Throw pillows and cushion covers are a favourite embroidery project because they're flat, forgiving, and make wonderful personalised gifts. With the right preparation you can add monograms, quotes, and motifs that look professionally finished.
Fabric and Stabilizer
Most decorative pillows use cotton, linen, or canvas covers, which embroider easily. Hoop a cut-away stabilizer behind the design area; for looser weaves, add a water-soluble topping to stop stitches sinking into the fabric.
Placement and Sizing
- •Centre designs on the cover, or offset to a lower corner for a modern look.
- •Stitch the cover before sewing it onto the pillow form if possible.
- •Standard 45 cm (18 in) covers suit designs up to about 150 mm wide.
- •Keep heavy fills modest so the cover stays soft.
Design Your Pillow Free
Use SewFlow to convert artwork, type a monogram, or generate an AI motif, then export to your machine format.
Stitch Flat
Always embroider the cover fabric while it's flat and unstuffed. Trying to hoop a finished pillow leads to puckers and uneven stitching.
Design your pillow embroidery free:
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