Sewing a pillow is one of the easiest sewing projects you can try, even if you’re just starting out!
With a few simple materials and basic straight stitches, you can create a soft, comfortable pillow in less than an hour.
This tutorial walks through the exact process step by step, from cutting the fabric to stuffing the pillow and closing the seam.
The example shown here uses a toddler pillow size, but you can easily adjust the measurements to create pillows for beds, couches, or travel.
Common Pillow Sizes You Can Sew
The pillow used in this tutorial is a toddler-size pillow, which works well for small children, travel, or compact bedding. The sewing method shown here is very flexible, so you can easily use the same steps to make pillows in other sizes.
Here are a few common pillow dimensions you might want to sew:
- Toddler pillow: 13 × 18 inches
- Travel pillow: 12 × 16 inches
- Standard pillow: 20 × 26 inches
- Queen pillow: 20 × 30 inches
- King pillow: 20 × 36 inches
To sew a pillow in any size, simply cut your fabric slightly larger than the finished pillow to allow room for seam allowances.
For example:
- A 13 × 18 inch toddler pillow would use fabric pieces cut to 14 × 19 inches.
In this tutorial, the fabric panels are cut to 14 × 21 inches, which creates a finished pillow close to 13 × 20 inches once sewn.
Materials You’ll Need
- Cotton fabric or muslin fabric
- Pillow stuffing (wool, polyester fiberfill, or cotton batting)
- Sewing machine (see my guide to top sewing machines perfect for beginners)
- Serger or overlock machine (optional but helpful)
- Matching thread
- Fabric scissors
- Measuring ruler or cutting mat
- Pins or clips
If you’re new to sewing, it also helps to become familiar with the essential sewing tools that make beginner projects much easier.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Sew a Simple DIY Pillow
Follow the steps below to cut the fabric, sew the pillow case, fill it with stuffing, and finish the pillow.
Step 1: Measure and Cut the Fabric Panels
Start by laying your fabric flat on a cutting mat.
Smooth it out with your hands so there are no folds, wrinkles, or bunching that could affect your measurements.
Using a quilting ruler, measure out two rectangles that are each 14 × 21 inches.
Once the ruler is lined up, use a rotary cutter to make clean, straight cuts along the edges.
Take your time with this step.
The straighter and more even your fabric pieces are, the easier it will be to line everything up later when you sew the pillow together.
If you end up with leftover fabric after cutting your panels, you can save the scraps for other creative projects like these genius scrap fabric projects.
Step 2: Sew the Zipper Onto One Long Side
Next, choose one long edge of the pillow where the zipper will go.
This zipper will create the opening for turning the pillow right side out and adding the wool filling later.
Lay one fabric panel with the right side facing up, then place the zipper along the edge.
After that, position the second fabric panel so the zipper is sandwiched between the two fabric edges.
Use a zipper foot on your sewing machine to stitch one side of the zipper in place, then sew the other side to the second fabric panel.
Make sure the zipper is sewn in evenly so it opens and closes smoothly.
Before moving on, check that both sides are attached securely and that the zipper lies flat.
This step joins the two fabric panels together along one side while also creating the pillow opening.
Step 3: Partially Open the Zipper Before Sewing the Rest
Before sewing the remaining sides, open the zipper partway.
This is a very important step. If the zipper is fully closed and you sew all the other sides shut, you won’t be able to turn the pillow right side out later.
Leaving the zipper partly open gives you a way to reach inside once the seams are finished.
Open it enough so you can easily get your hand through later, but not so much that the fabric becomes awkward to manage while sewing.
Step 4: Place the Fabric Right Sides Together and Align the Edges
Now that the zipper is installed, fold or arrange the fabric so the right sides of the pillow are facing each other on the inside.
Line up the remaining three raw edges carefully. The corners should match up as neatly as possible, and the zipper edge should stay aligned at the top.
Smooth the fabric flat with your hands and pin or clip the edges if needed. This helps keep the layers from shifting while you sew.
At this point, the pillow should look like a flat fabric rectangle with the zipper already sewn into one side and the other three sides ready to be stitched closed.
Step 5: Sew Around the Remaining Three Sides
Using a regular sewing machine, sew around the remaining three open sides of the pillow.
Use about a ½-inch seam allowance, which means the stitching line should sit about half an inch in from the raw edge of the fabric.
Start at one end of the pillow and sew slowly around the corners, keeping your seam line as even as possible.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seams to strengthen them.
Because the zipper is already installed, you do not need to leave an opening in the seam. The zipper will act as the opening for turning and stuffing the pillow.
Once this step is done, the pillow shape will be fully formed, but still inside out.
Step 6: Finish the Seams With a Serger
After the seams are sewn, finish the raw seam edges with a serger (also called an overlock machine).
Feed the seam allowances through the serger so the raw edges are trimmed and wrapped with thread.
This helps keep the fabric from fraying over time and gives the inside of the pillow a cleaner, more durable finish.
Work your way along the sewn edges until all of the raw seam allowances are neatly finished.
If you do not have a serger, you can use a zigzag stitch on a regular sewing machine instead.
Step 7: Turn the Pillow Right Side Out
Reach through the partially open zipper and carefully pull the pillow through to the right side.
As the fabric turns, use your fingers to gently push out the corners so they look crisp and fully shaped.
This part can take a little patience, especially if the fabric is thick, so go slowly and avoid pulling too hard on the seams.
Once the pillow is fully turned, smooth the outside with your hands so the seams settle into place and the rectangular shape becomes more defined.
Now you should be looking at the outside of the pillow, with the zipper opening accessible for filling.
Step 8: Fill the Pillow With Wool
Open the zipper fully and begin adding the wool stuffing through the opening.
Instead of pushing in one large clump at a time, pull apart small sections of wool with your hands first.
This helps the fibers stay fluffy and prevents the filling from becoming dense or lumpy inside the pillow.
Start by placing small amounts into the corners and along the edges. Then continue adding more wool to the center until the pillow feels evenly filled.
As you work, stop every so often to press and shape the pillow with your hands.
This helps spread the filling more evenly and keeps one side from becoming overstuffed while another side stays flat.
Keep filling until the pillow feels:
- soft
- evenly shaped
- supportive, but not overly stiff
Step 9: Zip the Pillow Closed and Shape It
Once the pillow is filled to your liking, zip the opening closed.
Then fluff and shape the pillow with your hands.
Press gently around the edges, smooth the corners, and redistribute the filling wherever needed so the pillow looks full and balanced.
If one area feels too flat, move some of the wool around from a fuller area until the shape looks even.
At this point, your pillow is complete and ready to use.
Try This DIY Pillow Project and Share Your Results
Sewing your own pillow is a quick and satisfying project that even beginners can tackle.
With just a few basic tools and some fabric, you can create a soft, comfortable pillow that works perfectly for toddlers, travel, or everyday use.
Once you’ve tried this project, you’ll see how easy it is to adjust the size, experiment with different fabrics, or try other natural fillings.
If you enjoy simple sewing projects like this, you might also like learning how to sew a Christmas fabric gift bag, which is another beginner-friendly sewing tutorial.
Have you made your own DIY pillow using this tutorial?
Leave a comment below and share your experience, tips, or questions.
I’d love to hear how your pillow turned out and what variations you tried.
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As the seasons pass and projects add up, those little paper patterns have a way of piling into drawers and baskets. And when you go to remake something, you end up searching instead of sewing.
That’s exactly why I created these Free Sewing Pattern Labels.
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In a few minutes, your patterns go from scattered to beautifully organized.
A small change that makes your sewing space feel calmer, clearer, and ready for your next project.
FAQs
How much filling do I need for a toddler pillow?
For a pillow around 13 × 20 inches, you will typically need 10 to 14 ounces of wool filling, depending on how firm you want the pillow to feel.
Can I use other types of pillow stuffing?
Yes. While this tutorial uses natural wool filling, you can also use other materials such as:
- Polyester fiberfill
- Cotton batting
- Shredded memory foam
Each option will create a slightly different level of firmness and support.
What fabric is best for sewing a pillow?
Breathable fabrics such as cotton, muslin, or linen work well for pillow inserts. These fabrics are durable, comfortable, and easy to sew.
Do I need a serger to make this pillow?
No, a serger is optional. A serger helps prevent the fabric edges from fraying and gives the seams a professional finish, but you can also use a zigzag stitch on a regular sewing machine if you do not have one.
