Make Decorative Pillows

The easiest and most affordable manner to add a touch of color to a room’s décor is with an assortment of decorative pillows. Color is one of the most attractive attributes of the decorative pillow, for here on a sofa we have the opportunity of creating a beautiful harmony in tone. Decorative throw pillows can be inexpensively crafted from small amounts of materials, including remnants of lavish fabrics, then embellished with an array of trimmings from ribbon and tassels to beading and buttons. If the fabric of the sofa is plain or muted there is a decorating opportunity for introducing a variety of colors upon the pillows. With a variation of textures, colors, and trimmings, throw pillows introduce a welcoming and informal atmosphere.

Pattern for Dazzling Decorative Pillow

This elegant needlework pattern features a mixture of beads and wool forming a charming design which is relieved by the brilliant background. Originally planned for a music stool or large ornamental table mat, it remains suitable for a unique and dazzling decorative pillow. In utilizing the design for a sofa pillow, the grounding must be continued beyond the scallops to the desired size. The pattern consists of a bouquet and leaves in the center, bordered by a wreath. The three roses are worked in beads; the one at the top being done in white glass, chalk, alabaster, and 3 shades of green beads; the other two roses in shades of brown, and the three different whites, with the addition of a few gold beads in the center. In working these roses a little taste must be exercised in the arrangement of the different beads. The green leaves surrounding the roses are done in the ordinary cross-stitch in Berlin wool.

Download Design for Pillow

We now come to the border, which is worked in the three different white beads, and gold and silver. The flowers in every other scallop are worked half in chalk and half in alabaster beads, with gold and steel in the center, the leaves and tendrils in white glass veined with gold, and the small flowers in alabaster and chalk, with steel centers. The beads for the roses in the center of the pattern are threaded separately, but those in the border are threaded in rows the length required; and caught down at intervals. This is a more expeditious method than if the beads were threaded individually, and, moreover, the work has a richer and fuller appearance. The grounding must be selected of the brightest possible shade, and worked in cross-stitch.

Materials for Decorative Pillow

First choose your type of pillow insert. Download free decorative pillow pattern. The materials required for making the wreath and bouquet in colorful wools and beadwork are: 2 oz. of chalk beads; 2 oz. of alabaster beads; 3 oz. of glass beads; a selection of smooth gold beads, No. 7; 4 rows of steel beads; 1 row each of 3 shades of brown beads; 1 row each of 3 shades of green; 1 skein each of 4 shades of blue-green wool; 1 skein each of 4 shades of dark green; a small amount of 2 shades of light green floss silk; 1 dozen skeins of very bright geranium or magenta wool, for the grounding; 3/8 yard of medium size canvas.