While in Walmart recently, I picked up a couple yards of the new Pioneer Woman fabric. It’s sold in pre-cut and packaged lengths of one and three yards and fat quarter collections. It’s pretty inexpensive at about $7/yard. Quilt store fabric is currently around $11-15/yard. The quality of the PW fabric is not as good as quilt store fabric – it does have flaws and pills. But for this project, it’s fine.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to make crochet edging, and I thought this would be a good time to learn. It’s definitely fun. I’ve had to go back and get more fabric!
I thought it might be nice to put together a little post about my pillow-making process. Because once I stop making them I’ll forget everything. Haha!
First: pillow inserts.
I used pillow forms to stuff all of my pillows. The forms themselves are not expensive, between $5-10 each from what I’ve seen. I really like the 20″x20″ IKEA down-filled pillow forms. Those are so nice and weighty. I bought an 18″x18″ insert at Hobby Lobby (above picture). I also had an extra king-sized pillow, and decided to cut it in half to make two pillows (and part of a third). I only recommend this option if you have a spare pillow or you’re looking to replace one. King-sized pillows are otherwise too expensive to source for pillows, even if you get two out of each.
Here’s what the king-sized pillow looks like cut in half. Look at this weird foam insert in the middle! I used this in another pillow I made for the guest room. I had to decrease the stuffing a bit because they were tooooo puffy! None of the stuffing was wasted.
Next: the crochet edge covers!
All of my pillow covers were made using the envelope method, so that the covers are removable for cleaning and I can change them out for holidays. It’s very fast and there are many tutorials online. You can decide how large the cover should be depending on your yardage. I like mine between 17″- 20″ square. A zipper is not needed for this style cover.
I stitched the envelope cover out of my pre-washed (the fabric did shrink) and starched fabric, and then I used a disappearing ink fabric marker to mark out spacing (with a ruler) around the edge for my blanket stitching. The ink disappears fast here in the high humidity. I like to go about 3/8″ to 1/4″ in from the edge and 3/8″ apart. I then used a large needle (mine is called a ‘sail’ needle, and it has wings and came on a card with lots of big needles) and pre-pierced the fabric all around the edge. You can see the holes above. The piercing goes all the way through both layers. Sometimes the piercing caused the fabric to run a little, but that didn’t bother me.
I used a large needle to blanket stitch all the way around, into those same holes, using yarn. Stitching around the edge creates a base for the crochet. I avoided cutting giant lengths of stitching yarn in order to keep it from getting stripped and fuzzy from the fabric drag. It gets fuzzier as the stitching gets further on.
Other methods of construction will crochet the base right on, through the pierced holes, but my crochet hook is too big/yarn too large for this method. Some people use a skip rotary blade for this method. (check YouTube).
Once the blanket stitching is done, I used this exact tutorial on YouTube. I’m a beginner in regards to crochet and I found it very easy to follow. I just re-learned crochet when I began to make these covers. I first picked up the skill about 30 years ago from my grandma, but haven’t made anything since then. So, I don’t know anything about hook sizes, types of yarn, etc. I just choose with my heart.
Crochet is so relaxing, honestly. It’s also a great project to do while watching TV at night, maybe even while on a road trip. I’m planning on creating a few more for Christmas decorating. They take up almost no room while flat. I will store out-of-season covers in my closet on clippy pant hangers.
The crochet edge is fun and I really loved doing these pillows. Maybe I’ll even try a new pattern if I can find a good tutorial! I can’t read crochet patterns quite yet.
Look at this living room. Who wouldn’t want an extra cute pillow or five? And don’t say your man because he’s not invited. <3
Here’s a picture of the guest room with the larger pillow. The bed in there is a king-size. It’s not a good bed, by any means, but what lacks in depth it makes up for in size.
That’s all can think of right now! If you’re reading this and have any questions about crochet, yarn, hooks, stitches, you will probably want to ask a more knowledgeable source, but I can try to help! I’m just starting out and still very much learning. Best wishes on your pillow making journey! It will be soooo fun! <3, Cristin
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