Vintage Scarf Pillow from Fabric Remix

Last Updated on September 23, 2020 by Ellen Christian

Complete directions with diagrams and pictures can be found in Fabric Remix: Repurpose & Redecorate with Simple Sewing & Easy Upholstery by Sandy Stone.

Materials and Tools:

Sewing machine
Thread
Scissors
Pins
Measuring tape
Fabric chalk
Iron and ironing board
One square scarf
Nonwoven interfacing, medium weight, as large as the scarf
Coordinating plain fabric (use up some remnants), 3/4 yard
1 square pillow form

Seam allowance is 1/2″. Choose a scarf that is somewhat sturdy. A very delicate silk is not suitable for this project. Determine the appropriate size pillow form to use. If you want your pillow to have a flange (a floppy border) your pillow form should be at least 5 inches smaller than your scarf. Scarves often have border designs. It will enhance y our pillow if you can plan for the width of the flange to match the width of the border.

Directions:

1. Press your scarf flat.

2. Cut a piece of interfacing to the exact dimensions of the scarf. Pin it, edge to edge, to the wrong side of the scarf. Machine baste 1/4 inch from the edge on all four sides.

3. Use a ruler and fabric chalk to mark and cut two rectangles from the plain fabric or remnant you have chosen. These should be equal to the length of the scarf and 3 inches longer than half of the width of the scarf.

4. Stitch a double fold 1/2 inch hem on one long edge of each rectangle. Press the hems flat.

5. With right sides facing and hemmed edges overlapping in the center, pin the outside edges of the pillow back to the scarf. Stitch 1/2 inch from the edge on all four sides. Clip off each of the four corners to reduce bulk and turn right side out. Press edges flat.

6. Pin the front to the back on all four sides again, this time with the wrong sides facing. With the scarf side up, topstitch 2 inches from the edge around the perimeter to create the flange.

I didn’t have any vintage scarves and I wanted to make my son a throw pillow for his room.  Since I had bandanas left over from the curtain project, I decided to use those instead.  I’m far from an expert seamstress but I think it came out really well.

Ellen Christian

Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.