How to Make Your Own Leather Pillows - faux leather pillows reviews and guide
Leather pillows can be an excellent way to accent leather furniture or add old world charm to a bedroom. However, with even faux leather pillows priced at twenty dollars or more, you may find these decorative pillows more than your budget can handle. A pillow is one of the easiest craft projects available so why not make your own? You will save money and be able to get a pillow that matches your specifications exactly, instead of being limited to the manufacturers' offerings.
When choosing your leather, consider the type of texture and coloring you want. If you prefer a softer, velvety texture, choose suede, chamois or Nubuck. If you want a more durable leather, bicast or coated leathers are a good option. If you are having difficulty finding the color you want, consider dying it yourself. When choose dye colors, make sure you are looking at finished samples rather than the color in the bottle. They are often distinctly different shades.
If dying fabric, apply dye and allow to dry thoroughly. Once dry, buff with a clean cloth. Finish by applying a leather conditioner or preservative.
Determine the size and shape you want your pillow to be. Square pillows are generally used to accent furniture. Large square pillows are made for use on the floor. Rectangular, bolster and round pillows are typically found in the bedroom.
Decide whether you want to use pillow forms or batting. Pillow forms are pre-shaped and only need to be covered with the fabric. They tend to hold their shape well. Batting allows you more versatility with shapes, but do not hold their shape over time as well as pillow forms do.
If doing a square or rectangular pillow, cut the leather into two pieces that are equal in size and shape. You want the leather pieces to be two inches longer and wider than you want your pillow to be. This is to allow for the seams when you sew the pillow.
Beading or other accent work on the pillow sides should be done at this point. For throw pillows that will be used in a living room, some people choose to sew a small pocket on the pillow. This allows them to store their remote in a handy location.
Lay the pieces together with right sides facing. You should be looking at the back side of the leather. Start at one corner and sew down the side, across the bottom and back up the opposite side. If you are using pillow forms, leave the top side open. If you are using batting, sew two-thirds of the way across the top.
Open fabric edges away from seams and use an iron on low heat to flatten them. Turn pillow right side out. Insert pillow form or batting and sew top edge closed.
Remember that leather pillows require care just like leather clothing, car upholstery and furniture. They should be dusted on a weekly basis. A lightly dampened cloth, ideally microfiber, can be used to wipe them down once or twice a month. Leather cleaner should be used three to four times a year and conditioner or preservatives every six to nine months.
Heather loves writing about leather. You can check out her latest articles on womens leather jackets buy visiting her newest website, leather jackets.
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