bed wedge pillow

DIY VIDEO TUTORIAL – How to Upholster a Bed Wedge Pillow

Making your own DIY bed wedge pillow is a simple project that you can use with various fabrics. Watch this video tutorial and follow these steps:

Materials Needed

  • Fabric (soft ribbed velvet, soft chenille, or Sunbrella for outdoor pillows)
  • Zipper
  • Loose Dacron filling (about 10 lbs)
  • Sewing machine
  • Staples or fabric clips
  • Measuring tape
  • Scissors
  • Twine or heavy-duty thread
  • Buttons (10 total: 5 for the front and 5 for the back)
  • Needle (for threading buttons)

Step 1: Cutting the Wedges

  1. Cut two wedge-shaped pieces of fabric. Each wedge should measure 11 inches high by 21 inches wide.
  2. Measure 3 inches from one side of each wedge and cut diagonally to create the tapered wedge shape.
  3. Ensure the fabric’s nap (direction of the fabric texture) matches on both wedges.

Step 2: Cutting the Pockets

  1. Cut two pocket pieces, each 11 inches wide by 7 inches high.
  2. These pockets will later be attached to the wedge shapes to hold small items like a phone or remote.

Step 3: Preparing the Main Panel

  1. Measure the perimeter of the wedge shape to determine the size of the main panel. For example, if the perimeter is 54 inches, the main panel should measure 54 inches by 48 inches.
  2. Cut the fabric accordingly, trimming any rough edges or selvage for a clean finish.

Step 4: Creating the Zipper Panel

  1. Cut two fabric strips for the zipper panel:
    • One strip: 4 inches wide
    • Second strip: 7 inches wide
    • Both strips should match the width of the fabric, 54 inches.
  2. Cut the zipper to match the panel length, leaving a little extra length for adjustments.

Step 5: Sewing the Zipper

  1. Fold the edges of the fabric strips over about ¾ inch and place them over the zipper, ensuring the zipper is positioned further back from the wedge’s front edge.
  2. Sew each strip to the zipper, keeping stitches approximately ¼ inch from the edge.
  3. Once sewn, trim the zipper panel to 9 inches tall.

Step 6: Assembling the Main Body

  1. Attach the main body panel to the zipper panel, creating one continuous fabric circle. Temporarily secure it with staples or fabric clips before sewing.

Step 7: Attaching the Pockets

  1. Finish the top edge of each pocket with a clean seam.
  2. Place each pocket on top of the wedge shapes, aligning the edges. Cut the pocket fabric to match the wedge shape.
  3. Sew the pockets to the wedges.

Step 8: Attaching the Wedges

  1. Match the slanted edges of the wedges to the front of the cushion, aligning them with the zipper panel.
  2. Secure the wedges to the main body with staples or clips before sewing.
  3. To sew around corners, make small “easement cuts” along the fabric edges to ensure a smooth curve.

Step 9: Filling the Pillow

  1. Stuff the pillow with loose Dacron filling. Use about 10 lbs for a firm and comfortable feel.
  2. Adjust the filling to ensure even distribution.

Step 10: Adding Buttons

  1. Mark the placement of the buttons using pins:
    • Find the exact center of the cushion.
    • Measure 14 inches from the bottom seam and space buttons 9 inches apart.
  2. Thread the twine through each button and the pillow, ensuring the front and back buttons align.
  3. Pull the twine tight to secure the buttons, but not too tight to cause unevenness. Tie a slip knot to hold the buttons in place.

Step 11: Finishing Touches

  1. Close the zipper slider with a small patch of fabric sewn over the ends to prevent it from sliding off.
  2. Ensure the zipper slider tucks neatly into the seam for a clean finish.
  3. Adjust the filling once more to ensure everything looks even and smooth.

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