and padding polyester are safe for children.

Pillow fillings

Developmental pillows are very popular these days. To fill it, you can use silicone balls; they promote the development of children's motor skills, easily changing the shape of the product.

Sewing ideas

When modeling textiles for children, you need to forget all the classical rules. In the world of children's dreams and fun there is no place for boredom or dullness.

Beautiful baby pillows

When a child looks at a pillow, only optimistic and pleasant associations should arise, for example, with a favorite cartoon character, kind animals, bright sun or warm summer.

We offer several simple master classes, thanks to which you can create an exclusive textile masterpiece in just one evening.

Soft Bunny

With a beautiful soft pillow in the shape of a bunny, the baby will immediately make friends and sleep on it will be very comfortable. For work you will need finished pattern, fabric such as velsoft or microfleece, felt for decorating the face, lace or ribbon, soft filling and tailor's chalk (bar of soap).

Bunny shaped pillows

The algorithm is simple:

• We transfer the details of the pattern from the paper to the fabric. We outline each one with chalk and carefully cut it out. You should get two blanks for each ear and head of the bunny.
• We sew the parts together, starting with the ears, leaving a small hole for the filling.
• We put the ears stuffed with padding polyester inside the head, pin them together, baste them and sew them together, leaving a hole at the bottom.
• We turn the head right side out, fill it with padding polyester and sew up the hole with a hidden seam.
• Let's start creating a cute bunny face. We cut out individual parts of the muzzle from thin felt, pin it with pins so that they do not move during work, and then sew it on with a hidden seam. You can use fabric glue.
• We make a large bow from the ribbon and sew it to the bunny’s ear to give it an elegant look.

Bunny pillow

A beautiful pillow in the shape of a kind bunny is ready. You can experiment with color, fabric and design of the animal's face, creating a whole family of bunnies.

Cat pillow

IN Lately pillow toys have become very popular. Cute “purrs” not only decorate the interior of the nursery, but also become participants in children’s games.

To sew a pillow in the shape of a cat, you will need a pattern. You can take a ready-made template or draw it according to your own sketch. To work, you will need fleece fabric in two colors, strong threads to match, soft padding, and felt for the muzzle.

Let's start sewing the cat:

• Let's prepare a pattern on paper. You can use ready-made patterns or draw your own. We transfer the templates to the fabric and cut out the details.
• We sew the elements together, starting with the cat’s ears. Light color fleece for the muzzle, sewn into the head. The front side of the pillow looks like squares sewn into each other.
• We sew the ears on top, machine stitch all sides, leaving a small hole at the bottom.
• We fill the product with synthetic down, synthetic padding or silicone balls, and sew up the hole with a hidden seam.
• Let's draw a face. You can use paints or waterproof markers. When drawing the faces of animal pillows for a children's room, try to give them as optimistic and cheerful a look as possible. Gloomy and unhappy animals can simply scare a small child.

Sewing children's pillows with your own hands requires not only creative inspiration, but also perseverance. In just one evening you can sew an original toy as a gift for your daughter or son. When decorating a product for little fidgets, you should securely fasten the parts in order to prolong the life of the soft animal.

Cat - pillow

Orthopedic pillow

If you like to travel with the whole family, then an original and useful accessory in the form of a comfortable orthopedic pillow will be a welcome gift for your child.

As a rule, all orthopedic pillows are shaped like the letter “C”. For padding, medium-hard filler is used to maintain the shape of the product.

To make the pillow look fun, you can play with the image using animal motifs or your favorite cartoon characters. To sew a product, you do not need to look for complex patterns. Draw a large letter C on paper and transfer the pattern to a soft cloth folded in half face down. We cut out the blanks, sew them together, stuff them with filler and sew up the hole with a hidden seam. Now comes the fun part - choosing an idea for decoration. To make your child smile when looking at the pillow, you can give it the appearance of a mischievous monkey by decorating its muzzle, sewing on a long tail and paws. A pillow in the shape of a cat curled up in a ball will give your baby vivid dreams, giving you the opportunity to gain strength during rest for new achievements.

Orthopedic pillow

Love and care can manifest themselves in different ways. Creation - The best way talk about your feelings, about what fills your heart. A pillow sewn by the tender hands of a mother will give the baby joy, a sense of security and a sunny mood.

How to sew a pillow with your own hands? Every needlewoman thought about this. A pillow is needed not only for sleeping; with its help you can make your apartment design complete and original.

Having seen enough photos of homemade pillows on the Internet, you might think that sewing requires experience and talent. But having understood the process of creating a pillow, it turns out that it is not at all difficult.

Let's figure out how to make a pillow with your own hands?

The most important thing to know before you start

Before you start sewing a decorative pillow with your own hands, you need to decide exactly how it will look. But more important than this is choosing the fabric and filling.

If you want to make a multi-functional pillow, it is important to choose a fabric that can be easily cleaned. The filler should not fall into dense lumps for as long as possible, losing its elasticity.

Materials. Textile

To make a durable, practical and beautiful pillow, you need to choose the right fabric.

Firstly, it should not become highly electrified and attract any dust; it can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

Secondly, the material must prevent dust from entering the packing. Suitable fabrics:

• Atlas
• Crepe satin
• Furniture upholstery fabrics
• Bike
• Linen fabrics

You can use other fabrics besides propylene matting. It is slippery, rough and hard, so it is not suitable for a soft pillow.

Padding

A pillow can be stuffed with many materials. It can be cotton wool, bird down or feathers, foam rubber, padding polyester, holofiber and many others.

Let's look at each filler:

Cotton wool and synthetic padding fall into clumps at great speed. At the same time, it is almost impossible to fill the product evenly with cotton.

Feathers and down are not suitable not only because of difficult availability, but also because of insufficient elasticity. No one will fluff a decorative pillow like a bedroom pillow, so as not to spoil the beautiful finish.

Holofiber is easily available and comes in two forms: sheets and in the form of fluffy granules. Sheet is more expensive, it can be replaced with cheaper foam rubber. Holofiber is well suited for a pillow. It serves for about 10 years without slipping.

Another filler option is round silicone granules. They are best for baby pillows because they are hypoallergenic and can be easily poured out, rinsed, dried and put back in through a small hole.

Decoration. Colors

The easiest way to decorate the interior is to do it with pillows of different colors. Of course, they should match the color scheme of the interior items: furniture, curtains or even walls.

It is sometimes a difficult task to achieve a combination - but a very popular one. From pillows of different colors you can create an ensemble that will highlight all the advantages of the interior.

The most interesting thing is that the idea of ​​multi-colored pillows is not only easy to implement, but also affordable.

Note!

Do not opt ​​only for plain fabrics; materials with patterns and ornaments will look advantageous.

Seal

Recently, printing on fabrics has become increasingly popular. Why not print on your pillow? This affordable option decoration of your product: printing prices are not very high, the design is durable and clear.

With the help of numerous computer programs you can make a design in advance and even see how the ensemble will look in the interior.

Form and fragment

Pillows can be made in absolutely any shape. There are no restrictions in this, the main thing is to show your imagination. You can use the modular sewing technique. To do this, several simple parts are made, which are subsequently stitched in place into a complex product.

The downside of this method is that it is quite difficult to clean. It is necessary to either completely disassemble the product or use a furniture vacuum cleaner.

Note!

Patchwork or patchwork is also used. Most often, they take the key fragment and place it in the center. The fragments that match it are located along the periphery. Simple, but very effective!

Key element

The compact key element adds elegance to the decorative pillow. Such an element can be a button, tassels, bows and much more. There are no restrictions here either.

You can elevate a product made from modest fabric with the help of a key element. With its help, the finished product will look richer and more expensive, so you can use technical or furniture upholstery fabrics that are not brightly colored.

Knitting, embroidery, lace

Knitted sofa cushions are more difficult to make than simply sewn from fabric. You must be able to knit or crochet - this is a labor-intensive craft that requires care.

However, like embroidery. You can embroider any subject on the pillow using satin stitch, cross stitch or ribbons. Here, too, everything depends on your skill, imagination and perseverance.

You can also decorate the product with lace. Of course, it’s easier to buy ready-made lace in a store, but it will be much more expressive if you make the lace yourself.

Note!

Just imagine the faces of your guests when they see pillows made entirely by your own hands.

To make a pillow, you can use, for example, an old sweater. The effect will be the same as from a self-knitted cover. If desired, it can be decorated with various beads, buttons, and so on.

Embroidery on pillows

As mentioned earlier, you can decorate a pillow with any embroidered designs, but they cannot be done using any technique that you own.

Therefore, do not embroider with beads on the pillow. Why? It's simply unhygienic. It will be difficult to wash out all the dirt from under the beads, but what gets into the beads itself will remain there forever. And think about it: will it be comfortable to lie on such a pillow?

Cross stitch is best because it is the most durable. You can wash such a product without worrying about the threads coming out. You can use satin stitch, but when washed, the threads weaken and the design loses its attractiveness.

From old clothes

So, you can make a pillow out of old sweaters, but what else can I use? Whatever! Old T-shirts, sweaters, tank tops - everything that is lying around in your closet and is waiting in line for the landfill.

You can even use jeans. The product will not be so soft, but will look very original.

Figures

These pillows will fit perfectly into a child's room. They can simply stand on the bed or even a shelf, pleasing the eye and completing the design of the nursery. They can serve as toys or fulfill their intended purpose.

A figurine pillow can be of any shape, the main thing is that you and your children like it.

Funny letters

With the help of such pillows, your child will learn letters faster. Often letters or numbers are sewn for the holidays. Letters can also serve as toys too.

Sometimes it’s not very comfortable to sleep on them, but they look great in the interior.

For the manufacture of capital letters It’s better to use foam rubber and fill only the edges with holofiber. You can stuff any large pillows this way.

Sides

Every mother of a baby knows the problem: how to protect the child from blows while sleeping in a crib? The child has already been saved from falling out of the crib, but what to do with these hard sides that the child constantly hits in his sleep?

You can also sew a pillow for these purposes! Foam rubber is best suited for sides. It is dense and will not allow the child to feel the fence upon impact.

You can sheathe any foam rubber soft cloth, to which the child will not be allergic. To keep the pillow side in place, you need to sew on fabric ties that will hold the pillow in the crib.

Any pillow, regardless of its shape, size and design, will fit perfectly into any interior.

Easy to make and not requiring special talent or skills, these products will transform a boring and dull apartment into an original and cozy place for relax.

Photos of DIY pillows

Initially, pillows were invented not for comfort during sleep, but for the sake of preserving complex, intricate hairstyles. The first examples of these devices were preserved in the tombs of the Egyptian pyramids and have survived to this day in their original form. In eastern countries (China, Japan), “pillows” were special devices made of stone or porcelain, which were placed under the neck, also to preserve hairstyles. There was no talk of any convenience. Hard “pillows” performed exclusively a supporting function for the head. To get used to sleeping on such devices required a habit developed over the years. Real soft pillows, which are well known to all of us, were invented in Ancient Greece. Most of the wealthy citizens of this country tried to create comfortable conditions for recreation. Because most They spent their lives in bed, soft mattresses and pillows became a mandatory attribute of their pastime. They were stuffed with down, feathers, and aromatic herbs.

History remembers many precedents when a pillow became a murder weapon, but this decorative item not only took away, but also saved lives. For example, one of the parables about Buddha talks about how a pillowcase stuffed with fragrant leaves, on which he fell asleep, saved him from physical fatigue. From ancient Greece, pillows migrated to Ancient Rome. Although at first they were very skeptical about them, later this attribute for sleep became mandatory even for the military, hardened by the harsh life of the field. It was given a sacred meaning: a thing that protects a person’s sleep. Many girls' fortune telling is related to pillows. Fir branches, combs, and twigs were placed under them in the hope that this would “bring” the betrothed to sleep. Bags of lavender and dried wormwood, hidden in pillows, were supposed to normalize sleep and ward off evil spirits. To harm a person, it was enough to sew a specially prepared magical attribute into his pillowcase. These beliefs have survived to this day, although the age of digital technology denies the mystical component. Centuries later, the pillow becomes an important part of textile decor. Some are intended only for the bed, while others decorate the house. Let's talk about how to sew pillows with your own hands and what you will need for this work.

Purpose and types of sofa cushions

Pillows are classified into two types depending on their purpose:

• Decorative. Their main function is interior decoration. Such pillows may be hard and uncomfortable, but this is not so important, because they certainly look beautiful and stylish.
• For sleep. Comfortable pillows, which are decorated only with colored pillowcases. They are intended only for sleeping and most of the time they are covered with a blanket on the bed or hidden in niches for storing bedding.

Depending on the location, pillows are divided into three more types:

• Sofas. Although the name speaks for itself, such pillows can decorate not only sofas, but also armchairs, chairs, ottomans, and chaise lounges.
• Triggered. Now this type is rare. Foot cushions were popular in the Middle Ages. Then the owners of stone castles, fearing that their feet would get cold when in contact with a cold floor, ordered special pads.
• Floor-standing. Pillows are stacked directly on the floor. This is an excellent replacement for armchairs and stools. The tradition of sitting on the floor came to us from the east. For example, in Turkey, entire “beds” are built from them for guests. In Japan it is generally not customary to use chairs. However, the Japanese are so accustomed to sitting on folded knees that they, in fact, do not need pillows. But for those who are trying to fit into their lifestyle, floor cushion will be a salvation from numb legs.

Separately, it is worth noting figured pillows, which are usually classified as children's pillows. They are given the shape of various animals, cartoon characters, and letters of the alphabet. They are decorated with drawings and inscriptions. For example, for little boys they sew pillows in the shape of cars or robots, and for girls they choose more delicate options: puppies, giraffes, cats, dogs, soft dolls. You can sleep on such toys, but most of the time they decorate the room and are used for games. Depending on the sewing technology, several more types are distinguished:

• Quilted. The pillowcases of these pillows are decorated with rough seams that run right through and connect three layers: two canvases and cotton insulation in the middle. They can act as decoration and be used only for sleeping. In a sleeping set, a warm quilt is usually included with the pillows.
• Modular or sectional. The lower and upper parts of such pillows are connected by a special insert. Thanks to this, they look more voluminous.
• Turkish. Their pillowcases are generously decorated with fringe, and the corners are decorated with tassels.

Shape of pillows

The classic “European” shape of a pillow is considered to be square or rectangular. Such small things are called “dumkas”. The second most popular, eastern type is rollers. These pillows are shaped like cylinders and are used not only as headrests, but also as armrests. They are quite hard and tightly packed with filler. Round pillows (buffs) are also considered to come from the East. They are very rarely used for sleeping, but are ideal for decorating sofas and as soft seats on stools. They are usually decorated with numerous folds and intricacies of fabric. All other forms belong to the group of figured pillows. The most popular ones include pillows in the shape of letters and hearts. There was a real “boom” just a couple of years ago. Furry hearts with typical “love” inscriptions, stuffed with foam rubber, were sold in almost every home textile store.

Types of fabrics

A cover or pillowcase (if used for sleeping) is the main part, the “face” of a soft pillow. As a rule, it is made of durable fabric that will withstand many washes and last for many years. For homemade pillows, improvised materials are often used: from old clothes(T-shirts, jeans), blankets or patchwork scraps.
Although in last years synthetic fabrics have taken over the textile market, it is better to choose natural ones:

• Silk. Delicate but skin-friendly material. Silk slipcovers are difficult to maintain, but they go perfectly with a luxurious, classic design.
• Linen. The rough texture of flax suits the country subspecies. The material wrinkles easily. This is its main drawback, but it is hypoallergenic and pleasant to the touch. In the summer heat, linen will give you a feeling of coolness, and in winter it will warm you up.
• Cotton. Inexpensive natural material, which is easy to care for. In terms of stylistic consistency, cotton slipcovers are easy to integrate into almost any interior.
• Wool. The covers may look rough, but the material will keep you warm in the cold winter. It's nice to sleep on these pillows.

When choosing fabric for a cover, it is important to follow the rules of its compatibility with the filling:

• For “loose” fillings, thick fabric pillowcases are needed.
• For delicate stuffing (swan down), the same delicate fabric is selected, which will allow you to feel the filling.

Popular textile options for pillow covers include fleece, felt, teak, jacquard, satin, percale, cambric, twill, and tapestry.

Polyester is considered one of the cheapest and most durable materials. This synthetic fabric is not suitable for sewing covers. It quickly wears out and loses its shape. It is not recommended to use old polyester T-shirts for sewing pillowcases.

Types of stuffing

The next question that faces those who want to make a pillow with their own hands is what to stuff it with? TO natural fillers include swan down, goose feathers, horsehair, sheep and camel wool, and even buckwheat husks. These types of fillers require special care. Due to their high cost, they are mainly purchased for those pillows that will be used for sleeping. Decorative ones are mainly stuffed with synthetic fillers:

• Sintepon. The leader among synthetic paddings. It replaced foam rubber, unlike which it breathes due to its special fibrous structure. Synthetic filler is lightweight, does not cause allergies and is easy to care for.
• Holofiber. Almost weightless material that allows moisture and odors to pass through. Holofiber fillings are ideal for kitchen pillows.
• Latex filler. It is obtained from foam rubber. The filler holds its shape well, so it is often used for filling special orthopedic pillows for people with problematic health.

There is also a separate type of filler - comforter. The material consists of small balls that quickly regain their shape after pressing.

How to sew a pillow with your own hands

Sewing a pillow can be divided into several stages:

• Selection of materials and tools (scissors, needles, liner or chalk, thread, sewing tape measure).
• Directly stitching together the elements.
• Padding.
• Final suturing of the hole through which the filler was passed. Attaching a zipper.
• Making a cover and decorating it.

Given below detailed master class will help you understand the algorithm for performing work.

You need to start sewing with a pattern. In essence, this is a scheme, a “template”, according to which you will have to work in the future. Typically, patterns are presented in finished form in specialized magazines or on websites for needlewomen. It will be quite difficult to draw a drawing for a pillow of complex shape (animals, letters) on your own, but for simple thoughts or cushions it is quite possible. The main thing that should not be forgotten is the “reserves” of fabric that will be wrapped inside and processed with an overlocker, which will prevent them from delaminating into fibers. The standard size of a rectangular pillow is 70x50 cm. If there are no plans to make a pillowcase, then it is easy to buy a ready-made cover for such a model in any textile store. Markings are applied to the fabric on the reverse side after measurements are taken. The pattern is then cut out. For pillows of complex shapes, use a pre-prepared template made of graph paper, which is secured with pins. Can be cut big piece fabric into two and sew them together or cut out a rectangle, fold it in half and make do with connecting the sides. This will result in one less seam.

To make it easier for a beginner to work, first make a sketch on a sheet of paper finished product and preliminary pattern drawing. Having the end result in front of your eyes will make it easier to navigate.

Sewing

The parts of the future pillow are sewn together from the wrong side. The stitch should go exactly along the pre-designated line. It is better to use a sewing machine, as the stitching will be more accurate and durable. If the work is done by hand, then the stitch is done as little as possible. Only then will the pillow be strong. Three (two, if there is one fabric), the sides are sewn completely, and the fourth only halfway. The hole is necessary to turn the pillow inside out and fill it with stuffing. Some people immediately sew a zipper on the fourth side. The locking clasp is really convenient, but you need to choose models with small sliders and tiny teeth on the ribbons. Too large parts of the zipper can be “felt” through the cover and cause discomfort. The edges of the fabric must be processed from the inside. It's better to use an overlocker.

Padding

Filling a pillow with synthetic filling is a simple process, which is not the case with natural down. Usually it is “poured” from old cases into new ones. If you take a “clump” of fluff in your hand, it may seem that there is nothing difficult in sorting it out. However, just a couple of movements are enough and the white weightless fluffs scatter throughout the room, trying to get into your mouth or nose. You can’t just “pour in” the fluff. This is not cotton wool, which retains its shape and is easy to compact. A hole is made in the old cover, which is sewn to the same one in the new pillow. The fluff is gently “turned”, crushed and moved by hand. This process will take more than one hour, so you will have to be patient. Those who purchased fluff in a store should also not tear open the packaging, but follow the same pattern of pouring from one container to another.

How to sew a pillow?

The eversion hole is usually closed with a hidden stitch. Stitches should be small and neat. The knot is tied from the inside, and the needle is pulled to the front side. The edges of the fabric are folded, and the cover is folded exactly along the machine seam, which ends in the middle. This is important because the discrepancy will be obvious. To make the stitch look even neater, it is duplicated, but the needle punctures are staggered relative to the previous ones. Then the seam will be stronger and it will look neater. Since the pillow will not be exhibited in a museum as an exhibit and it will spend most of its time in a pillowcase, the fourth side “from the face” can simply be stitched with a machine. The main thing is that the line goes as close to the edge as possible. If the fabric chosen is variegated, then the thread selected by shade will not be noticeable on it at all.

Pillowcase

When the work on sewing the pillow itself is completed, you can begin the most creative part, choosing the design of the pillowcase. First you need to choose a design that matches the stylistic decision of the room that will decorate this piece of decor. For classics, it is better to use luxurious, expensive fabrics with elegant embroidery with gold or silver threads. For modern styles simple cut models made from laconic materials are suitable, because here the emphasis should be on shape and color. For oriental interiors, colorful pillows with numerous fringes and tassels are created. A child's room will be decorated with covers with frills, ruffles, appliqués, lace, and simple embroidery. For modern girls' bedrooms, pillows decorated with sequins, pins, bows and even fur are suitable. For rustic interiors They use knitted covers decorated with buttons and ribbon flowers.

Pillow decor options

Decorating is the most creative part of the process. Here you can fully express your imagination and create both laconic options for strict interiors and playful solutions for original furnishings. To decorate the case, both available materials and specially purchased fittings are suitable. Let's take a closer look at the popular ways of decorating pillows and analyze them step by step.

Color selection

First of all, you need to decide on a color scheme. Covers can be plain, variegated, or combine a moderate number of shades (two or three), selected according to the principles of analogy (ombre effect) or contrast. The latter option can be easily implemented in modular cases, the two parts of which are not sewn together, but connected by an insert. The shade must be selected based on the color scheme of the room in general and the furniture in particular. If textile decor should become bright accent on a calm palette of the interior, then catchy colors are chosen: red, orange, yellow, green. Shiny golden, bronze, and silver cases that are covered with continuous rows of sequins will look stylish and original. If the pillow is just a neutral touch, then choose a calm shade: white, gray, blue, pink, brown, pastel colors. For outdoor decor (patio, gazebo, garden bench) choose more natural colors. For example, covers of crimson and brown tones with color gradation are in perfect harmony with the autumn landscape. They are complemented by a checkered blanket, picturesquely laid out on a bench, and now it’s ready cubby outdoors for reading a book with a cup of hot tea.

The patchwork technique, or patchwork, as it is sometimes called, allows you to create unusual decor from old things. These cushion covers will look homely and cute, but will only suit country-style interiors. For the work you will need pieces of fabric of different colors, decorated with ornaments and images. They are cut into squares of the same size, which are calculated from the parameters of the future pillowcase and the expected number of segments. These pieces are then sewn to each other to form strips. They are also connected to each other, resulting in a finished canvas.

Using the patchwork technique, you can not decorate the entire pillowcase, but only a separate part of it. For example, a combination of scraps of fabric with a variegated checkered pattern on one half will be organically combined with embroidery on a plain burlap on the second.

Application

The appliqué technique involves sewing individual pieces of fabric onto a canvas so that the result is a picture. The decoration method is somewhat similar to putting together a puzzle. The master has a large number of parts that need to be put together. The application is:

• Flat. This simple technique, in which pieces of fabric are applied to the cover and sewn completely.
• Volumetric. A more complex technique, which is characterized by the presence of convex elements. For example, on a ballerina’s dress there are flounces, ruffles and bows with ribbons. Sometimes, to get additional volume, a soft filler is placed under a piece of fabric.

When working with fabric, “reverse” appliqué is encountered. A detail is cut out on the pillowcase cover according to the template. The edges must be stitched. Preferably by typewriter. Then a similar part is cut out from a piece of another fabric and sewn on the wrong side. It is best to work with a template prepared in advance.

Printing on fabric can be ordered in specialized salons, which, using special equipment, will accurately transfer the image onto the material. However, you can design a pillow cover yourself. You can try to transfer an image using a hot iron from a regular photograph, but the result will be dull and short-lived. It is much easier to work with a set of markers or spray paints and stencils. Drawings, as a rule, are chosen to be laconic, since only a master artist can display complex color transitions. The fabric must be laid out on a flat horizontal surface. For reliability, it is better to secure it with pins or press down the edges with something heavy. The area that should remain untouched is isolated using masking tape or cling film. Now apply the stencil and secure it. You can start coloring the image.

Lace

Covers with lace look very gentle and touching. This “feminine” option is perfect for shabby chic, Provence and blends seamlessly into children's bedrooms for newborns. As a rule, only a separate part of the cover is decorated with thin lace: a strip in the center, on one side, or paired openwork ribbons that “close” a neat pattern in the middle. Due to its special sophistication, this decoration is combined with covers in pastel shades. Contrast is appropriate in double pillowcases. They are sewn from a bottom plain layer of regular fabric and a top lace layer. This piece can be knitted by hand using a crochet hook and special yarn.

Knitted pillowcases

Knitted pillowcases bring warmth and comfort to the interior. To work, you will need yarn (about 500 grams for a medium-sized case), buttons, knitting needles or a crochet hook. We must not forget that natural threads will shrink a lot after washing. To prevent the pillowcase from becoming too small for the pillow, it is better to use mixed yarn. Mass knitting technique. Some prefer the laconic “braids” and “bumps” that are usually used to decorate homemade sweaters, while others prefer complex “web” patterns and, again, the patchwork technique, but in a slightly different guise. A pillowcase can be made from separately crocheted (usually crocheted) scraps of yarn of different colors. To keep the cover closed, they use buttons rather than zippers that blend seamlessly with the yarn.

Embroidery

The cover can be decorated with continuous embroidery or only part of it can be decorated. For the first option, the techniques of embroidery with threads (floss), cross and half-cross (tapestry) are suitable. You need to work either with burlap or with regular fabric on which the canvas is fixed. After the embroidery is completed, it is unraveled along the thread. For partial decoration, embroidery with ribbons, chenille or work using the satin stitch technique is suitable.

We use old clothes

Wonderful pillowcases are made from old jeans, shirts and sweaters. In the last two cases, the sleeves and lower part of the garment are cut off, leaving only the collar and the “chest” piece of fabric. There is no need to cut a shirt or sweater along the seam. The second part will become the back side of the case. Then the remains of the shirt are sewn together on both sides. A zipper is sewn to the bottom. The upper part, on which the collar is, is additionally decorated with a piece of fabric previously cut from the bottom to cover the empty neck. This detail can be sewn to the back of the shirt and simply smoothed out, since the seam on the front side will not look very aesthetically pleasing. You can put a scarf in the breast pocket. Covers are sewn from jeans using the same principle, only both legs are cut off.

There is nothing easier than sewing cat pillows with your own hands. Pillows in the house perform several functions: they make the house more comfortable, decorate it and serve as armrests and headrests. Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with store-bought ones, but with hand-sewn cat pillows it’s quite possible. Sew or knit to your taste interesting pillows and stencils, you are quite capable.

It’s very nice to lie on the sofa, relax, and soak up some love with your pet. And when he’s not around (someone needs to hunt), a beautiful pillow with cat symbols will be a pleasant reminder. Probably the easiest way is to draw a cat on fabric.

Although, there are other ways to make a bright pillow, for example, deliberately choose a fabric of variegated colors and cut out details from it.

Or choose a material and take it to a workshop that specializes in thermal transfer printing - they will “draw” what you want, and you will also cut out details from this canvas and make something unusual and creative.

Still, it's nice to do something yourself. Stencils are perfect for this type of pillow. The drawing can be done with acrylic paints or special ones for textiles.

You can also make stencils yourself from scratch, or a complex design with some details on thick paper, or take a ready-made drawing. For cutting, you should use a stationery knife; carry out the process itself by placing the sheet with the pattern on a wooden cutting board or a sheet of plywood specially designated for this.

To get the desired drawing, you can do without printing it. Just transfer it onto paper or tracing paper directly from the monitor.

Made from fleece

We will need: a small piece of fleece of the desired color, a piece of light beige or milky felt, sewing threads to match the main fabric, holofiber, brown iris (or floss) threads, a fabric marker, needles, pins, scissors, lace, ribbons, buttons, beads to decorate your cat. Pattern with centimeter scale:

We are sewing two cats at once, so we have more details in the photo. We fold the fleece in half and transfer the pattern onto the fabric; this is very convenient to do with a disappearing fabric marker.

We sew our details on sewing machine along the contour, cut with an allowance of 0.5 cm.

We make an incision on one layer in the area and turn the body inside out. We also cut one layer of the tail at the top and turn it inside out.

We stuff the body and tail with holofiber.

We sew up the holes through which the cat and tail were stuffed with matching threads.

We mark it with a disappearing marker and embroider the face with iris or floss threads.

We try our muzzle on the cat’s body, closing the stitched cut, and fix it with pins. Using a seam over the edge, we sew the muzzle with threads to match the felt.

We try on and sew the tail with a hidden seam so that the cat can lean on it and stand on its own.

That's all, the cat is ready.

All that remains is to decorate it as you wish - with bows, braid, flowers, skirts, buttons - whatever your imagination suggests! Look, here's how different cats can be:

Sleeping cat

A cat in the house can most often be found on the sofa or in an armchair. She's a sleeper. Let's try to sew a decorative pillow with a sleeping cat's face. This looks so much like her.
For work we will need:

1. A piece of fabric (color as desired).
2. Threads, scissors.
3. Pattern.
4. Disappearing fabric marker.
5. Non-woven fabric.

We select fabric for the future pillow, the choice of which is unlimited. It all depends on what exactly you have on hand at the moment. Any type of fabric is suitable for living rooms; for a children's room, a pillow can be made from old children's things with a funny pattern.

We transfer the pattern of the main part onto the fabric using a disappearing marker.

We cut out the part, leaving approximately one centimeter for allowances. Now we transfer the pattern of the main part to the non-woven fabric, trace it and cut it along the contour. We do the same with the second part of the part, we make it from fleece. We make a pattern for the legs, tail and ears and cut them out. It is also necessary to duplicate parts.

Using an iron, we glue one part of the main part with the interlining. Now let's take everything small parts: paws, tail and ears, fold them in pairs front side. After this, we grind each part down on a machine along the edge, leaving a small hole for stuffing. We process all the edges of each part with zigzag scissors or do it with regular scissors. After this, turn it right side out and stuff it with any filling, and sew up the holes using a zigzag stitch.

All the parts are ready, which means we need to sew them to the main part. To do this, we use pins and fix each part in the right place. Using a disappearing marker, draw a face on the pillow. Turn it over and place the fleece piece on top, sew it together, leaving room for filling. Turn it right side out, straighten and smooth all the seams well. The pillow can now be stuffed to the desired density with any stuffing; we sew up the hole. Now we sew on the paws, for this we use buttons. We embroider the muzzle with floss threads dark color. The cat pillow is ready; if desired, you can decorate it with a bow, heart and other applique. On such things the drawing made acrylic paint.

Give your cat a gift - a “Sleeping Cat” pillow. It looks just great on the sofa, but guests also like this one, so it can be a great handmade gift.

You can decorate the neck with a bow or hang a medallion on it - there will be a cat with decoration. The pillow will look great on your sofa!

Description of the work process:

Knitted

You can knit cute sofa pillows with your own hands. All over the world, things made by hand are valued. Things keep the warmth of the hands of the person who made them.

These are the original sofa pillows in the form of knitting needles.

For work we will need:

1. Knitting needles of medium thickness.
2. Any threads, leftover threads (you can take threads of two colors and combine them).
3. White threads for paws.
4. Synthetic padding for stuffing pillows, hands and feet.
5. Two buttons for the eyes, a piece of fabric for the nose.

We knit either two squares, or a rectangle, which, when we fold it, will turn into a square. The size of the pillow can be any, the smallest is 35/35 centimeters, you can make it larger. The paws are approximately 28 centimeters. How many loops to cast on: knit a little on the knitting needles and look at the number of loops in 1 cm. Multiply by 35 cm.

Knitting pattern

Option 1: stockinette stitch.

• Row 1 - knit only,
• Row 2 - purl only.

Option 2: confusion.

• Row 1 - knit - purl - knit - purl, etc.
• Row 2 - purl - knit - purl - knit, so that the knit is always above the purl, and vice versa.

The front and back paws and tail are knitted using stockinette stitch. We knit the required length, first we make decreases (we knit two loops together and tighten the rest with thread).

On the other side, we knit the paws: we knit three from each loop with white threads to make a white paw. You don’t have to stuff the length, but stuff the hand and foot with synthetic padding and embroider the fingers. We decorate the face with applique. We sew the pillow, leaving a slot for the padding polyester. We stitch the ears and stuff them with padding polyester. The cat is ready.

Children's

You can even sleep with such a toy, which is what children love so much. The cat pillow is very easy to sew. The pattern is elementary. You can make this craft together with your child.

Necessary materials:

1. Fabric in two colors (you can use more if you want to make the cat-pillow even more original).
2. Threads.
3. Needles.
4. Sintepon, cotton wool or granules for stuffing.
5. Pieces for eyes, nose and mustache.

Pattern

Those elements that are cut out in duplicate are made by folding the fabric in half, face to face. Cut out, making seam allowances. We sew the parts together, leaving small holes for stuffing. First of all, we sew the body, the head, then we sew the paws, tail, and ears to it. Using colored scraps, we make eyes, nose and mustache using the appliqué method.

In the video you will learn how to use a cat pillow.

Cat face

The materials we will need are:

1. Fabric in different colors, choose them by looking at our photographs, but you can improvise.
2. Threads.
3. Scissors.
4. Filler.

The eyes and nose can be embroidered, or you can make an applique.

• We cut out two parts each for the head, a heart for a smile, eyelids, an eye, and one part each for the lower part of the muzzle and nose.
• Let's draw a smile.
• Let's stitch it.
• Sew the top of the face to the bottom.
• We sew on the nose, eyes, cheeks, eyelids in the form of an applique - we decorate the face.
• You can also do this in the form of embroidery.
• Draw the pupils with white paint or corrector.
• We do the same with the spout.
• Sew the two parts of the head together, leaving a hole for the filling.
• We fill the cat with padding polyester or other filler.
• Our unusual DIY gift is ready! We think it will bring a lot of joy!

Sewing pillows with your own hands means not only saving on bedding, but also decorating your interior and giving it individuality using simple and inexpensive means. Looking at photos of homemade pillows on the Internet, it may seem that this requires a lot of experience or innate talent. But the same problems can be solved much more simply, and certainly, when sewing pillows, it is possible to go from simple to complex, ultimately creating things worthy of prizes at amateur art exhibitions. This article is intended to help readers overcome several stages of this path.

What you need to know right away

It is not always possible to sew original pillows as simple sleeping pillows, in the form of a base and a pillowcase. That's why Special attention You need to pay attention to the choice of fabric and padding. The pillow is conducive to sleep, and someday someone will fall asleep on it. Probably tired, with unwashed and unkempt hair: when your eyes are stuck together, there is no time to look at beauty, it would be a good place to lay your head. That is, the covering fabric should not only accept finishing well, but also be cleanable. And the best thing is that the stuffing can be removed and the cover washed without spoiling its decor. In addition, the filling itself should maintain hygienic qualities, elasticity and be moderately pliable for as long as possible. We will return to materials for pillows that meet these requirements, but for now we will discuss ways to decorate them from simple to complex, keeping in mind the above.

Methods for decorating pillows

Colors

The easiest way to sew decorative pillows in the same way as regular sleeping pillows is to choose the color of the fabric. And the simplest of all simple solution– several pillows of different colors, forming an ensemble that fits into the interior. In this way, you can not only turn a cocotte’s boudoir into something like a soft fluffy cloud, but also express the individuality of laconic interior styles. This kind of work, I must say, is mentally very difficult, but technologically and financially elementary. For example, on the left in Fig. It’s no wonder that a sofa with a composition of pillows is placed against the backdrop of a window (painting?) with living greenery contrasting with the overall tone, and a flower in a vase is placed to the right of the sofa.

In the center in Fig. a method based on similar aesthetic principles, but not requiring a laconic interior and special organization of the placement of its objects. The point here is that the background of the furniture upholstery and the cushion cover is the same, as is the tone and density of the pattern in both, but the designs of the patterns are slightly different. And the pillow is highlighted wide, the so-called. French, edging, the same as the general background, but of a darker color; The color is slightly lighter on the lower and side parts of the furniture upholstery.

Finally, on the right in Fig. shows a way to give a pillow, by choosing the color of the fabric, what is said to be aesthetic self-sufficiency, i.e. the ability to express the meaning inherent in it by the craftswoman in any environment. Imagine such a pillow in... a garbage dump. Will she look worse there? And the point here is not only and not so much in the choice of 2-3, no more, catchy colors that make up a fairly large pattern, but also in the arrangement of stylized images of flowers on the visible surface of the thing.

Applications and printing

Decorating pillows with appliqués can be just a little more technically difficult, but no less expressive. Here, as before. In this case, the key to success is the artistic taste of the author and, preferably, the combination of at least 2 things into an ensemble, and, unlike the use of colors, its meaning can be absolutely clear to the point of frivolity, as on the left in the row of photos, but obscenity is morally healthy a person will see in this composition no more than in a normal marital relationship.

An expanded multi-valued composition of pillows with appliqués is technically more difficult to execute, and there is a risk of running into flickering. However, these days, photo printing on fabric is affordable, and the images are durable and of the same quality that the texture of the material allows. So, when considering a multi-pillow group with pictures, first of all it is worth considering the option of photo printing on blanks, in the center in the figure, especially since you can select/create pictures and model the entire ensemble in advance on a computer.

Note: Modern technology of photo printing on fabric allows you to create images that are visually equivalent to embroidery. Flaps with printed pictures can also form the basis of an applique, on the right in Fig.

Form and fragment

Majority good designers prefers to work with form, considering it the root cause of the expressiveness of things, and color, texture and design/pattern as factors of the next orders of magnitude. One-, two-, or three-tone sofa cushions, the aesthetic value of which is achieved by the form, can also be technologically simple (item 1 in the figure) thanks to the use of modern materials, see below.

Working with form, it becomes possible to apply a new approach to meaningful decoration of a thing: modularity, poses. 2. Technologically, in this case, labor intensity only monotonically increases without the emergence of fundamental difficulties, because All modules assembled into the product are structurally similar and simple. But in such cases, you need to think about how to clean it, unless you want to completely redo it at least once every 1-2 years. A furniture vacuum cleaner and cleaning products for it are understandable, but it is necessary to use them less often.

The modular principle also allows, without a significant increase in labor intensity, to create sewn items of simple shape, in which the form nevertheless works for aesthetics. This is the so-called. patchwork technique; simply patchwork. Patchwork is not necessarily something deliberately rough, rough, or even tacky.

Decorative pillows using the patchwork technique can be sewn gracefully and neatly without agonizing thoughts and looking at samples/sketches until it hurts your eyes, poses. 3 and 4. You only need a key element (mainly in the center), which is in harmony with the overall design of the thing, but also stands out in some way. At pos. 3 this is achieved by a pattern of the same tone, but much larger than that of the elements of one diagonal and at the same time, naturally, smaller than the solid color filling of the squares of the other. And at pos. The 4th key, on the contrary, is distinguished by its shape, small size and relief (convexity).

Key element

In general, a compact key element(s) can add elegance to a pillow made in any technique. For example, at pos. 1 pic., the key is a simple button combined with a turn of scraps of fabric with a trivial black and white geometric pattern, right down to scraps of an old mattress. In case of using a brighter and more colorful material instead of a button, covered with fabric, Maybe, would be better suited button with round gathered bow, pos. 4.

At pos. 2 tassels and a button elevate pillows made of modestly colored fabric. This approach is attractive because it is possible to use furniture upholstery and even technical fabrics that do not get dirty easily, are easy to clean, but are not bright and shiny. And at pos. 3 is an example of how brushes add aesthetic value to a pillow with a pattern that is too small for this purpose. Perhaps the larger pattern somehow didn’t fit into the overall design, but the pillow still needed decorative self-sufficiency, so the brushes came to the rescue.

Note: a single brush on the corner of the pillow can play, without losing its aesthetic value, a purely utilitarian role, hiding the last seam, see below. In this case, it can be successfully replaced with a pompom. How to make a brush and pompom with your own hands, see next. Fig., but in general, you need to be careful with tassels and pom-poms as numerous elements of the main decoration of pillows, see below.

Lace, knitting and embroidery

All these methods of decorating pillows (see fig.) have in common that things, on the one hand, are labor-intensive and difficult to perform (unless ready-made lace or organdy is used). On the other hand, lace and knitted cushions for the sofa provide not only a magnificent aesthetic effect, but also respect and prestige: complex, high-quality work speaks for itself. Moreover, all such things are cleaned and washed many times: people have been weaving lace and knitting for centuries; Both skills are quite adapted to washing much more harshly than in a modern washing machine with synthetic detergents.

In knitted ones sofa cushions there is one more advantage: they mask the last seam without any difficulty, see below. And, by the way, thanks to this same circumstance, knitted decorative pillows can be very simple to make if you sew them from old sweaters, as on the right in Fig.

About knitwear

Knitwear as a material for covering a pillow retains all the advantages of knitted items, incl. the ability to conduct a hidden facial seam. It also has its own special advantages. Firstly, the softness of the surface - wool sometimes “bites” the face, and knitting from mohair or down is more difficult. Secondly, accessibility: who hasn’t had to wonder what to do with the sweaters and blouses of a grown child? Stuff it with holofiber (see below), sew up the armholes, embellish it a little - and in an hour and a half a good original pillow is ready from scrap materials, see fig. Will it fit in the living room? general design, but as a pillow for a nursery it will be quite in its place. You can also sleep on it without risking button marks on your cheek: you turn it over, and that’s it.

About embroidery on pillows

For those who know how to embroider, a pillow is a beneficial canvas in all respects, see figure:

If you want to embroider across the entire field, you will need a special frame-shaped hoop; the canvas in it is stretched (unfolded) with harsh threads. Drawing, pattern - everything here is at your discretion and skill, but there are some features compared to embroidery of other things:

1. There is no need to embroider with beads, it will be unhygienic and inconvenient. It is impossible to completely remove dirt particles from the holes in the beads using any known methods of cleaning pillows, and lying down on the beaded surface is also not very pleasant;
2. Cross stitch: satin stitch embroidery under the head/body quickly gets dirty and slips, and wrinkles when washed;
3. When embroidering across the entire field, make a continuous wide edging: it is just as easy to hide the last seam in it as in a knitted pillow.

Relief

Relief decor: fringe, bows, frills, puffs, intarsia, weaving, voluminous appliqués (stripes), quilting, etc., etc., see fig. – widely used for finishing pillows, because allows you to achieve stunning aesthetic effects. However, when starting your first (or next) masterpiece, keep in mind, firstly, that creating beauty using the “I want a lot of everything!” And more!”, is wrong in principle. You need to understand what you feel, what you want, and express it through the means available to you. Which do not necessarily have to be sophisticated and intricate.

Secondly, remember - you are not the trusted seamstress of the Marquise of Pompadour or the Countess deMoncero. The beauty you created with your own hands is unspeakable and you have to wash it once. And the point is not only whether this thing can withstand washing, but also whether the machine can withstand washing such a thing. Not so, the hour is uneven, you will have to master interesting ones, but not simple ways repairs washing machines. The fringe with tassels can still be torn off and sewn on again, but for a stained, labor-intensive pom-pom pillow, it’s hard to think of anything better than throwing it away and making a new one. If you have enough spirit for it after such an opportunity.

However, dissuading people from striving for beauty is pointless, and even unbecoming. So about every case in Fig. above - 2 ways to make roses from felt or cotton pads. If necessary, such flowers can be easily removed and then sewn on again. Or simply make new ones to replace worn ones.

And in Fig. on the right - advice about bows: take as a basis the same principle of laconicism, it will never let you down, and make simple bows so that you can untie and tie them for caring for the pillow. That pillow is made of burlap, but does it look good?

About buffs

Puffs on a suitable fabric, smooth and glossy, are another matter. When done correctly, they can be vacuumed and hand washed without any problems. And making all this splendor is not as difficult as it seems. First you need to learn how to read the diagrams for assembling puffs (assembling them, as sewing makers say).

As an example, diagrams for assembling simple puffs are shown in Fig. below. All puff patterns are built on an orthogonal-diagonal grid, the module of which (the side of the square) is 2-7 cm, depending on the size of the product and the density of the fabric. The grid in the diagram can be shown explicitly, as on the right in the figure, or its nodes can only be marked with dots, as on the left. The mesh is applied to the back of the workpiece with a textile marker in a mirror image.

Further, areas that are contracted (collected, assembled) into a buffer are marked either with converging arrows (on the left) or red lines (on the right), and those that are not contracted are marked with simple thin lines. The puffs can be assembled either with one thread or separately. The first method is for the lazy, because... a web of threads is formed from the inside. In any case, each puff is assembled with at least 3 stitches 4-5 mm wide, unless otherwise indicated in the notes to the pattern.

Then, the assembly sequence. It is produced in horizontal or vertical rows, again, unless otherwise indicated in the description of the pattern. In the case where the rows are indicated explicitly (on the left), they are displayed in numbering order and the buffs in the row are also assembled by numbers; here – Row 1 1-2, 3-4, etc., then Row 2 and so on. In the absence of an explicit indication of the rows (on the right), the puffs are assembled simply in numerical order; according to the diagram on the right - 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, etc.

Try to assemble any scrap of fabric into puffs according to these entry-level patterns, and you will see that it will take little time, even if you assemble one at a time. And then watching a selection of master classes on making pillows with puffs that are much more spectacular and complex won’t seem like a nightmare:

Video: DIY buffalo pillows, master classes

About figurine pillows

The principle “You don’t need a lot of things! And simpler!” It is especially appropriate in relation to decorative pillows, which work aesthetically primarily through form. They are often sewn using patterns for soft toys, forgetting that a sewn cat does not know how to wash its own tail. And he will have to take on not only room dust, but also grease. Perhaps, especially when it comes to children's pillows, there are, so to speak, volley emissions of pollutants of biogenic origin.

In addition, they not only jump and ride on children's pillows; They not only fight and throw them around, they also sleep on them. And sleeping with your head askew, with your head slid to one side, is in no way beneficial to your developing skeleton. This especially needs to be taken into account when sewing a children's toy pillow; For example, we give the patterns in Fig.

On the left is a fish pillow. The shape and execution technique seem to have been chosen correctly: it is quite easy to care for, the last seam can be covered with a tail or fins. But the sleeper’s head may slide to one side, the shoulder will follow it and it will turn out that we are sleeping hunched over. The owl pillow, top right, is free from this drawback: the “ears” will hold. For those who toss and turn a lot in their sleep, it is better to place such a pillow with a deflection between the “ears” towards the neck; This pattern can easily be adapted for a cat pillow, only without the tail. In both versions, it is advisable to make the cut diagonal for better ergonomics as a sleeping accessory, see below.

Note: for children - irrepressible sleepy fidgeters - below right is a pattern of a special pillow on which the child automatically learns to sleep on his back or on his side, stretched out freely.

Pillows in the form of letters (see figure) have moved even closer from pillows to soft toys than pillows-figures: there are a lot of holes in them, where to sleep. It is believed that letter pillows are educational, developing, etc. Well, perhaps to coordinate movements and orientation in space, to climb between them large, like in a maze. As for the speedy learning of literacy, this has not yet been confirmed by science. However, no harm was noted from pillows in the form of letters, and the fun for the child is already a benefit for him.

Large letter pillows must hold their shape well and withstand the appropriate operating conditions, in relation to which small users show amazing ingenuity. One of the design options of this kind is shown in Fig.:

Foam rubber 45 is furniture foam rubber of the highest density; We’ll talk about what holofiber is below. Of course, other methods of sewing letter pillows are also possible, see for example. next video.

Note: diagram in fig. It is also suitable for stuffing bolster pillows, if it is desirable to have their ends rounded.

Video: do-it-yourself letter pillows, manufacturing option

About puzzle pillows

Pillows in the form of elements of prefabricated Puzzle mosaic paintings are also quite popular. It is believed that, if necessary, they can be assembled into a mattress. It is possible to collect something, yes, then yes. But anyone who has tried to sleep on such a mattress knows: it is impossible, it is crawling under you. Pillows, unlike puzzle pieces, are soft and pliable, otherwise you’ll end up with some kind of bunks instead of pillows.

Materials and technology

We will not expand on the fact that when sewing you need to give cuffs of 20-30 mm, iron them, sew from the inside out and then turn the product inside out, etc., which is well known. In this section we will talk about things that are not always known to beginning seamstresses.

Textile

To properly sew a pillow without a pillowcase that is comfortable, hygienic, practical and durable, you need to choose the right fabric. Firstly, dirt particles should not stick to its fibers so that they can be sucked out with a vacuum cleaner without the use of detergents. Secondly, the covering fabric should, as far as possible, prevent dirt from migrating into the padding, which is difficult to clean and change. Silk, satin, crepe-satin and their synthetic analogues satisfy these conditions of light, smooth and bright textile materials. Light but soft - calico, flannel and other linen fabrics. Rough, but very durable - any furniture upholstery materials. Also, depending on the style of execution, it is possible to use any technical fabrics, except, perhaps, propylene matting and the like - too slippery, but at the same time rough and harsh.

Warp and weft

When cutting a pillow, the orientation of the warp and weft threads of the fabric matters. Orthogonal (straight) orientation, when the warp and weft are oriented perpendicularly (along) respectively. sides, allows you to more accurately maintain the shape of the pillow according to the pattern. But, if the pillow is straight cut with sharp corners is filled with fairly dense material, its corners may be empty and sag, pos. 1 in Fig.

In pillows with a diagonal cut (the warp and weft are at 45 degrees to the sides), the corners will always be full, but a “waist” will appear that is larger than provided by the pattern, pos. 2. If the pillow is elongated, the thinnest “waist” will be on the long sides, pos. 3, which is not always desirable. In this case, the use of satin or twill weave fabric, pos. 4.

Padding

However, feather/down filling is, firstly, not elastic enough to decorative pillows, they are not fluffed like sleeping ones, because of the rapid deterioration of the finish from such treatment. Secondly, small soft feathers and natural down for filling pillows are difficult to obtain. In the old days, the whole family collected feathers and down for years for the future bride for her wedding feather bed (an indispensable attribute of the dowry).

Nowadays, almost ideal stuffing materials for pillows have been developed - synthetic down and holofiber. In terms of hygiene, they are not inferior to swan's down; however, not for the lifetime of generations, but up to 7-10 years. On the other hand, the decor of the pillow no longer lives. But these materials have an undoubted advantage: they are moderately elastic and retain this quality for years.

In essence, synthetic down and holofiber are the same material based on the finest tangled polyester fibers; This is the same polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that food utensils and bottles are made from. Synthetic fluff is produced in the form of fluffy granules (on the left in the figure), and holofiber undergoes additional molding and goes on sale in sheets (plates), on the right there.

Sheet holofiber keeps its shape as well as the best furniture foam rubber. By the way, in letter pillows (see above) you can make the entire base from it, but it will not be cheap: sheet holofiber is much more expensive than foam rubber, and the waste of material in this case is large. But where sheet holofiber is indispensable is in the manufacture of cloud pillows and other complex irregular shape: the workpiece needs to be trimmed with scissors, and then covered with fabric in place without a pattern.

Another filling material that is particularly suitable for baby pillows is rounded silicone beads. They don't get wet, that's it. Two - silicone granules can be poured into the case through an armhole only 2-4 cm wide, which greatly simplifies the problem of the last seam. Three - the cover from them can be emptied through the same armhole, and the granules can be washed manually in a basin. In a car - under no circumstances, it will fail instantly! Washed and dried silicone granules can be put back into the same case; the pillow will be the same as before.

Note: All of the above regarding the sanitary and hygienic properties of silicone granules does not apply to polystyrene foam granules that fill frameless furniture.

The last seam...

...he is the most difficult. You probably already guessed that this is the same seam that needs to be sewn up from the face when the pillow is already turned out and stuffed. It is usually recommended to sew in a zipper in advance for this purpose. In relation to, say, a pear chair or other frameless furniture, this is truly the best option.

But the pillow does not have a bottom or a back, on which people never sit, sleep, or lean on them, and there is no point in waking up with the imprint of a fastener on your cheek under any circumstances. As for the stronger sex, a pillow with a zipper can cling to their mustache, beard and just 3-5 day stubble. The pillow stuck to the person harmonizes perfectly with the rumpled face, but only in a comic sense.

With knitted, knitted and embroidered pillows with piping there is no problem at all if the thread for the last seam is taken to match the material of the face: stitches of only 1-2 mm in this case are completely pulled into it and turn out to be quite durable. Good options are also a solid narrow textile edging in a color that matches the overall color, see picture, lace or ruffled border, trim, etc. However universal solution the last seam - a narrow, 2-4 cm, armhole in the corner. Through it, you can stuff the pillow with synthetic down or silicone granules, and disguise the front seam with a brush or pom-pom. If necessary, synthetic fluff is pulled out in shreds using a crochet hook. At first, the silicone granules are simply squeezed out like paste from a tube, and the remainder is removed from the inside-out case.

About seamless pillows

Representatives of nomadic professions and residents of student dormitories from the pre-Khrushchev era have long been familiar with such things. A beautiful scarf allows you to make decorative seamless pillows in just minutes; the base can be either an ordinary pillow, a piece of foam rubber cut to shape, or just a wad of rags. How this magnificent illustration of the saying “The need for invention is cunning” is created is shown in the figure:

You can tie a curly knot or straighten its ends into a socket and grab it with threads; however, this would be a formal violation of the “seamless” principle. In this case, something like the rosette described above will also fit in the center.

In conclusion: form functionality