How to Cut a Feather Cushion/Pillow - Professional Tips and Tutorial for all Levels

Unfortunately, I lost a bit of footage, not too important as it was towards the end of the project. When closing the new covers allow for a 1/4" or 1 cm hem which is topstitched into place on a 3.5 or 4 stitch length.
This video was made for the inserts of the Cushion/Pillow Makeover video.
I have been in the upholstery and interior decorating business for over 25 years, as well as teaching these subjects both privately and in colleges. I have drawn on my years' fo teaching to put this video together and hope to have answered all your questions
Please feel free to ask questions and I shall see if I can help.
Re-vamp that old feather pillow and have fun.

[@MJS415.]

Just what I needed! Thanks for the video!

[@beinspired1487]

Thank you for your feedback. I dislike dealing with feathers and came up with this idea years back to combat the mess of altering the size of down-filled pillows. Good luck with your project.

[@Mr24239115]

Great video, thanks for the good explanation on how to do this. I like to reuse rather than send to landfill....definitely going to try this👏👏

[@beinspired1487]

Thank you for the feedback. I came up with the idea as I really don't like dealing with feathers flying around they make my face itch like mad. As you say it saves things being put into the landfill if they can be repurposed. Good luck with your projects.

[@aalovelace2776]

Fantastic! Thank you!

[@beinspired1487]

Thank you, this method really keeps those feathers under control. Good luck with your project.

[@adrielrowley]

You did it Sally! No mess to speak of. Interesting feather quills shouldn't poke though, guess both sofas then didn't have ticking covers and not the fault of the filling.

[@beinspired1487]

Feathers will eventually poke through ticking, it is just the nature of feathers. I came up with this method while chatting with a friend.

[@judichristopher4604]

YOU are a genius! I am getting ready to hand make a Cloud Couch... and this will really come in handy. You are a God Send. Thank you so much for sharing this GREAT Video.

[@beinspired1487]

Thank you, this makes these videos worthwhile. I hope your project goes well for you, good luck

[@judichristopher4604]

@@beinspired1487 Thank you... I used to be a clothing designer... I designed a "Duster" Jacket for Jon Bon Jovi back in 1990... it made the news in the newspaper... (it really wasn't that big of a deal... he was in my hometown and I got to talk to him and his wife)... but it made my "Desperado Original Art" sore for awhile... I totally admire your sewing... I personally don't care to sew, I'd rather just design... LOL.. I also used to sew and design all of my daughter's costumes when she was in Drama on stage... Now that was fun. Thank you again for making such a great video...

[@beinspired1487]

@@judichristopher4604 I started out helping to make costumes for the dance school I was with, we would all chip in, designing, cutting them out, then sewing them together for the Pantos we were involved with as well as other performances during the year. I went on to making wedding dresses and ballgowns as well as alterations when I was 17, which is a great way to learn the trade. At 25 I went to college and worked at a local workshop to learn this trade, at 26 set up my first business. I think my only claim to fame was making slipcovers for Sir Alec Guinness's dogs to be able to sit on the sofa and not make a mess, as well as a few other projects for his wife. Shortening curtains for Lady "T" as well as other assorted items for "Old Money" Now I find it fits around my youngest son and his homeschooling. There are so many interesting people out there to work for.

[@judichristopher4604]

@@beinspired1487 "WOW" YOU are a legend! That is so Cool. It is amazing how much money people pay for a DOG Pillow!!! ... OR ... What is so funny is to look up buying a FLOOR Pillow... and if you put the word "YOGA" in front of that then the price is super high... $50. to $100. each!! Especially if they say the "Yoga Floor Pillow" is from India or (Like an India) floor pillow... I'm telling you... I'm in the wrong business... LOL Well, just a "Throw Pillow" is around $40. tp $60. ... WOW.

[@beinspired1487]

@@judichristopher4604 It is funny, I look at things in the shop and refuse to pay the price as it is often poorly made and I know I can do it better. After all, that is what people pay me to do. I like helping people to design their projects and just give advice as I feel many people can put together their own style, they just need someone to orchestrate it for them. This is why I decided to put these videos out and help to inspire people to try new things and projects. I also use a domestic machine to also let people know that for the most part, this is achievable on the equipment you have at home. I would suggest an electric staple gun rather than a handheld one, I don't have the strength in my hands for those.

[@sararichardson737]

I’d love a tutorial on how to convert 2 single feather pillows to one kingsize.

[@beinspired1487]

Thank you for your request. I don't often work with feathers, but I am sure I have a friend who will need something like that done. In the meantime, I will put my thoughts together and get ready to make the video. I will message you once it is done.

[@sararichardson737]

@@beinspired1487 Thank you. I’m a total novice (sewing) and rather hard up at the moment. I’ve been thinking on it and first off plan to hoover out the feathers ( with a hoover that blows and sucks) make up the liner to size then blow back in the feathers and seal/sew the lining. It’s going to be messing. i shall wait and see if you have some pointers as, like I said, I’m a sewing novice. I’ve some lovely feather and down pillows that I just don’t want to throw away but they look silly and cluttered on a kingsize bed.

[@beinspired1487]

@@sararichardson737 The lady who taught me said to place the item you are filling with feathers on a sheet of brown paper as it catches the feathers. I just remember looking at her and not saying a word as some of the feathers were flying around and onto the floor. The brown paper just showed up where the feathers had fallen. I will put on my thinking cap and come up with something to minimize the mess. I do promote using what you have and upcycling, rather than just popping it in the bin.

[@sweetlhh]

Can i use this technique on polyester pillow?

[@beinspired1487]

Thank you for the question. I would suggest you follow the instructions in this video as it shows you how to cut a fibre-filled pillow in half. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5_CYq2chJp4faM Good luck with your project.

[@ireneryan9801]

What kind of needle are you using? Where did you buy the needle.? Nice explanation

[@adrielrowley]

It looks like an upholstery needle which can be found here: smile.amazon.com/s?k=12+inch+uphostry+needle&ref=nb_sb_noss_2. Hope this helps.

[@beinspired1487]

The needle I was using came from a multi-packet of upholstery needles I had purchased from Joanne Fabrics or Hancocks when I first came here. I will look ou the packet and give you better details tomorrow.

[@beinspired1487]

The ones I used in the video are made by Dritz. It says Dritz Home on the packet and they are the Decorator's Needles. There were just three needles of different lengths, 4"/10.5 cm, 5"/13 cm, and 6 '/15.5 cm. I use them quite often but have found they bend with use. These are perfect for lightweight projects such as this application or attaching buttons to a pillow/cushion or even folding the fabric around the aluminium back tacking, but I wouldn't want to button a whole chair with them. They are not as strong as the old upholstery needles

[@ireneryan9801]

@@beinspired1487. Thank you very much!

[@beinspired1487]

@@ireneryan9801 Not a problem, I just wanted to give you information on the needles I was using in this project. If you are going to be doing a lot of upholstery, then I advise you to get proper upholstery needles as they wear better. Mine were my grandmother's, so are treasured and just go to show how good quality often lasts a long time.