Sew a round pillow in 4 simple steps

Sewing a round pillow: a brilliant idea for your fabric scraps. With my tutorial and free pattern, even beginners can sew a round pillow cover in no time.

Key points at a glance

• In this post, you'll learn which fabrics are suitable for sewing pillows
• In the detailed photo tutorial, I show you how easily you can sew a round pillow
• I'll show you some basic sewing techniques that you should know for this project
• I also suggest variations you can use to modify the round pillow
• In the tutorial, you'll learn how to make your own pattern for round pillows of any size
• Plus, there is a free download of the pattern for the round pillow
• In the sewing video, I show you step-by-step how it's done
• Sewing level: Beginner
• Sewing time: 30 min.

Why should I sew a round pillow myself?

Simple: No one knows your taste as well as you do. Such a round pillow is not only quickly sewn – it also fits perfectly into your decor if you use colors and fabric scraps that match the color scheme.

And of course, homemade is always nicer (and usually muuuuuch cheaper) than store-bought, right?!

Of course, burrito pillowcases, pillows with an envelope closure, or pillowcases with a zipper have their charm, too. But a perfect round pillow like this is something truly special...

You can find even more tutorials for pillowcases here:

• Sewing a burrito pillowcase
• Sewing a Dresden plate pillow
• Sewing a pillowcase with an envelope closure
• Sewing a pillowcase with a zipper
• Sewing a pillowcase from denim scraps and buttons
• Sewing a pillowcase with a hot water bottle pocket
• Sewing a bunny pillow
• Sewing a heart pillow
• Sewing a pine pillow
• Sewing a grain pillow

Sewing round pillowcases is also a perfect gift idea, by the way. Especially when you consider the recipient's favorite colors when choosing the fabric.

Can I sew a pillow from fabric scraps as a beginner?

Yes, of course! This kind of pillow made from fabric scraps is a great project, especially for beginners. You only have to sew straight and slightly curved long seams – and if the seams aren't perfectly precise, no problem! Because of the gathers, you won't even notice.

The pillow is quick to sew, and you'll immediately have a sense of achievement that will inspire you to try further sewing projects.

Which fabrics can I use to sew the round pillow?

It is best to sew the perfect round pillow using woven fabric – i.e., fabric without any stretch. Light to medium-weight cotton fabrics are particularly well-suited.

Apparel fabrics like jersey and sweatshirt material are not very suitable, just as delicate fabrics like thin viscose or tulle.

Heavy or coarse fabrics like canvas or twill are difficult to gather and are not particularly soft, so they aren't great for your perfect round pillow.

In terms of fabric design, I like various patterned fabrics. The fabric pattern shouldn't be too large, otherwise, you won't really see it due to the gathers and the size of the fabric pieces. I used fabric scraps with various floral and paisley patterns to get a pretty vintage look.

If the pillow is intended for a nursery, try using different children's fabrics.

Fabric recommendations for the homemade pillow cover

You can easily sew the top and bottom of the pillow from different fabrics.

Here is a selection of fabrics that work well for the pillow:

• Woven cotton^* (e.g., chambray fabrics^* or Kokka fabrics^*)
• Cotton batiste^*: This fabric is firm and thin, feels a bit like silk, and is also popular for bed linen.)
• Muslin^*: This fabric is especially great for blankets. It's nice, light, and fluffy, but not too thin. Muslin can be woven in two layers, which is then called double gauze; it is a wonderfully fine, soft double weave that is spot-woven together. There is also triple gauze, which is firmer and thicker. However, there are differences here. The double gauze fabrics that remind one of cheesecloth are woven more loosely. For a blanket, the finer types are better suited. They are also great for clothing like blouses, skirts, and pants. Get more information here if you'd like to try sewing with muslin – it's worth it! :)
• Single jersey^*
• Interlock jersey^* (curls less than single jersey because it's double-knitted, which is cool for beginners!)
• Linen fabrics^*
• Corduroy^*
• Denim^*
• Canvas^*
• Decorative fabrics^*

How should I prepare the fabrics?

Before you start sewing, you should wash, dry, and iron all fabrics. Then you can be sure that your pillow cover won't shrink in the first wash.

Before you start sewing the pieces together, you should think about the order. If you use multiple pieces of the same fabric, make sure that the fabric pieces aren't too close to each other in the sequence. Pay attention to an even, harmonious distribution of dark and light fabrics.

A mixture of floral, plaid, striped, and dotted fabrics is also beautiful. Especially funny, different polka-dot fabrics can look great when combined.

This only applies, of course, if you are using multiple fabric scraps. If you are sewing the pillow from a single fabric, you can simply cut the fabric in one go.

There are no limits to your creativity. :)

Can I also sew an upcycled pillow cover from worn-out clothing?

You can! But here too, it's best to use apparel fabrics without elastane. Corduroy, thinner denim, or velvet would surely look great.

You can also perfectly sew pillows from old bed covers. The round pillow is perfect for using all sorts of scraps: old napkins, tablecloths, curtains - anything works!

Can I sew the pillow cover with an envelope closure?

Theoretically, you can also sew an envelope closure here. However, I would skip it – the special thing about the pillow is that it's so nicely round – and the envelope closure could cause the pillow to lose its shape a bit.

Because of the gathers in the middle of the front, you are pulling the fabric tight, and the envelope closure on the back would gap open. Therefore, the back must be closed so that the pillow maintains its perfect round shape.

If you still want to sew an envelope closure, you should secure it with Velcro so the pillow holds its shape.

Can I sew the round pillow cover with a zipper?

Definitely! You can sew the zipper into the side seam or into the center of the back. But since it is a decorative pillow, it is also fine if you simply sew your pillow shut all around.

If you ever get a stain on it or just want to wash it, you can also stuff the whole thing into the washing machine. I would just avoid spinning it too fast.

Read here how you can sew a pillowcase with a zipper.

What accessories do I need to sew the round pillow?

You need the basic equipment required for all sewing projects.

• Woven fabric and/or fabric scraps
• 1 round pillow insert^* in the size of your choice
• Fabric shears^*
• Pins^* or fabric clips^*
• Tailor's chalk or marking pen^*
• Sewing machine (feel free to read my reviews of my Juki DX7 and Juki UX8)
• Sewing thread^*
• Rotary cutter^*
• Cutting mat^*
• Patchwork ruler^*
• 1 large, fancy button^* (possibly 2, in case you want one on the underside of your pillow too)
• Long sewing needle (e.g., a mattress needle^*) with tear-resistant thread (e.g., star thread^*, Sashiko thread, or dental floss)
• Iron
• Ironing mat^*
• the free pattern for the round pillow

Reading tip: Do you want to know more about which sewing accessories you need as a beginner? Then read my blog post with the shopping list for sewing beginners!

One more tip regarding the button: You can use any type of button that you are comfortable with. I find buttons that harmonize with the fabric color particularly cool. I like using buttons with a diameter of 5–6 cm because they create a nice, shape-defining indentation. How about these buttons^*, for example?

Which sewing thread is suitable for sewing the pillow cover?

You don't need any special sewing thread for your pillow. Regular all-purpose thread is perfectly suitable. Just make sure it matches in color. Polyester or cotton thread – both are possible.

The side seams don't have to withstand any special stress or tension, so an especially tear-resistant thread is not necessary.

I am always a fan of all-purpose thread in beige. You can actually use this thread for everything and don't need to buy "special" thread colors.

To gather and sew on the button, I recommend a strong, tear-resistant thread. I like using dental floss because it glides through the fabric particularly well when gathering. But buttonhole thread is also great!

What is the best way to cut the fabrics for the pillow?

It is best to use a cutting mat, a quilting ruler, and a rotary cutter. Since you are cutting out rectangles that should be as precise as possible – and you simply get the most accurate result with a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat. However, you don't need a particularly large cutting mat – A3 size is perfectly sufficient.

Of course, you can also cut your fabric pieces with fabric shears – but here I would first mark your pattern pieces on the fabric with a ruler before cutting them out.

If you don't have much sewing experience yet, you should resist the "quick-quick" mindset. It's better to take an intermediate step and trace the pattern onto the fabric with a fabric marking pen. Then you can cut it out very neatly with scissors and get a super clean result afterward!

And believe me (I say this from painful experience): slower is often faster! ;)

What do I need to know about pillow inserts?

Pillow inserts can be found at fabric stores, DIY shops, or in the bedding department. If you are sewing the pillow for your children, make sure the insert or filling material is certified according to EN 71. This mark means that the filling material complies with EU pollutant and safety guidelines and is harmless and non-toxic for children.

If you are sewing a decorative pillow, you should make sure that the filling material consists of polyester. This prevents the filling material from getting moldy. That sometimes happens after washing or if the pillow has been exposed to moisture.

Yes – one might think that cotton is more natural and therefore better, but in this case, polyester is the better alternative, especially for allergy sufferers.

What must my sewing machine be able to do?

For a round pillow like this, you only need a very simple household sewing machine that can sew a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch. That's why this sewing project is such a perfect beginner project.

You sew the connecting seams with a straight stitch at the standard stitch length setting of 2.5, and you can finish the raw fabric edges with a medium zigzag stitch.

Just don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams. Otherwise, your perfect round pillow will eventually come apart in a very imperfect way.

Can I also sew the round pillow with an overlocker?

You can use your overlocker to finish the open fabric edges – otherwise, you don't necessarily need your overlocker for this sewing project.

Overlock machines sew connecting seams very quickly – but the stitch quality is not as crisp as with a normal household sewing machine. Do you want to try it anyway? Go for it, I do too! :)

What dimensions should I use for the round pillow cover?

That all depends – you can sew it as small as you like – or as big! You can make it small and fill it with dried lavender blossoms instead of pillow stuffing to create a pretty scented pillow for your closet or guest bathroom.

The size of your pillow depends on the size of your insert or the amount of filling material you have available – and always remember: a perfect round pillow like this must be filled really well. If it isn't plumply filled, then it isn't perfectly round.

Over time, the filling material also loses volume – so it is better to fill it a bit plumper! If your pillow loses volume over time, you can put it in the dryer to fluff it back up a bit. If you want a measurement from me – then I would recommend a diameter of approx. 40 to 55 cm.

By the way, a combination of several round pillows in different sizes is also great.

Here is the measurement table that will help you determine the required size of the fabric pieces.

How do I start now?

You have an insert (sometimes just called pillow stuffing) and you have prepared some beautiful fabrics – the sewing machine is ready and the sewing utensils are at hand? Then take a moment to calmly select your fabric combination.

Lay your fabric choices side by side and see which fabrics look best next to each other and which combination you like best. Of course, you can also sew the pillow from a single fabric, as I did in the video.

Also remember that your fabric pieces will be relatively small – so see how small pieces of your fabrics look next to each other and whether the pattern is still clearly recognizable. The charm of your pillow stands or falls with the fabric selection.

The sewing goes in a flash. The trick is how you combine your chosen fabrics and arrange them next to each other.

Create your own pattern for the round pillow

Your pillow filling determines the size of your pillow. Here is what you do if the dimensions of your pillow filling are larger or smaller than those included in the pattern.

Trace the contour of the filling onto the sheet of paper and add a 1 cm seam allowance. If you like, you can also adjust the circle slightly with a compass.

There you have the pattern for the back of your perfect round pillow.

For the front, measure the circumference of your pillow and add 2 cm for the seam allowance. That is how long the fabric strip you need for the front must be. You get the width of the fabric strip by dividing the diameter of the round pattern by 2.

Picture tutorial: Sewing a round pillow

YouTube video: Sewing a round pillow

Conclusion

Round and cuddly soft. I bet you will be just as thrilled with your new perfect round pillow. I immediately feel like trying out more variations. How about decorating the round pillow with a striking piping (click here for the blog post sewing piping) or a fun pom-pom trim?

With this really simple project, you can quickly bring a little more creativity into your everyday life.

And the great thing is, you can always reinvent your round pillow! Simply sew lots of round pillows yourself and distribute them generously throughout the house. The "roundies" are so decorative. :)

Happy simple sewing

Yours, Sabine

Frequently Asked Questions