Looking for a quick and easy way to fluff up your old flat pillows? Check out this easy DIY.
My family room couch is old. We've had it for almost fifteen years and we use it every day. It's held up pretty well, with the exception of one, um...mishap, but the pillows? Oh the pillows. Well, now that's a totally different story.
They had been well loved over the years and it showed. They were saggy and flat, deflated, uncomfortable to rest on, but beyond that ~ and more importantly at least to me ~ they were ugly.
They made the whole couch look tired, old and worn. Clearly something had to be done.
But what?
At first, I considered buying brand new ones, but pillows can be expensive. Plus, finding the perfect color and pattern on the shelf to go with a floral couch? Impossible.
Next, I thought about making new pillows, but the fabric I chose was nearly identical, so why bother with all that work?
The current flat pillows came with couch. It was a custom order, so I picked the fabric and the coordinating trim which was lovely, they matched perfectly. It'd be silly to mess with them.
So I decided to swap out the pillow forms with brand new fat and fluffy ones instead. It's a process that would work on any flat pillow you have...your own or perhaps a thrift shop or yard sale find. If the cover is in good shape, it's totally worth it.
Of course, my pillows didn't come with a zipper. That would've made this DIY so much easier, but that's ok. It was still a rather simple fix, since the manufacturer's seams were very evident. I find that to be the case on most throw pillows.
Once I located the seam they used to close the pillow, I used my seam ripper to gently open it up.
I removed the old form and decided to wash my covers while I had the chance. I turned them inside out and did not put them in the dryer. I washed one as test to make sure it didn't shrink. If I had been really worried, I could've sent them to the dry cleaner, but I'm cheap and they washed just fine.
When they were totally dry, I stuffed them with new forms. My pillows measured 18" and 20", so I bought 20" and 22" forms. You always want a form that's about 2" larger than your pillow cover. That will give you have a very full pillow...exactly what I was craving.
Once my pillow was stuffed, I pushed and pulled the form until it fit perfectly into the corners. Then I stitched those old seams back up.
Now, I used a machine. It was a bit of a struggle, which is nothing new with my machine, but this time it wasn't due to technical difficulties. The pillow forms were very large and bulky to maneuver, but once I got the hang of it, it was quick work.
In the past, I have hand stitched the pillows closed. That works, too. It really comes down to whatever you're more comfortable doing.
My new seams are actually less conspicuous than the original ones, even if they aren't perfectly straight. But who's looking?
When I was done, not only did I have four new fluffy throw pillows, I also had a much nicer looking couch. Fresher. Dare I say almost new.
Of course, there is that matter of the patch on the arm.
I can still see it from here.
Although it is slightly less conspicuous with all those soft and fluffy pillows.
Slightly.
Are your pillows flat?
I love that DIY. Right up my alley. I was wondering if you used the zipper foot to make the sewing easier. And I absolutely LOVE the rose patterned fabric in one of your pics with the HARVEST stencil. Did you make it? If so, where can I get the fabric. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I did not use the zipper foot. I am such a lazy seamstress and a very poorly educated one at that. Everything I know is self taught, trial and error. I should take a lesson! I did make the Harvest pillow but I bought the stencil at JoAnn crafts. I bought the fabric there as well. It's Waverly Norfolk Rose. Hope that helps and thanks for the visit!
DeleteGood job! And don't worry about the patch. Who cares?!! It's a keeper couch no matter what.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda and yes, I do agree about the couch. I love it too much to let it go. Thanks for the visit and the comment!
DeleteOh, what a timely post! I was just commenting last night on our frumpy couch pillows and how they'd lost their youthfulness. We also had ours custom made to match and they have no zippers, so I will be following your instructions! Now where is that patch on the arm??? :)
ReplyDeleteOh why do they not use zippers! I know that it's more expensive, but I think most people would be willing to pay the extra few bucks for an easier swap. Have fun! And that patch...haha. I can't NOT see it!!
DeleteThey look great. Terrific fix.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorri! It was a pretty easy swap!
DeleteAwesome Kim. You gave new life to your pillows with an easy fix. Great job.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thanks Kris! I am happy that they're fluffy again. It really bothered me. It's the little things I guess. xo
DeleteGreat job!! Especially sewing the openings back up by machine. I know that had to be a struggle. I had a couple flat couch pillows. Fortunately they have zippers. I managed to find an ugly but correct size throw pillow for a better price than buying a pillow form. I unstuffed one flat pillow, put the throw pillow in that cover. Then I took that stuffing and added it to the other flat couch pillow. Voila! Two not-flat pillows for the price of one!
ReplyDeleteFabulous Kathy! What a great idea...and you're right. The inserts are not cheap and I went to an industrial reupholstery shop to get them. I wanted really sturdy fat pillows. I'll have to see if it was really worth it...I have my doubts!
DeleteWhat a great idea! You totally transformed that couch. How about, on the arm, an arm cover sort of like people used to put doilies (I think). That would cover it maybe.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I have been considering that, Brenda, thanks! It’s a great excuse to learn to crochet!
DeleteWhat a great idea Kim! Your pillows look fab!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! It wasn't too bad and I love the results!
DeleteA fluffy pillow makes all the difference! Yours look great, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cecilia. I'm happy with this DIY...and glad it's over. 😉
DeleteWhat a great idea - if you can sew! ;-) You are so handy and thrifty. Your "new" pillows look great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie! While my husband and I were wrestling the pillows through the machine he asked me why we couldn’t just bring them to the dry cleaner to have them stitch up the holes. I probably could’ve. They hem a dress for $10, this couldn’t be much more!
DeleteYou would NOT want to see those pillows had I sewn them, my friend - I'm a disaster with a needle and thread. Great job and I'm sure you were delighted to freshen them up in the washing machine as well! I love that I can swap out my pillow covers and wash them regularly because my pups smash the heck out of them and spend more time on them than I do, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteZippers, Debbie!! Every pillow ever made should come with a zipper! It's 2018. We have cars that drive themselves. I don't know why this is such a challenge for pillow makers. 😉
DeleteYou've made a brilliant job on these Kim, and the colour is just terrific.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thanks Jan. I am very happy with them now, fluffy and comfy!
DeleteGood tip about buying a slightly larger pillow form. They look great and definitely brand new again. Don't you love a good refresher like that?
ReplyDeleteMy friend used to make curtains and covers for upholstery and she gave me all her tips. This was a good one!
DeleteThank you, Kim. I have a pillow my sister made for us that is getting flat. Perfecting timing in helping me out. :-)
ReplyDeleteCarla
Oh great, Carla! I love when people find a fix.
DeleteI have done the same thing, Kim. I have even used those inexpensive bed pillows from Walmart which tend to run small ($3.88 each). and used them whole inside the pillow---you get a nice fat pillow that way, too. I love your pillows and couch. They are just lovely and timeless! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteNow that is a brilliant idea, Diana! These babies weren’t cheap…I went to a reupholstery shop to get the professional ones, fat and sturdy so they’d last. We’ll see. I probably would’ve done better at Walmart!
DeleteWow, Kim, they look so good and just like new on the sofa. I love your sofa and I think the floral is so much prettier than some of the plain ones today. I bought a couple of pillows from Home Goods and really like the stuffing in them. Little did Miss Cheapie know that that was down. So I have been ordering one or two at a time from Wayfair, as they are a little more expensive but I really do like them. Putting them on my cheapie covers (one of which I see about Spring at the bottom of your post but is too late to order) they really look nice. Maybe if I get enough pillows I can cover my plain old couch and it will look like flowers! Great idea for summer. You do inspire me. Happy Week to you..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteDown is lovely. There is nothing like the feel. Of course, I am allergic and believe it or not the really decent down alternatives and more expensive than down!! How is that possible. Needless to say, we don’t buy those. Maybe that’s why mine are flat. You get what you pay for… Happy week to you, too! xo
DeleteGreat idea and now they look brand new!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristi! When the machine behaves, things are so easy!
DeleteGreat refresher, Kim. Looks nice. And that sofa patch, well people barely even notice. Your place always looks so nice (well, I know you have kids, so prob'ly not always LOL) but great in the pictures :D
ReplyDeleteIn pictures, Cheryl! 😉 Although I do like an orderly house, can't relax until it's just so. Think it's genetic!
DeleteWay to go girl! The couch looks new with poofy new pillows. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Poofing my pillows!! 😉
DeleteGreat, great idea!! I do switch out old pillows with new inserts, but only ones with zippers. So wish I could sew!!
ReplyDeletejane x
Zippers are amazing, Jane and every pillow should have one! xo
DeleteI do dislike a flat pillow but a nice new fluffy one is great. Sometimes I find just washing and drying the fluff up nicely for me! Great job on making yours stand out and look so nice.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much...and yes, I totally agree, Pam! Next time maybe I should try that first!!
DeleteWhy have I never thought about buying a slightly bigger pillow form?! I love that full look! I’ve been making plans to makeover a few pillows, so this is timely help!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim!
It makes a real difference, Deanna!
DeleteThey do look fluffy and soft! I usually just grab the pillow and smash it a few times against something and then squeeze it a few times. Doesn't produce the best result but I'm too lazy to do anything else. Its amazing what a new insert will do to the pillows appearance. Way to refresh those throw pillows.
ReplyDeleteThanks Audra! Smashing and squeezing are my go to fluffing methods. I think that once we passed the decade mark, it was all over! Hopefully I won't have to think about flat pillows for another ten! Ha.
DeleteWell, how timely!! and great minds do run in the same channels! I went home at lunch and put a new pillow in an old case....and here you are doing the same thing!! I will "redily" admit that mine are nowhere near as pretty as yours...they are black/gray and yellow!, but they look okay in a room that has yellow bedding! Of course, the back-ground is white, because a certain princess Posie sleeps on the pillow most of the day!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you,
J
Great minds indeed, J! And that sounds like a fabulous lunch break. Btw…I don’t have a princess Posie, but I do have a handsome husband and he like to sleep on my pillows, too. UN-poofing them in the process! xo
DeleteBeautiful. Happy Easter Kim.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sandra! And Happy Easter to you, too.
DeleteThanks Teri! Very fluffy now. And so much better.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful pillows, Kim. Well done, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mia! 😊
DeleteI love your clever, resourceful mind. I'm sure that as soon as I get up and look around all my pillows will suddenly look flat as pancakes.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
You, my friend, are the clever one. I have seen your projects and there's not a pancake among them. xo
DeleteOh my yes, our couch pillows lost their poofiness a loooong time ago. They're all looking so sad. Oh wait I think that's a large crease :D I really need to do this with ours too Kim. Thanks for the easy, budget friendly idea
ReplyDeleteI couldn't take it anymore, Michelle, they were so saggy and sad. They look much better now and honestly, it was a pretty simple DIY. Thanks for the sweet words and the visit!
DeleteWell done, Kim. They look great. Hope you have a wonderful Easter!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Happy Easter to you, as well. 😊
DeleteWhat a difference it made. Love the pillows that have bounce! Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteMaria
Thanks Maria! They certainly do have bounce. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
DeleteIt makes the pillows and the couch look brand new! I have pretty much swapped out all of my regular pillow forms for feather ones from IKEA...very reasonably priced and you can literally slap and pound them into fluffy-submission!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely Easter, Kim!
Warm hugs, Carol
Oh, feathers sound lovely, Carol and you are the pillow expert so I believe that they are the best way to go. Too bad my allergies prevent me from having them. They sure are soft though. Happy Easter to you and a lovely weekend to boot! xoxo
DeleteUnfortunately I don't sew, but I have friends who do and I could probably barter with them! Have a Happy Easter, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a plan Ricki! My husband even suggested we run them up to the dry cleaner to have them stitch the holes closed. I thought that was genius. Of course, I didn't do it. I'm a glutton when it comes to that machine!
DeleteHi Kim, you did a great job with the pillows. Now they are nice and fat and fluffy. I still did not notice the end of the couch until you mentioned it. No one can notice it unless they are really inspecting the couch. I know we like things perfect but at least you had a great solution for the rip. It's so nice that you are handy and a great sewer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Have a nice week.
Julie
Thanks so much, Julie, you really are too sweet! At this point I am beginning to "not see" the couch repair. I think the pillows help. 😊
Delete