How to Make a Pillow From a Wedding Dress

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Things You'll Need

  • Sewing ripper

  • Scissors

  • Measuring tape

  • Pillow insert

  • Iron

  • Pins

  • Sewing marking pen

  • Sewing machine

  • Thread

  • Needle

Recycle wedding dresses into memorable pillows.

After the wedding, the dress usually ends up packed away in the closet never to see the light of day again. Whether the dress belongs to you or a family member, transforming it into a pillow prolongs the memorable day. Many wedding dresses include embellishments such as lace, satin, beadwork, or other ornamental features. These items turn an ordinary handcrafted pillow into something fancy. Giving family members a wedding dress pillow allows them to have a part of your special day they can remember for years to come.

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Step 1

Dry clean or wash the wedding dress before disassembling it. Clean dresses that have been stored for a long time so you can work with clean, stain-free fabric.

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Step 2

Use scissors to cut out the section of fabric from the dress.

Disassemble the portion of the wedding dress you are using for the pillow. Use a sewing ripper and gently pull apart threads holding seams, lacework or beading on the dress. Cut out the section of the dress you are using to cover the pillow.

Step 3

Measure the pillow's width and length.

Measure the pillow's width and length. You then know how much of fabric from the dress you need to cover the pillow insert.

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Step 4

iron the wedding dress fabric.

Iron the wedding dress fabric. Remove any wrinkles so the fabric lays flat. Iron the lace so that it lies flat and is wrinkle-free.

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Step 5

Add 2 inches to your measurements for seams.

Add 2 inches to your pillow's width and length measurement allowing for seams. For example, if your pillow measures 10 inches long and wide, adding 2 inches leaves you with a final measurement of 12 inches by 12 inches.

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Step 6

Double the fabric and pin it together.

Double the wedding dress fabric and put it on a flat surface. Pin the two thicknesses of fabric together to keep it from slipping. Mark the measurements on the fabric using a sewing pen and cut out the two pillow panels.

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Step 7

Position the lace on the fabric panel.

Position your lace on the right side of one fabric panel, allowing the extra to hang off each side. Consider placing the lace across the panel horizontally, vertically, or stretched from one top corner to the opposite bottom corner. Consider using two or three strips of lace across the pillow.

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Step 8

Pin the lace in its appropriate place on top of the pillow panel. Trim off the excess so the lace is even to the panel's edge.

Step 9

Sew the lace in place on the panel.

Sew the lace in place on the panel. Make the stitch as close to the lace edge as possible to hold it down.

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Step 10

Sew a 1-inch seam around three sides of the panel.

Place both panels together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the panels together. Sew a 1-inch seam around three sides of the panel and unpin.

Step 11

Turn the panels right side out and place the pillow insert inside. Turn the raw edge of the open seam towards the inside and pin it together. Hand stitch it closed or sew a seam approximately 1/8 inch from the edge. Remove the pins.

Step 12

Sew on beading to enhance the pillow.

Hand stitch any embellishments from the wedding dress on the pillow or lace. Sew on beading or fabric flowers to enhance the pillow.

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