While the boys and I were wandering the aisles of Target, I spotted this beautiful Fieldcrest pillow.
The only color Target carries is this grey, and we don’t have much, if any, grey in our house. After inspecting it for a few minutes, I felt confident that I could create something similar. Luckily, Joann Fabric is within walking distance of Target, so that was our next stop. I bought a relatively thick light blue fabric on clearance, then we went home and got to work.
To make a herring bone textured pillow, you’ll need:
Fabric, at least two and a half times as much as the pillow size you want.
Pins
An iron
Pillow stuffing or a pillow form
Optional:
Hem tape
To make the pillow, first, cut strips of fabric into rough 4 inch wide pieces. I made strips that were the entire length of my two yard piece. Cut several strips, then fold in half and iron to create a nice, straight edge. I chose to add hem tape, just to make sure things couldn’t move around when I started sewing.
Once you have your strips pressed, cut a piece of fabric one inch larger than the desired finished pillow size; this is the backing piece you will sew your strips to. Fold in half or measure to find the center of the fabric. Mark with a pen or pencil.
Now you’re ready to start cutting, pinning and sewing. Place the first strip of fabric at a 45 degree angle from your center line. Trim the end to match the edge of the pillow. You don’t have to do this, but it will help keep everything straight. Pin in place. Place another strip over the top of the first piece, but make a 90 degree angle. Cut the bottom piece at the end of the one on top. You will sew over it, but you don’t want the pieces to be short. 
Keep overlapping pieces, pinning in place. I would suggest doing a few at a time, then remove and sew into place. Allign the edge of your presser foot with the folded edge of the strip and sew one at a time. Make sure your pattern stays straight and your pieces are overlapping in the same order.
Repeat until you reach the other end.
Follow this tutorial to create an envelope closure, then stuff and enjoy!
To see other pillow ideas, check out this felt circle pillow cover I recently shared or these inspiration ideas from Etsy.
els
/ November 5, 2010Lady, you are BRILLIANT!!!
Albita
/ November 5, 2010wow great job! i learned to sew and fell in love with it when i first got my own place and wanted to make pillows and curtains on a budget!
that’s a great replica!
Ashley
/ November 5, 2010this looks beautiful!! Gret DIY!
tz
/ November 5, 2010great job!
Debar
/ November 5, 2010WOW! That looks wonderful! What a great idea AND you were able to customize. I wish someone would teach me how to use the sewing machine that I have in my closet
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 5, 2010You know what? I’m really not that great at sewing. I can only do straight lines and simple projects. I’ve never attempted a slipcover for something or a round pillow and I’m a little intimidated. BUT, you can definitely make a simple pillow cover to get your bearings before diving into something like this. It’s not difficult, just a little time consuming. Definitely give it a shot.
Amanda
Amber O.
/ November 5, 2010Love this! I bookmarked this post for when I get my sewing machine fixed. Thanks for the tutorial!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 5, 2010Wow! I didn’t realize this would be such a hit. Thanks for such great, nice comments, everyone!
Amanda
christina
/ November 5, 2010OMG that’s it… I need to buy some pillow forms and start making pillow covers… I loved your felt circle one and I love love love this pattern as well! And you make it look so easy
Thanks for the inspiration!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 5, 2010Hi Christina,
You definitely should! Pillow covers are pretty easy to make, they’re cheap and you can easily change them out with the season or when you are bored. As if that wasn’t reason enough, you can use bold colors becuase they’re small. Glad you found some inspiration.
Thanks!
Amanda
Mary
/ November 5, 2010I love this pillow! You did such a great job. Who would have thought something so simple would look so great??
Gina
/ November 5, 2010OMG!! This is soo cool and I love it, along with your felt circle one! i am so wanting to try both of these! you are so inspiring and I love it!
thanks for being so cool!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 5, 2010I’m glad it’s a hit! They’re both a little time consuming, but easy to do, so I definitely think you should give them a try. Thank YOU for being cool enough to read my blog
Amanda
alissa@33shadesofgreen
/ November 5, 2010Wow – what a beautiful pillow. Thanks for the inspiration – I’d love to try this!
Beverly
/ November 5, 2010This is a beautiful pillow! Thanks so much for the clear tutorial – I’ve always wanted to do a pillow like this. Yours turned out great!
Tamara@Etcetorize
/ November 5, 2010Wow, I love the way it looks! You did a great job~
Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
/ November 5, 2010This is really lovely. I can’t believe you figured this out just by staring at a pillow at Target for a few minutes! It looks very complicated, but it doesn’t sound too bad. Nice job!
Finding Home
/ November 5, 2010Oh how I wish I had the patience to sew and create these type of projects. So beautiful, and probably more so than the Target pillow because it is hand crafted! Well Done!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 5, 2010Thanks for all of the amazing comments! Really, I’m stunned and blushing over here.
Gwen,
I have no clue if this is how it should be done, but it worked, so I went with it.
Finding Home,
You know, it’s not too difficult. I usually HATE ironing things. For some reason, that’s really tedious to me, but this was okay because you’re hiding the rough edges. The most time consuming part of this project was placing the strips. I just eyeballed it and used my center line as a guide to keep everything straight and it was pretty easy. But, yes, I do have a lot of patience for time consuming projects. Almost to a fault. Ben thinks I’m crazy for it, but I love the end results, so it’s worth it.
If anyone tries this and finds the tutorial helpful, I would love to hear from you!
Thanks!!
Amanda
NotTheBlandings
/ November 6, 2010Your pillow is fabulous! I’ve been looking at ideas for some focal throw pillows for our bedroom, and this is just perfect. Now to find the right fabric
Thank you!
Nikki
Chandeen Santos
/ November 7, 2010This pillow idea is great! I made the round pillow one too (before I read your blog). If I make one more pillow my husband will kill me, but I have my eye out for a good old sweater for one anyway. I have been reading your blog for a while now and I’m so happy you got such a good response. It is nice to see people’s blogs succeed.
heather s.
/ November 8, 2010Love it! I think I like yours even more than the one at Target – great job!!
Jennifer L.
/ November 9, 2010So amazing! You’re very talented!
kelly branderhorst
/ November 9, 2010shut the front door! that pillow is amazing – nice work!
Farah Muzaffar
/ November 9, 2010Totally impressive, I am a lover of pillows and cushions, and yours are the best. sure soon I ll make it. Thanks a lot for sharing such a nice idea..
I hope you would like to spare a little bit of your time to me at
http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
Love
Farah
Farah Muzaffar
/ November 10, 2010Hello Amend I am truly in love with your this pillow, I share it on my FB page…
Caroline
/ November 10, 2010I see i’m not the only one recreating pillows seen in stores or online
Yours looks great !
Carrie
/ November 11, 2010Love. It. It really stood out among the entries on CSI, too! I like that it’s simple yet elegant. I might even need to try to make it myself. Thanks for sharing!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 11, 2010Thanks, Carrie! Both the Herringbone and Felt circle pillows were relatively simple to make, just time consuming. I’d love to see yours if you decide to give them a try.
Thanks!
Amanda
Kelly
/ November 20, 2010I made one as a pillow case with an invisible zipper. Thanks for the idea!
ourhumbleabowed
/ November 20, 2010Kelly,
Your pillow looks great! I’m glad you found some inspiration! Thanks for stopping by to share it with us.
Amanda
Elizabethdx
/ February 8, 2011Found your pillow and fabulous tutorial through Sew Mama Sew — it is fabulous!! THank you so much for being so generous in sharing your techniques. I would never have figured this one out on my own, and now I cannot wait to make it.
ourhumbleabowed
/ February 8, 2011Hi Elizabethdx,
Glad you found us! I’m even happier that you can USE the tutorial! If you make a pillow, please share the final products with us on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Our-Humble-ABowed/120919047970619
Happy sewing!!
Amanda
Kathryn
/ February 8, 2011Great tutorial! I’ve been looking for a textured pillow to make for our bedroom. This is perfect. Thanks for sharing. P.S. I found your blog via SMS.
Patz
/ February 11, 2011Perfect! I am a beginner with a sewing machine, and was looking for a present for a very dear friend: found it!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m looking for perfect fabric and making this… Merci
best pillow for neck pain
/ December 25, 2011awesome tutorial. Amazing pillow, will making a few of these in my spare time. Many thanks
Judy
/ May 14, 2012Great tutorial. I will be pinning this and hopefully making it soon.