If you’ve been following my stories, you know I have a soft spot in my heart for other people’s unfinished projects. Because I love to create, I know the love and time that people have put into projects. I found this needlepoint piece at a garage sale. (There were more needlepoint pieces purchased at the same time — there will be more projects in the future!) I enjoyed finishing a needlepoint pillow from this lovely work from another maker.
Needlepoint pillow finishing can be a fun and creative home dec project.
How do you finish a needlepoint pillow
Finish a needlepoint project and don't know what to do next? Here are step-by-step directions on how to finish your needlepoint project into a decorator pillow.
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Materials
- Fabric to cover the pillow; I used a pillow form that was 14-inches by 22-inches. I needed 3/4-yard of fabric. This includes the fabric to finish the front and the backing fabric.
- Pillow form that centers your needlepoint on the pillow
- Thread, no need to purchase upholstery thread for making pillows
- OPTIONAL: trims or other embellishments for the pillow
Tools
- Fabric scissors OR rotary cutter, mat and quilters ruler
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pressing surface
Instructions
- Start by auditioning your needlepoint on the pillow form to see what you might like. I found the perfect fabric in my stash that I inherited from an upholster who wanted a good home for her scraps.
- Start by making the pillow top. You can always use a different fabric on the back if you don't quite have enough.
To make my needlepoint fit the pillow form, I needed two (2) strips at 6-inches wide for the sides and two (2) strips at 4-1/2 inch wide for the top and bottom.
The way I determined this is I measured from the edge of the needlepoint to the center seam in the pillow form. Then, I added 1-inch to each measurement so that I could have 1/2-inch seam allowances.
- To sew the needlepoint, I like to put the needle point on the top so I can easily sew right next to the work, so there is no gap showing the canvas on the right side. Put the right sides together. You can trim the canvas to 1/2-inch -- I just made sure the upholstery fabric was a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
- Press the seam allowances toward the fabric. This helps the needlepoint lay flatter.
- Next sew the other two sides to the pillow. You can start with the top and bottom like I did, or start with the sides - there is no right (or wrong) way to sew the borders on the needlepoint.
- This is where the fun can come in. I liked the top, but it was kinda boring to me, missing something. I auditioned some threads and decided to add some embroidery. I thought these colors helped make the needlepoint pop.
- I started by adding the Chevron Embroidery Stitch all around the edge of the fabric in the seam with the needlepoint piece.
- then I added some French Knots at the top of each of the Chevrons. I think this looks so much better, framing the needlepoint and bringing out the colors from the flowers.
- Now that the top is done, it is easy to finish the pillow. Cut a piece of fabric the same size as the top. Mine happens to be 15-inches x 25-inches.
With right sides together, sew with 1/2-inch seam allowance. You'll want to leave a large opening on the bottom seam of the pillow to insert the pillow form.
Once you have sewn the seam, turn the pillow cover right side out and press. Place the pillow in the new pillow cover and whipstitch the opening closed.
You now have a needlepoint decorator pillow!
Recommended Products
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Kai 5210 8-inch Dressmaking Shears (N5210) -
OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting - 17" x 24" Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad 1/2" Thick, 100% New Zealand Wool for Ironing, Sewing, Cutting on Ironing Board, Tabletop, Dryer, Countertop -
Omnigrid Non-Slip quilter's Ruler, 6" x 24", Neon Green -
45mm Rotary Cutter -
OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat
How to self finish a needlepoint pillow?
There are so many ways to finish a needlepoint pillow yourself. If your needlepoint piece is exactly the right size for the pillow form, all you need to do is sew the backing to the needlepoint – use my technique above by putting the needle point side up when sewing so that you can make sure that there is no gap and the needle point canvas showing through. Again, leave the opening to insert the pillow form and whipstitch the opening closed.
How to finish a needlepoint pillow with piping
When I use the needlepoint for the full top, I like to add some piping or upholstery trim to the outside edges. That can be easily added by inserting when sewing the needle point to the fabric. See our article on how to make piping.
Can I attach a finished needlepoint piece to an existing pillow?
Yes! To attach a finished needle point piece to a ready-made pillow, trim the needlepoint canvas to 1/2-inch. I like to zig-zag stitch or serge around the edges to secure them. Press the canvas to the back of the needlepoint so that none is the canvas is peeking out on the right side. Center your needlepoint on your pillow and hand appliqué the needlepoint to your pillow.
Enjoyed finishing a needlepoint pillow? Check out all of our throw pillow projects on Create Whimsy and browse through all of our home dec projects and inspiration.
