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How to make the farmhouse inspired flower pillow

Back in my Etsy days, my flower pillow was one of my all time best sellers. I’ve made so many of these pillows it’s practically insane. It’s pretty simple to make – but it does take a bit of patience. However it really was one of the prettiest things I made to order, and after I stopped selling them people started asking how I made them. So that’s what I’m sharing… how to make the flower pillow.

*this post contains affiliate links*

fluffy flower pillow

Flower Pillow Tutorial

Supply list:

  • muslin fabric
  • 1 premade pillow cover (or the fabric + zipper to make one)
  • 1 pillow insert
  • hot glue + gun

Tools:

  • fabric scissors
  • sewing machine
  • ruffler foot for sewing machine
  • a piece of glass (from a frame or an old plate would work)

cutting muslin

To start, you need 108 inch wide muslin (or 3 yards of any other fabric). You need three 4-inch strips. Just snip…

bleached muslin strips

…and rip.

muslin strips

Stitch the ends together, so you have one super long (at least 9 ft.) strip.

Ruffler foot

Now you’re going to use the ruffler foot for a sewing machine… unless you want to ruffle it by hand (and that’s cool, too.)

making ruffles

Fold the strip in half, putting the folded end into the ruffler.

sewing ruffles

Then ruffle it up! (My ruffler was set to ruffle every stitch, smallest gather, stitch length 4.0).

how to make a flower pillow

Once the fabric strips have been ruffled, it’s time to make the flower part of the flower pillow.

fabric flower tutorial

Take the end, and begin to roll it up. Not too tight, but good and snug.

making a fabric flower

After you get a couple of inches rolled, you’re ready to glue.

fabric flower

Using the hot glue gun, put down a dot, right on the seam line, and roll into it. Add another bit of glue every 2-3 inches, keeping it all held together.

rolling ruffles

You want to keep the folded edge as even as possible. It’s going to turn out a bit towards the end, but the closer together you keep it in the beginning, the better it will look.

large fabric flower

Once it’s too big to hold in one hand, flip it upside down and you’re going to start gluing every inch of it. Just run a bead of glue, then lay the ruffle down as you go. It’s much easier at this point because it holds itself up.

handmade pillow flower

Just glue & press the ruffle in until you get to the end. When you get to the end, just let it stop where it is, it’s ok, I promise.

huge fabric flower

See, the outer edges puff up a bit, but it just makes it prettier in the end.

burlap pillow cover

You have a pillow form ready, right? I’ve found burlap is the easiest. Just make your form, then find a piece of glass (mine came out of an old frame I made into a chalkboard). {Find instructions for a pillow cover here.}

how to make a pillow

Slide the glass inside the form, putting it under where you want the flower to be.

flower pillow

Now take your flower, and smother the backside of it in hot glue.

DIY pillow cover

Gobs of glue, I tell ya.

pillow

Now smush the flower right where you want it on front of the pillow cover (on top of the glass.) Hold it there for a sec to let the hot glue quit oozing.

ruffles

And now the magic happens….. after all those rounds of ruffles…

pretty pillow

It’s done!

florette pillow

Just pop in your pillow form and you’re good to go. And that’s how to make the big fat flower pillow.

easy DIY farmhouse flower pillow - what a great project! love the results she gets with a little scrap fabric!

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Filed Under: budget decorating, crafts, decorating ideas, DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Melissa says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:07 am

    Wow! Gorgeous pillow!! Thanks for the tutorial and for hosting!!!

    Reply
  2. Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:28 am

    I LOVE your flower pillow … thanks for sharing the tutorial. And thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  3. The Polka Dot Closet says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:39 am

    I book marked this flower…I love it, thank you for hosting, I think I linked up?

    Carol

    Reply
  4. poindextr says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:56 am

    hi Gina – that fabric flower makes a beautiful embellishment. I like how you have those soft edges. Thank you for hostessing and hope you’re having a wonderful week 🙂 diane

    Reply
  5. Sara says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:00 am

    Any tips for keeping the burlap “shedding” to a minimum?

    Reply
  6. Debby says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:13 am

    I am in love with this pillow……if I could just thread the bobbin.

    Reply
  7. Catie says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:26 am

    Wow!! I love that pillow. I’ll have to make a couple for my girls. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for hosting! The new button looks great. ~ Catie

    Reply
  8. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:27 am

    that came out really great! thanks for hosting this party.

    Reply
  9. Laura@Corner House says

    August 4, 2011 at 3:38 am

    Such a GREAT tutorial! I need to make like….well a ton of pillows for my house. This will be one of them.

    Reply
  10. Jaime Lyn at Crafty Scrappy Happy says

    August 4, 2011 at 3:49 am

    I really really like how your pillow turned out—thank you for sharing! :o) and I really like the black and white background as well! So clever and so simple! Anddd thank you always for being wonderful and hosting this party! I can’t wait to be inspired!
    Jaime

    Reply
  11. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    August 4, 2011 at 3:50 am

    Your pillow is really cute! I made one this week, too! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  12. Niesz Vintage Home says

    August 4, 2011 at 3:54 am

    Adorable pillow! Can’t wait to try that.
    And thanks for such a wonderful link party…I’m always inspired by all of the talented bloggers.

    Kimberly 🙂

    Reply
  13. Sandra says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:33 am

    Love the pillow! I will definitely have to make one sometime! Thank you for hosting! I think this is my first time participating, if not, then it’s been a long time. I’ve been away from blogging but trying to get back.
    Blessings,
    Sandra

    Reply
  14. Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Love that big fat rose pillow! Great job, as always.

    Reply
  15. About Vintage French Hen says

    August 4, 2011 at 6:39 am

    Hi Gina, Thanks for the tutorial, I love that pillow and now I know how to create my own! I’m happy to link up with you this week, Marcia

    Reply
  16. janet says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:00 am

    Hello Gina,

    I have been away caring for my Mom after cancer surgery, but I am back now and so happy to be joining your party.

    Love your flower pillow tute…looks so easy!

    I have so much Shabby Chic Cottage catching up to do…this may take all day ;->

    Happy Thursday
    Janet xox
    http://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  17. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:12 am

    Love the big fat flower pillow… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  18. Erica says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:43 am

    I love it, thank you for hosting!

    affordable medical insurance

    Reply
  19. Mary @ Redo 101 says

    August 4, 2011 at 11:54 am

    Love that pillow, and thanks for the tutorial! Thanks also for hostessing another great linky party!

    Reply
  20. Maury says

    August 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    What a great pillow! I am definitely going to make this for my sunroom. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  21. allison @ itstoilegood.blogspot.com says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    thanks for hosting! You just can’t go wrong with a big ole flower on a burlap pillow?! Loves!

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    August 4, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    You’re an angel! Thank you for posting the tutorial.

    Nancy

    Reply
  23. Kristen says

    August 4, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Thanks for hosting such a great party! I love the large photo icons – it’s so much easier to look through everyone’s submission!

    Kristen
    Turning a House into a Home

    Reply
  24. Kayla @ Small Town Life says

    August 4, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    OMG I love that pillow!! It’s gorgeous! Want to make me one?! 😉 Are you going to be offering it in your shop?

    Reply
  25. BJ_Mama says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    LOVE that FLOWER! And thanks for the great party!

    Reply
  26. Brayton Homestead Interiors says

    August 4, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    wow- thanks for the great tutorial- gotta try it!

    Karen

    Reply
  27. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    August 4, 2011 at 5:23 pm

    Thanks so much for hosting, Gina!!!! Love love love that photo of you smooshing the flower onto the pillow cover…;)

    Reply
  28. meg says

    August 4, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    i *love* this pillow! got some burlap the other day to make some pillows; you inspired me to embellish them 🙂 just stumbled upon your blog today and i love it! your newest follower!

    Reply
  29. Christine says

    August 4, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    It is a great pillow! Thanks for hosting, Gina…

    Reply
  30. Tracy says

    August 4, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    Love it! I linked up.. but couldn’t find a button. Am I missing it?

    Reply
  31. freckled laundry says

    August 5, 2011 at 4:57 am

    Pretty pillow, Gina! Thanks for hosting. xo Jami

    Reply
  32. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    August 6, 2011 at 12:03 am

    Hi Gina, Love the pillow and thank you for hosting! Have a great weekend.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  33. Ali says

    August 6, 2011 at 3:00 pm

    Thank you so much for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  34. colleen says

    August 6, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    i bought a ruffler and actually figured out how to use it ;).how fun now i’m going to make lots and lots of ruffles. thanks Gina

    Reply

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