Chevron Pillow: A Tutorial

For my second tutorial, I present to you a decorative pillow. This design popped into my head when I was trying to fall asleep a few nights ago, so I decided to practice my tutorial writing skills with it. There are so many excellent pillow tutorials out there and I hope my Chevron Pillow will be counted among them.

Before I get started, I want to mention that, unless you’re making a cover for an existent pillow or a pillow form, pillow making is super simple. As I made this pillow, I figured out sizes as I went. I didn’t have to worry about making sure it fit a predetermined set of measurements. I took the fabric I had on hand and let it dictate the pillow’s size and shape.

That being said, I will go ahead and list the measurements for this pillow, but feel free to experiment and mix it up.

Supplies Needed
Main fabric – 2 pieces, 15″ x 19″
Coordinating fabric for chevron stripes – a fat eighth
Bias strips for piping – 2″ x 65″
Cotton piping cord – 65″
Poly-fil – one 12 oz. bag should do

Step 1
This may be a bit of a cop out, but why reinvent the wheel? I learned how to make these chevron stripes from the Make it Do blog. Cut your fat eighth fabric into three 3″x18″ strips, follow the instructions in Calli’s tutorial Crazy for Zig Zags, and then come back here for step 2.

Step 2
Using a ruler, place your first chevron stripe 3″ from one of the long edges of a main fabric piece. That means that the “mountains” of the chevron stripes are 3″ from the edge. Pin the stripe in place. Place your second chevron stripe 1.5″ from the first one and pin in place. Place the third chevron stripe 1.5″ from the second one and pin in place. This should leave 3″ below the “valleys” of the third chevron stripe.

Step 3
Sew the chevron stripes in place by top-stiching close the their edges, pivoting at each point.

Step 5
Connect pieces of bias strip by cutting a 45 degree angle on one short end of each strip. Overlap the angled ends so that you make little overhanging triangles of 1/4″. Sew a 1/4″ seam. Press the seam flat and trim excess fabric. Continue until you have 65″ of bias strips.
Make a 1″ fold on one short end and press. Fold the bias strip lengthwise and place the end of the cording 1″ from the folded end. Pin the strip closed. Using a zipper foot to get close to the cording, begin 1″ from the folded edge and sew a 1/4″ seam along the length of the bias strip.

Step 6
Starting with the folded end of the piping, pin the piping to the pillow front. When you reach a corner, clip the seam allowance in order to ease the piping around. Match up the ends of the piping by trimming the excess and sliding it into the folded end. Using a zipper foot, stitch the piping in place.

Step 7
Pin the front of the pillow to the back, right sides together, and stitch. Be sure to leave a 5-6 inch opening unstitched.

Step 8
Stuff Poly-fil into the opening. Add as much or as little as you like.

Step 9
Pin and then slip stitch the opening closed.

Step 10
Enjoy!

There you go. A simple pillow design, but one that teaches the skill of adding piping to your pillow. There are endless varieties of pillows you can make, so have fun experimenting!

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