DIY Faux Fur Pillow with Leather Accents: A Step-by-Step Guide

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, the transition from summer to fall begins. While saying goodbye to long summer nights can be tough, the arrival of autumn brings a unique charm with its rich colors, comforting scents, and delightful textures. This year, embrace the cozy vibes of fall by crafting your own DIY faux fur pillow with leather accents. This project allows you to incorporate your favorite fall textures in an animal-friendly way, adding a touch of warmth and style to your home decor.

This DIY project is designed to be both fun and accessible, even for those with limited sewing experience. By combining the plush softness of faux fur with the sophisticated touch of faux leather, you can create a pillow that’s both comfortable and visually appealing. Whether you’re looking to update your living room, bedroom, or any other space, this DIY fur pillow will add a touch of autumnal elegance to your home.

Let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions to create your very own faux fur pillow with leather accents!

Inspiration Behind the Project

The inspiration for this DIY faux fur pillow came from a stylish cushion spotted online. However, its unavailability and potentially high price tag sparked the idea to create a custom version at home. The result is even more satisfying, as the use of faux fur elevates the design and adds a luxurious touch.

Materials You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather all the necessary materials. Here’s a comprehensive list to ensure you have everything you need to create your DIY faux fur pillow:

• Pillow Form: Choose a size that suits your preference. Common sizes include 18×18 inches, 20×20 inches, or 21×21 inches.
• Faux Fur Fabric (Fabric A): This will be the front of your pillow. Select a faux fur that appeals to you in terms of color, texture, and pile length.
• Non-Stretch Fabric (Fabric B): This will be the backing of your pillow. Cotton or a similar non-stretch fabric works best to provide stability.
• Faux Leather or Vinyl Fabric: This will be used for the accent details. Choose a color that complements your faux fur.
• Sewing Machine: A reliable sewing machine is essential for this project.
• Sewing Notions: This includes thread, needles, scissors, pins, a measuring tape, and a fabric marker or chalk.

Having all your materials organized and within reach will make the crafting process smoother and more enjoyable. Now that you’ve gathered everything, let’s move on to the step-by-step instructions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Faux Fur Pillow

Follow these detailed instructions to create your own stunning faux fur pillow with leather accents:

Step 1: Cutting the Fabric

The first step is to cut the fabric pieces to the correct dimensions. This pillowcase is designed as an envelope style, featuring a front square and two overlapping rectangles for the back. Additionally, there are vinyl triangles and strips for added detail.

Fabric A (Faux Fur):

• Measure your pillow form.
• Cut a square from Fabric A that is one inch larger on each side than your pillow form. For example, if your pillow form is 21 inches across, cut a 22×22 inch square.

Fabric B (Non-Stretch Fabric):

• Cut two pieces of Fabric B.
• Each piece should measure the width of the pillow plus one inch, and the length of the pillow divided by two, plus six inches.
• For a 21-inch pillow form, each Fabric B piece should be 22 inches wide and 16.5 inches long (21 / 2 + 6 = 16.5).

Vinyl Details:

• Cut four right triangles, each 7 inches on each side.
• Cut strips of vinyl that are at least 1.5 inches wide for the piping detail. The length of the strips should be sufficient to cover the perimeter of the pillow.

Step 2: Hemming the Back Pieces

Next, hem the top edge of each Fabric B piece. This hem will create a clean finish for the envelope closure on the back of the pillow.

• Fold the top edge of each Fabric B piece over by 1/2 inch.
• Press the fold with an iron to create a crisp crease.
• Sew a straight stitch along the folded edge to secure the hem.

Step 3: Preparing the Piping

For this pillow, we’re creating a simplified version of piping without the need for cotton rope. This creates a clean and stylish border for the pillow.

• Fold each vinyl strip in half lengthwise, with the wrong sides together.
• Press the fold with an iron to create a crisp crease.
• Sew a straight stitch along the raw edge to close the piping.

Pro Tip: When sewing vinyl, it can sometimes stick to your sewing machine. To prevent this, cover the foot and plate of your sewing machine with strips of masking tape. This will help the vinyl glide smoothly under the needle.

Step 4: Attaching the Vinyl Triangles

Now, attach the vinyl triangles to the corners of Fabric A. These triangles add a touch of visual interest and a sophisticated detail to the pillow.

• Pin each triangle to each corner of Fabric A, aligning the raw edges and keeping both fabrics right side up.
• Sew along the two outer edges of each triangle, leaving the diagonal edge unsewn.

Step 5: Adding Fur Variation (Optional)

This step is optional, but it adds a unique touch to your DIY fur pillow by creating a dynamic fur pattern.

• Fold Fabric A in half and cut along the fold.
• Fold each half in half again and cut along the fold. You will now have four smaller squares.
• Rearrange the squares, rotating some of them to change the direction of the fur.
• Once you are happy with the arrangement, stitch the squares back together.

Step 6: Creating the Pillowcase Sandwich

Now it’s time to assemble the pillowcase. This involves creating a sandwich of the different fabric pieces and stitching them together.

• Lay Fabric A face up on your work surface.
• Pin the piping along the border of Fabric A, aligning the raw edges. As you approach each corner, fold the piping at a right angle to create a clean corner.
• Once you have covered the perimeter of the pillow with piping, cut the piping about an inch longer than needed. Overlap the ends and trim any excess.

Step 7: Assembling the Back Pieces and Sewing

The final step involves adding the envelope back pieces and sewing the entire pillowcase together.

• Lay each Fabric B piece face side down on top of Fabric A, aligning the raw edges. The hemmed edges should overlap in the middle of the pillowcase, creating the envelope closure.
• Pin all the layers together securely.
• Sew along all four sides of the pillowcase, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Be careful to avoid the pins as you sew!

Once you have sewn all four sides, carefully turn the pillowcase right side out. Gently push out the corners to create sharp, defined edges.

Final Touches

Now that your pillowcase is complete, it’s time to add the pillow form and admire your handiwork.

• Insert the pillow form through the envelope opening on the back of the pillowcase.
• Adjust the pillow form to ensure it fills the corners of the pillowcase evenly.

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Congratulations! You have successfully created your own DIY faux fur pillow with leather accents. This cozy and stylish pillow is the perfect addition to your fall decor. Enjoy the warmth and comfort it brings to your home.

Embracing the Fall Season

As summer fades away, embrace the cozy vibes of fall by adding handmade touches to your home decor. This DIY faux fur pillow project is a great way to welcome the season and create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your living space. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different colors, textures, and embellishments to create a pillow that perfectly reflects your personal style and adds a unique touch to your home.