How to make DIY floor pillows

DIY floor pillows look fabulous and are incredibly versatile! You can use them to brighten up a room or take them out into your garden and enjoy the sunshine.

If you want to create a relaxing space in your home, this DIY floor cushion pattern can also be used to create comfortable meditation cushions to use when you need a quiet moment.

A DIY floor cushion can also make a lovely accessory for a child’s bedroom – why not try making a whole batch of them so they can use them while playing with their friends?

Read on to learn how to make DIY floor pillows step by step…

This project was originally created for Simply Sewing Magazine. Jessica Entwistle is a fabric crafts designer who regularly contributes to Simply Sewing Magazine. She loves to create easy-to-sew, accessible designs with a fresh, modern style.

Are you new to sewing? We’ve put together some useful guides to help you master basic sewing skills and techniques. Explore the best sewing machines for beginners, sewing kits for beginners, sewing for beginners guides and learn how to use a sewing machine.

Notes

• Use a 1cm (³⁄₈in) seam allowance.
• Unfortunately, the Maude Asbury fabrics used to make this cushion are no longer available in the UK.
• The pom pom trim used here is a dusty pink bobble fringe from The Stripes Company.

You will need:

• Fabric A (100x100cm (40x40in))
• Fabric B (100x100cm (40x40in))
• Large pom pom trim (3.5m (4yds))
• Self-cover button (38mm (1 5/8in))
• Paper (50cmx50cm (20x20in))
• Polyester fibrefill (2.5kg)
• Matching sewing thread
• Strong thread for the button
• Pencil and twine
• Erasable pen
• Basic sewing kit

Cutting out

Step 1

Mark a quarter circle with a 25cm (10in) radius using a pencil tied to a piece of twine onto paper. Cut out the paper quarter circle.

Step 2

Fold Fabric A for the cushion front in half widthways, then press along the fold line to make a crease along the width.

Step 3

Fold it again so that the raw side edges and the folded crease align.

Step 4

Pin the fabric layers together to hold the folds in place.

Step 5

Place your paper template on top, making sure that the pivot point is the corner where all your folded fabric meets, and pin into place. This will be the centre of the circle once the fabric is cut and unfolded.

Step 6

Draw around the curved quarter circle and cut it out.

Step 7

Unfold the circle and place it right sides (RS) together on top of fabric B for the cushion back and cut around it.

Step 8

Mark the quarter points on both fabric circles as this will make it easier to join the cushion together later.

Step 9

Mark the circle centre points on both fabrics for the button placement.

Assembling the cushion

Step 1

Pin and then staystitch the pom pom trim to the RS of the cushion front, so that the pom poms are facing inwards to the centre of the circle. You may find it easier to use a zip foot for this to keep your stitching straight and avoid stitching into the pom poms. Overlap the tape where the trim meets at the start and finish.

Step 2

Place the cushion front and cushion back RS together, matching the quarter points and using lots of pins.

Step 3

Stitch together all the way around, leaving a 20cm (8in) turning gap. Make sure the pom pom tape is within the seam allowance and not visible from the RS of the cushion.

Step 4

Turn RS out then fold the edges of the turning gap to the inside by 1cm (³⁄₈in) and press. It’s best to tack these too so they stay turnedunder while you’re stuffing the cushion.

Stuffing the cushion

Step 1

Stuff the cushion firmly, making sure that it is evenly filled.

Step 2

Slip stitch the turning gap closed.

Step 3

Cover the self-cover button with a scrap of leftover fabric.

Step 4

Stitch the button onto the centre of the cushion front, sewing through the cushion to the back and out again to the front a few times to pull the cushion in and create a dip in the centre.

Step 5

Tie off the thread securely to finish.

Make your own cosy DIY floor pillows

DIY floor pillows are an easy, satisfying make that bring instant comfort and personality to any room. Once you’ve sewn one, you’ll be tempted to stitch a whole stack for cosy reading corners, movie nights and extra seating whenever you need it.

Make more cosy cushions

Looking for more cushion patterns? Learn how to make a rainbow cushion.

Jessica Entwistle

Jess is a fabric crafts designer who’s work is regularly published in Simply Sewing and Love Patchwork & Quilting magazines. She shares her work on her website http://www.jellybgood.com. She inherited her love of fabric, colour and sewing from her mother and specializes in creating easy-to-sew, accessible designs with a fresh modern style, making her projects popular with magazine readers and crafters online alike. She’s got a thing for neon threads and a serious love of fabric. She runs her own craft business creating everything from hair slides and brooches to bunting and quilts. She has previously appeared as a guest designer on Sewing Quarter TV and shares her work on Instagram @jessjelllybgood

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