Sew-Easy Fringed Pillow

What is your favorite type of trim on a pillow?

Yesterday, in my Let’s Talk Pillows and Stuffing! post,  you got a peek at this pillow I made for HH from the fabric I selected at Brick House Fabrics*.  My goal today is to demonstrate a technique I’ve not shared before – sewing fringe.

Brush fringe is my favorite trim, and I’ve sewn it into many of my pillows, as well as window treatments.  Fringe adds a finished look to a pillow, and brush fringe in particular is very easy to sew – much easier than cording.

To begin your pillow, cut out two squares.  Mine is an 18″ pillow, so I cut my squares at 19″.

Serge or zig-zag all edges to prevent ravel.

Align the fringe’s looped edge along the edge of a fabric square that is facing right side up.  Sew the fringe to the pillow square just inside the stitches that hold the fringe together.

Turn the fringe gently as you round the corners.

When you sew around to meet your beginning point, simply end your fringe just beside the beginning.  Easy!  Excuse my glob below, but my fringe was pulling apart.  When fringe is cut, we place a piece of masking tape over the ends.

The miraculous thing here is that I had exactly  the amount of fringe needed for this pillow (whew!).  I had to use my taped end rather than making a clean cut on the fringe.  Sometimes when you remove the tape, it ravels a bit.  Pictured above, I was holding those loose pieces at the end while taking a picture with my left hand.  Not easy with the shutter button on the right side of the camera!

Now the fringe is sewn to all four edges of the square (side one).  The arrow shows my beginning and ending point.  It’s not too pretty, but it’ll be hidden inside the seam.

The fringe normally comes with a row of stitching along the fringe edge to keep it secure while handling.  That’s the threading you see above, raveled out.  For easier sewing leave the threading in place until you’ve completed your pillow.

Place side one (the fringed side) face-down on top of side two, which is face-up.  Be sure the pattern is running the same direction on both pieces.  Stitch sides together by sewing just to the left of your stitch line from attaching the fringe to side one.

Leave an opening large enough to fit your pillow form through.

Invert pillow and insert form (recommended over raw stuffing – make your own form here).  Tuck fabric under  along the opening and pin to the fringe.  Notice the blue stitch line below.  That’s the stitches from sewing the fringe to side one.  You’ll want to hand-stitch the closure below that stitch line (but very close to it) so your stitches will hold securely.

Run stitches through the top fabric, which is side two, and through the fringe, but not side one.  If you need extra tips for that, see how to Pro-Sew Your Pillow Closures.

HH enjoys his new pillow.  Here it is…waiting for him in his King Chair.   🙂

For a little browsing for pillow fabrics of your own, visit Brick House Fabrics*.  Also, Like their Facebook page to get postings about fabric specials and information.

Have you used brush fringe for home decor?  Did you find it easy to maneuver?

Thank you for visiting.  As always, I’m very thankful for you!

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