Easy Pom-Pom Pillow DIY Project

I used to be obsessed with matching when I was younger. When I first decorated my room after we renovated our house, I was obsessed with having everything match. I had a desk for the first time, so I needed all my office supplies to match. I had the Dokument collection from IKEA, and since I was obsessed with everything matching, I needed to have ALL of it. The garbage can was fine, I did need that. The magazine holders, well I guess so, I had some magazines to put in them. The post it holder - totally could have done without that. But I think the most ridiculous thing was the filing holder. I was 15, what could I possibly be filing?!

As it turns out, the filing cabinet became an excellent cat bed, so not a total waste of money maybe?

Anyways, I like to think my obsessive need to match has gotten a lot better. The last time that I made pillows, these scrap fabric geometric pillows to be exact, they didn’t perfectly match! So I took that inspiration and made a pom-pom pillow or two! I used the pom-pom trim in two different ways so while they do go together, they aren’t super matchy matchy. Each pom-pom pillow works with the pillows that I have already made by using similar fabric and colours. I also have pom-pom trim on my duvet cover that I made, so it’s nice to have another colour and size of the trim too.

I used fabric that I had lying around from my duvet and scrap fabric projects. The pom-pom trim came from a failed shorts project, so I was glad I was able to find a use for it. Even if you have to buy the supplies, these still come together super fast and are super cute!

Here’s how I did them:

Pom-pom Pillow with a Border

For this pillow, I cut out a square of fabric slightly bigger than the stuffing as well as two pieces of fabric for the envelope back. These pieces should overlap slightly.
My fabric already had finished edges because I cut it from a sheet, but if you need to, hem the edges of the fabric to finish them.
I then took my front piece and pinned the pom-pom trim around the edge. Make sure the pom-poms are facing inwards and stitch the trim slowly onto the fabric using a zipper foot!
Once that’s done, overlap the backing pieces slightly, pin them to the front with right sides together and sew around the perimeter with the zipper foot.
Lastly, turn the pillow case inside out and insert your pillow!

Pom-pom Pillow with Horizontal Trim

Cut out the same pieces that you did for the first pillow - one front piece and two pieces for the envelope back.
Take the front piece and pin a row of pom-pom trim in a straight, horizontal line across the top half of the pillow.
Sew the trim on as straight as you can using your zipper foot. Then pin a second line of trim about 1cm on top of the second, staggering the pom-poms. Sew with the zipper foot.
Once that’s done, overlap the backing pieces slightly, pin them to the front with right sides together and sew around the perimeter with the zipper foot.
Finally, turn the pillow case inside out and insert your pillow!

Congrats, you now have two different, but equally cute pillows to add to your space!

I love how the pillows finally look cohesive now without having to match! I know I didn’t go too crazy with the not matching, but it’s just enough for me 🙂

You can do any combination of colour and patterns to suite your space. The pom pom trim would actually also look really cute with a polka dot fabric or another pattern. Also feel free to switch up how you attach the trim to the pillows! Try doing 3 rows of pom pom trim across the pillow or maybe double up on the trim around the border. Maybe even use a couple different sizes of pom poms!

Do you always have to have things match in your home, or are you more into mixing all different patterns and textures? Let me know!

xo, tess.