DIY Tufted Velvet Flower Pillow: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you obsessed with pillows like I am? I can’t resist browsing the pillow section whenever I’m out shopping, and I often end up with more pillows than I need. Urban Outfitters is one of my favorite places to find unique and stylish pillows, and that’s where I first saw these beautiful velvet flower pillows with their charming tassels. They instantly caught my eye!

Velvet is my absolute favorite fabric, especially during the cooler months. I was completely smitten with these pillows, but instead of buying one, I challenged myself to make my own version. I figured I could save some money and have a fun DIY project at the same time. And guess what? Since I already had most of the supplies at home, my DIY Urban Outfitters-inspired velvet flower pillow ended up being completely FREE – compared to the $50 price tag of the original!

Tufted velvet flower pillow project — Photo by Holly Wade

This project is perfect for adding a touch of cozy elegance to any room. It’s a fun and rewarding way to personalize your home decor and showcase your creativity. Let’s dive in and create your own stunning velvet flower pillow!

Understanding the Challenges of Working with Velvet

Working with velvet can be a bit tricky, especially if your fabric has a lot of stretch. The flower shape requires some detailed sewing, so I recommend choosing a velvet or velour fabric with minimal stretch. This will make the process much easier and help you achieve a clean, professional finish.

I’d classify this pillow DIY as an intermediate sewing project. Sewing around the curves of the flower can be a little challenging, but with patience and careful attention to detail, anyone can master it. The most important thing is to take your time and enjoy the process!

My best advice is to use plenty of pins to hold the fabric in place and sew slowly, ensuring you maintain the shape of the flower. This will prevent the fabric from shifting and help you create a beautifully defined pillow.

I already have a lot of yellow accents in my home decor, so this new tufted velvet flower pillow fits right in. It adds a touch of warmth and coziness, perfect for those crisp autumn evenings. The texture of the velvet and the unique flower shape create a visually appealing and inviting atmosphere.

Materials You’ll Need to Create Your Velvet Flower Pillow

Before you start, gather all the necessary materials. Having everything organized and within reach will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Folded yellow fabric with various crafting materials on top.

½ yard of velvet fabric (low stretch is best)
Scissors
Pins
Thread (matching your fabric)
Coordinating embroidery thread
Hand sewing needle
Sewing machine (recommended, but you can also sew by hand)
Pillow stuffing

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Velvet Flower Pillow

Follow these detailed steps to create your own stunning tufted velvet flower pillow. Each step is designed to be clear and easy to follow, ensuring a successful and enjoyable DIY experience.

Step 1: Cutting the Flower Shapes

First, you’ll need to cut two large, equal-sized flower shapes from your velvet fabric. To ensure both flowers are identical, I recommend creating a paper template first. Tape several pieces of paper together to create a large enough surface, then draw your desired flower shape. If you want a perfectly symmetrical flower, fold the fabric in half, or even into quarters, and trace half or a quarter of the template along the folded edge. This will give you a mirrored image when you unfold the fabric, resulting in a symmetrical flower. Cut out both flower shapes carefully.

Step 2: Preparing the Side Strip

In addition to the two flower shapes, you’ll need to cut a long strip of fabric that will form the sides of the pillow. Cut a strip that is about 3 inches wide and long enough to go around the entire perimeter of the flower. If you don’t have a single piece of fabric that long, you can cut two shorter strips and sew them together to create one long piece. This is what I did, and it worked perfectly!

Step 3: Pinning the Side Strip to the First Flower

Now it’s time to start assembling the pillow. Starting in between one of the petals, pin one edge of the long strip around the edge of the flower, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. This means the side of the fabric you want to see on the outside of the finished pillow should be facing inward. As you pin around the flower, you’ll notice that the fabric of the strip needs to bunch slightly in the curves between the petals. This is necessary to maintain the shape of the flower. Use plenty of pins to secure the fabric and ensure it stays in place while you sew.

Step 4: Sewing the Side Strip to the First Flower

Before you start sewing, make sure the ends of the strip are sewn together to form a continuous loop. Then, using your sewing machine (or by hand), sew around the pinned edges of the flower, following the curve of the petals. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam to secure the stitches and prevent them from unraveling.

Step 5: Attaching the Second Flower

Repeat the pinning process, attaching the second flower piece to the other end of the side strip, with the right sides facing together. Pin all the way around the shape, just like you did with the first flower. However, this time, leave a gap of about 5 inches unpinned. Mark this section with two pins placed close together to remind you not to sew it. This opening will be used to turn the pillow right side out and to stuff it.

Note: I recommend leaving an opening wide enough to easily insert your hand. This will also make tufting the pillow easier in a later step.

Step 6: Turning the Pillow Right Side Out

Carefully reach through the opening you left and turn the pillow right side out. This can be a little tricky, especially around the petals, so take your time and gently pull the fabric through. Once the pillow is right side out, use your fingers to push out the seams and smooth out any wrinkles.

Step 7: Stuffing the Pillow

Before you start stuffing, take a moment to check that all the seams are sewn securely and that the pillow has the desired shape. Then, begin filling the pillow with stuffing. Use your hands to distribute the stuffing evenly, making sure to fill all the corners and petals. Don’t overstuff the pillow, as this will make it difficult to tuft later. Leave a little room for the tufting process. Don’t sew the opening shut just yet!

Step 8: Making and Attaching the Tassel

Now it’s time to create the tassel that will adorn the center of the flower. There are many ways to make a tassel, but a simple method is to wrap embroidery thread around a piece of cardboard, tie it off at one end, cut the loops at the other end, and then wrap another piece of thread around the top to create the tassel shape. Once your tassel is complete, thread an additional piece of string through the top of the tassel. This string will be used to attach the tassel to the pillow.

Step 9: Tufting the Pillow

To create the tufted effect in the center of the pillow, thread a needle with a doubled-up piece of embroidery thread and tie a knot at the end. Starting from the center back of the pillow, poke the needle through the fabric and push it all the way to the other side, where you want the center of the flower to be. You may need to place your hand inside the pillow to guide the needle. Then, go over a tiny bit and thread the needle back to the back of the pillow. Pull the thread tight to create a tufted appearance and tie the ends in a tight knot on the back of the pillow. Repeat this process several times to ensure the thread is secure and won’t break. Next, thread the ends of the tassel string onto the needle and repeat the process, going through to the other side of the pillow, threading on the tassel, and then coming back to the back, securing with another knot.

Note: If this seems confusing, just remember that embroidery thread is thin and can break easily. Since you’ll be using it to tuft the pillow, you need to repeat the process several times to make sure the thread doesn’t snap. Reinforce the tufting by going through the pillow multiple times and securing the knots tightly.

Step 10: Closing the Opening

Finally, sew up the opening with an invisible stitch, also known as a ladder stitch. This will create a seamless closure that is virtually invisible. Take your time and make small, even stitches to ensure a professional finish.

And there you have it! Your very own DIY tufted velvet flower pillow is complete. Trim any loose threads, even out the tassel, or give the pillow a quick roll with a lint roller to remove any stray fibers. Now it’s ready to display and enjoy! Velvet pillows are perfect for adding a touch of cozy elegance to your home decor, especially during the fall and winter months. They bring a sense of warmth and comfort to any room.

If you’re looking for more fun and easy sewing projects, be sure to check out this collection of Simple Sewing Projects for All Skill Levels.

How to make a velvet tufted flower pillow — Share this project on Pinterest!

Check out our Anthropologie knock-off pillow project!

Enjoy your new, cozy, and stylish velvet flower pillow! Happy crafting!