Sewing a ring pillow for a wedding: a special gift that the couple will love to keep. Includes tips and hacks for embroidery and a matching bridal purse.
The most important things at a glance
- In this tutorial, you will learn how to easily sew your own ring pillow
- You will receive tips on choosing the right fabric and how to reinforce it
- There is also information on how to attach the rings to the ring pillow
- ✂️ Sewing level: easy
- ⏰ Sewing time: 30-60 min.
Do you want to sew the perfect ring pillow for a wedding? Congratulations! A homemade ring pillow is not just a beautiful accessory for the big day, but also a special keepsake that will last forever. In this blog post, I will show you how to sew an enchanting ring pillow yourself. I will give you tips on choosing fabric and colors and reveal which sewing thread is best suited for the job. And as a little extra, I've included a mini-tutorial for a matching bridal purse. Let's get started!
YouTube sewing video: How to sew a ring pillow
Choosing fabric: Which fabric is right for your ring pillow?
Choosing the right fabric is essential for your ring pillow. It should be elegant yet durable enough to survive the wedding unscathed. The following fabrics are particularly well-suited:
- Silk: A classic that impresses with its noble luster. However, silk is not very easy to work with and is better suited for experienced sewers.
- Satin*: Satin is a great alternative to silk. It is also shiny and looks very festive, but is easier to sew.
- Linen*: If you prefer something a bit more rustic, linen is a good choice. It looks more natural and fits perfectly with boho or vintage weddings.
- Cotton*: For easy handling and a matte finish, cotton is an ideal option. It is easy to iron and sew, which is an advantage especially for beginners.
TIP: Sometimes there is a little fabric left over from altering the wedding dress. Ask the tailor or seamstress to keep the scraps for you. You can use them beautifully for the ring pillow, and you'll be on the safe side color-wise. In the next section, I'll explain why that is.
Choosing colors: The harmonious interplay of tones
The choice of color for your ring pillow should be well thought out. Classic white is, of course, always a safe bet. But did you know that not all shades of white are the same? Depending on the type of fabric, different shades of white can clash. For example, a bright pure white next to a creamy off-white can look inconsistent. So, make sure you either choose the same shade of white or play specifically with contrasts. A ring pillow made from a subtly patterned fabric is also very beautiful, for instance.
If you would like to design the ring pillow in a different color, choose one that fits the wedding's color palette. Pastel tones like blush, mint, or lavender are particularly popular and look delicate and romantic.
Mettler sewing thread: For a perfect result
For a high-quality result, I recommend Mettler Seralon sewing thread. This thread is perfect for fine fabrics like silk or satin. It is tear-resistant, slightly elastic, and available in a wide color palette so that you can always find the right tone. For white or cream-colored fabrics, I recommend color number 2000 (Pure White) or 2001 (Off-White) to ensure the thread remains unobtrusive.
Instructions for sewing a ring pillow
I embroidered my ring pillow before sewing it. This allows you to make the pillow even more individual. The wedding date and/or the names of the bride and groom, for example, look really great on the ring pillow. But a simple ring pillow on which you just sew pretty bows for the rings is also wonderful.
Read more here about embroidery with an embroidery machine
Materials:
- 15 x 20 cm fabric for the pillow
- 15 x 20 cm Vlieseline G700*
- 2 handfuls of fiberfill*
- 2 small ribbons*
- alternatively: 50 cm organdy ribbon
Step 1: Embroidery
If you own an embroidery machine (read more here about embroidery with the embroidery machine and discover our embroidery files), you are all set.
You can simply embroider the names of the couple and the wedding date. Perhaps even with a cute floral design.
Without an embroidery machine, just continue with Step 2.
Step 2: Sew on bows
Stitch the bows in the middle onto the fabric using a straight stitch.
Make sure to place the bows symmetrically.
Alternatively, you can stitch the ribbon down in the middle.
Step 3: Iron on interfacing
Iron interfacing onto the back of the fabric before final cutting.
Let the fabric cool down while laying flat.
Reading tip: Reinforcing fabrics
Step 4: Cutting
Cut 2 fabric pieces measuring 15 x 20 cm.
Step 5: Pinning together
Pin the two fabric pieces together flush, right sides facing.
Make sure to leave a turning opening on one of the short sides. 5-6 cm is perfectly sufficient here.
Step 6: Sewing
Sew the two pieces of fabric together all around with a straight stitch and a 1 cm seam allowance.
The turning opening remains open, of course. :)
Step 7: Trimming seam allowances
Trim the seam allowances in the corners diagonally, just before the seam.
Iron the seam allowances open from the wrong side so that the finished pillow can be shaped better.
Also iron the seam allowances of the turning opening 1 cm to the wrong side.
Step 8: Filling the pillow
Turn the pillow right side out and iron it again from the right side. If necessary, use a pressing cloth so as not to damage the fabric.
Do not stuff the pillow too tightly with the fiberfill.
Step 8: Closing the turning opening
Close the turning opening with a ladder stitch.
You can see how to do that here: Tutorial sewing a ladder stitch
The beautiful ring pillow is finished.
The ring is simply tucked behind the bow.
This is practical because it sits nice and securely, but the bride and groom don't have any fuss with untying bows at the big moment. ::)
Bonus tip: Sewing a bridal purse
A homemade bridal purse, in which the bride can store her most important utensils, fits wonderfully with a ring pillow. Here is a short tutorial:
Materials: