MATERIALS
Pillow form
Decorator fabric (amount depends on size of the pillow)
Tailor's chalk or pencil
Beaded trim or piping as desired
Matching sewing thread
Covered buttons (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS
Determine the size of pillow you want and add a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance all around. Use these measurements to cut out two round pieces of fabric for the pillow front and back. To make it easier to cut a perfectly round shape, trace, measure, and mark the shape on a cardboard template first. Then lay the template on the fabric and mark around the edge with tailor's chalk or a pencil; cut it out.

To figure the length of the gusset or strip, measure the distance around the pillow and add 1⁄2-inch for each seam allowance. For a large pillow, you may have to piece together a couple of strips to get the length you want.

To give your pillow a beaded embellishment similar to the one shown, draw a design on the unsewn fabric with fabric glue. Use a needle and thread to string the beads and press them onto the glue.

This pillow uses beaded trim around the edges to emphasize its shape. Using piping around the perimeter is another attractive way to give your pillow a professional finish. For either of these details, determine the length of beaded trim or piping you will need by multiplying the length of the gusset by 2; add 1 inch. (Click here for Piping Basics.)

Place the gusset right side up. Cut the length of beaded trim or piping in half and pin it to the front of the strip, matching the raw edges (see Diagram A). Stitch in place, making sure not to catch any beaded trim in the seam.

Diagram A

"Pin the short ends of the gusset together, right sides facing. Stitch the seam with a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance to make a circle (see Diagram B). Trim the seam to about 3⁄8 inch and press open. Fold the gusset into quarters and mark each quarter with contrasting thread by making a couple of stitches and leaving long tails.

Diagram B

Fold the top and bottom pillow pieces into quarters and mark each quarter the same way (see Diagram C).

Diagram C

Baste 3⁄8 inch from the raw edge of the top and bottom pillow pieces. Start and stop the stitching at each quarter mark (see Diagram C). Pin the gusset to the top of the pillow with the right sides facing and matching quarter marks. Gently pull the threads to ease each of the quarters to fit the gusset (see Diagram D). Evenly distribute the gathers and pin the gusset to the pillow. Stitch the top to the gusset using a 1⁄2-inch seam allowance.

Diagram D

Repeat to sew the bottom, leaving a 10-inch opening. Turn the pillow cover right side out, press, and insert the pillow form. Hand-sew the opening closed. Add a covered button if desired. Click here for finishing details to make covered buttons and for tufting with covered buttons.

For additional pillow designs see:
Basic Square Pillow
Flanged Pillow
Lumbar Pillow
Tied Bolster