letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Serger Sample Sheet
    • NEW! 2-Thread Serger Techniques-Pt.1
    • NEW! Basic Serger Stitches
    • New! Sew with Your Feet_Resources
    • New Project! Chic Triangle Scarf
    • New! Embroidered Sachet Envelope Project
    • Denim Re-design Hanging Organizer
    • Sewing a Cargo Pocket
    • NEW! Interfacings for Embroidery Tip Sheet
    • Making Kitchen Towels & FREE Cornucopia Applique Design
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tutorial_Embroidered Greeting Card Project
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • My Sewing Story
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips

PILLOW POINTERS - TIPS AND IDEAS FOR MAKING PRETTY PILLOWS

5/11/2015

2 Comments

 
COLOR PLAY PILLOW SET
Picture
Volume 92 of Designs in Machine Embroidery is hot off the press! Beginning on page 24 you’ll see the pillows I stitched for an article titled Color Play Pillows.  Machine embroidery enthusiasts will find ideas for pairing plain fabric with prints for embroidered pillows that look professional and pretty! In the introduction to the article I talk about the challenges of combining embroidery designs with printed fabrics.  This can be a tricky mix. I encourage you to get a copy of this issue and learn a few solutions to this dilemma. You can CLICK HERE to subscribe or ask for the magazine at your local sewing machine shop.
Picture
CLICK HERE to see some behind the scenes pics from the Designs in Machine Embroidery Volume 92 photo shoot.

Ready for a few tips and ideas? I'm sure you would agree that adding a few new pillows is one of the fastest ways to freshen up your home décor. A basic pillow involves just a few steps. Start with two simple squares, decide what you want to feature on the front, figure out how you‘ll close the back, and in no time at all you are ready to stuff the square and plop a new pillow in place!!! The simplest pillow by far is one that features a gorgeous fabric on the front side. With fabulous fabric as the "star," there’s probably no need for further embellishment. However, consider adding something to the backside so you can flip the pillow and show the opposite side from time to time. Take a look at the pillow below from Designs in Machine Embroidery Volume 57. The machine embroidered woven strips on the front side were the main attraction but fabric covered embroidered buttons make the back side almost as pretty.
Picture
Picture
Of course you can use regular buttons too, then accent the back with embroidered buttonholes. The pillow set below is from Designs in Machine Embroidery Volume 72.  You'll find a variation of the embroidery design on the pillow front available Free from brothersews.com. Currently you'll find this in the Hobbies and Home Decor section of the website. The buttonhole design on the back can be purchased for specific Brother models from Ibroidery.com. CLICK HERE to find it.
Picture
Over the years I’ve made lots of pillows in all shapes and sizes. Many of them were lovingly stitched as personalized gifts for friends and family. The list is long and the techniques I’ve used include fabric weaving, stenciling, cross-stitch, needlepoint, patchwork, appliqué, bobbin work, trapunto, and monogramming. Many of these featured machine embroidery as the focal point of the pillow front. With or without an embroidery machine you can make great looking pillows that fit your personal taste and color scheme. Pillows can be quick and easy or more detailed but they are just plain fun to make . . . for yourself, or to give as a cherished gift.
Interested in more ideas?  
I invite you to visit the Projects section of the brothersews.com website. 
Picture
The possibilities for embellishing pillows are endless! Just click on the links below and you'll find some current pillow projects posted on the Brother site. You’re sure to gather additional inspiration for your next pretty pillow project. Note that these projects are best viewed on your computer where you can download the Free PDF instructions. Pillows are a quick way to spruce up most any room in the space you call Home Sweet Home! 
  • Monogrammed Pillow with Oval Frame
  • Thread Painted Pillows
  • Home Sweet Home - Home Dec Set
  • Pillow Panel with Shadow Appliqué
  • Decorator Pillow
  • Pillow with Ribbons and Ruffles
  • Pillow Panel with Matching Window Treatments
2 Comments
    Picture

    Author:

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador


    I'd love to stay in touch with you!

    Click Here
    and Sign up for
    ​Sewing News, plus tips, tricks, and notifications about new blog posts.

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    *As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2025 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved