Soft cotton with a high thread count works well for pillows you’ll be sleeping on. Brocade and other home decor fabrics work well for decorative pillows.

If the fabric is prone to fraying, serge or zigzag stitch the edges after you cut it.

If you are using a sewing machine, backstitch at the start and end of your sewing so that your stitching doesn’t come undone. [4] X Research source

If you don’t have an iron, you can pin each folded edge separately; don’t pin them together, however, or you won’t be able to stuff the pillow.

You can also cut open an old pillow, and use the down or polyester stuffing from it instead.

Keep the stitching tight and small hen hand sewing. Knot the thread securely at the end. Use a ⅛-inch (0. 32-centimeter) seam allowance and a matching thread color when machine sewing. Remember to backstitch at the start and end of your sewing.

You will be making the pillowcase a little smaller than the pillow form itself. This will give you a nice, full pillow.

Alternatively, you can make the pieces the same width and two-thirds of the height. The back piece can be the same color and pattern as your front piece, or they can be different.

Repeat this step for the other back piece.

Make sure that the raw edges of the back pieces match up with the raw edges of the front piece. Make sure that the hemmed edge of the back pieces are overlapping along the middle of the front piece.

Do not leave a gap for turning. You will be turning the pillow through the opening created by the overlapping back pieces.

Your fringe will be 3 inches (7. 62 centimeters) long. If you want a longer fringe, cut the fabric larger.

If you cut your fabric larger for a longer fringe, cut the squares the same size you want the fringe to be.

You can buy polyester stuffing at a fabric store or craft store.