Finishing a Mini Pillow - A Tutorial

We now have six monthly finishes and it's time to make up the first batch of mini pillows. 

This tutorial focuses on assembly of a mini pillow using 2 stitched pieces of mono canvas. 

Make sure that there is one row of back stitching around the design.  

IMPORTANT - ensure that the back stitch border is exactly the same number of stitches on both the top and bottom pieces.  Also make sure that the border is square (each side must have the same number of stitches.

Step 1 - trim the canvas so that there is 3 - 4 mesh threads between the stitching and raw edge of the canvas.  Miter the corners - make sure to leave 2 or 3 mesh threads to the raw edge.  Monocanvas frays easily.  Be very gentle with the raw edges.  If you notice some fraying or loose threads, gently tuck them into the pillow.

Step 2 - thread a needle with a coordinating perle 8 weight thread.  Start the thread on the wrong side of one of the pillows.  Draw the needle up to the right side, right at the corner.

 

Step 3 - Carefully fold the raw edges to the inside.  Ensure that the backstitched row is right along the edge.  

Step 4 - Bring your needle through the first backstitch on the corner of each side.  Using a whip stitch, bring your needle through each back stitch, working along each side.  Gently tighten the whip stitches by snugging the thread after 4 or 5 stitches.  This will draw the two sides together and will give a nice tidy seam between the two sides.   Work the whip stitch around the pillow.    Make sure that the two sides stay aligned.  

As you go around the corner, you can add an extra stitch or two.  This can help with hiding any loose/frayed canvas threads (tuck the frayed edges in when you snug the threads).

   

 

Step 5 - When you have an opening around 1 1/2" to 2" long, stop stitching and fill the mini pillow with either quilt batting or plastic poly pellets (I like the poly pellets as they give some weight to the mini pillow). I have an old funnel that works quite well!  Fill the pillow quite full.

   

Step 6 - whip stitch the hole closed.  Don't let any of the pellets escape!  Finish your thread by weaving your needle through previous whip stitches.  Finish the thread with a couple of knots and draw the end through to the inside of the pillow in a non stitched area.  Pull the thread snugly and then snip it (the end should pull back into the pillow shape.  You are done!!

 

Join our community of stitchers on Facebook

Throughout 2026, Lisa has been stitching her own set of mini-pillows and has been posting articles articles in the blog about her thread and colourway decisions and stitching progress.  She is also frequently posting in our private FB Group - Freda's Fancy Stitchers

When your join our private Freda’s Fancy Stitchers group on Facebook, you can get advice, encouragement and ideas for customizing your project as you are stitching.  Lisa often posts in this group! (NOTE: to keep our FB group safe and secure, security questions must be answered prior to admittance).