How to Make Bolster Pillows

In this Bolster Pillow video I will teach you how to make a bolster pillow, add fabric covered buttons and mix multiple fabrics in one project.

In this video, Donna Cash will teach you how to make a bolster pillow with a diagonal seam embellished with a decorative trim. The gathered ends have a fabric covered button. Donna will show you how to easily pull buttons in a foam insert. Learn how Donna keeps the ends of the bolster nice and round when a welt cord has not been added to the seam. Learn a few tips for mixing multiple fabric patterns in one project.

In this video you will learn to:

• Make a diagonal seam
• Cut fabric
• Add decorative trim to a pillow
• Make gathered ends of a pillow with buttons
• Add trim to the pillow
• Pull buttons through a foam insert
• Mix multiple fabric patterns on a single pillow

Run Time: Approximately 55 minutes

• Part 1 – Introduction
• Part 2 – Preparing the Foam
• Part 3 – Making the Bolster Pattern
• Part 4 – Cutting the Fabric
• Part 5 – Mixing Fabric Patterns
• Part 6 – Joining Face Fabric to Lining
• Part 7 – Adding the Trim
• Part 8 – Sewing the Bolster and Inserting the Foam
• Part 9 – Pleating the Bolster Ends and Adding the Buttons

• One foam bolster @ 18” x 8”
• One piece Dacron 18” x 25” and two 8” circles (or sized to fit your foam bolster)
• Button twine – about 80”
• A needle and strong sewing thread
• Two lining pieces @ 20 ½” x 27 ½” (one for a pattern and one to line the bolster)
• One piece face fabric @ 20 ½” x 27 ½”
• One piece of contrast fabric @ 20 ½” x 27 ½”
• Two fabric pieces for pillow ends @ 27 ½” x 5”
• Two pieces of foam or stiff welt cord at 27”
• One yard of decorative trim
• Fringe adhesive, iron on bonding tape, or double stick tape
• Silicone spray
• Two buttons @ 1 ½” or larger
• Ruler or straightedge