Looking to add a bit of luxury and quirkiness to your home décor? Well in today’s post I have you covered and show you how to make a shell pillow. The best bit is, the pattern is absolutely free to make it!

I like to change up and add to my décor frequently. For a while, I have been wanting to make a decorative pillow using beautiful velvet fabric. Well, today is the day that we do it, and I will show you how to make a shell pillow for your home.

This is a quick and simple make, with the best bit being the pattern for it is absolutely free. Stitch Witch Patterns have a great shell pillow pattern that is pretty and easy to sew. This is the pattern I am using today to make my shell cushion, and I will talk (write) you through making yours. Now technically, you do not have to use this pattern, I just found it easier to do. If you do not want to use it, you can find a shell shape online. Resize it and print it out. This will then be your pattern piece to follow, similar to how to make a crown cushion. (Incidentally, this was the first sewing project to hit the blog!)

I have deviated slightly from the pattern instructions, and therefore my pillow looks slightly different to what the finished one on Stitch Witch does. I misread the instructions and missed a step out of it, so for the sake of this tutorial, I will pop that step as optional.

So, if you would like to make a shell pillow, then let’s get crafting!

How to Make a Shell Pillow

This project is really versatile, and you can make the pillow or cushion in so many fabrics. I like the luxe look of velvet, and therefore this was my fabric of choice. I have had it in my stash for a long time, and actually made a few other items in the blue version…DIY fabric planter and Christmas Gnomes.

That aside, you want to make sure your fabric is durable enough to be a cushion, but you can get so creative with this. Simply use fabric stabiliser, like iron-on interfacing for any delicate fabric, like satin for example.

What you need:

To make a shell pillow you will need the following items. Some items on this list are affiliate and are marked with an asterisk (*).

• Shell Pillow Pattern or Image/Self drafted Shell Pattern
• Fabric of choice. I used this velvet*
• Lining Fabric (cotton)
• Batting (or pillow protector*)
• Pillow stuffing
• Matching cotton
• Decorative Topstitch Thread* (Optional)
• Sewing Machine
• Sewing pins* or Clips*

Step 1 – Cut out Fabric

For the shell pillow, you are going to need several layers of fabric. The outer, inner and batting (I am using pillow protectors for batting -it’s a cheap alternative!). In the outer fabric, cut two of the shells. In the lining and batting cut one only. If you would like more definition to the shell detailing, then cut an extra layer of batting.

When cutting, ensure that you cut everything as similar as possible, as we are going to line the scalloped edges in most steps.

Before moving onto the next step, on the lining/inner fabric piece, mark the shell markings from the pattern piece. You can use a tracing wheel with carbon paper, or mark the start and end of each line with a fabric erasable marker. Then connect the two dots with a line, making this curved in places.

Once cut and marked, set aside one of the outer layers, and we are going to move on to sewing parts together.

Step 2 – Create Outer Shell Detailing.

Before sewing the pillow together, we need to create the shell detailing.
Place the outer fabric wrong side facing upwards. On top of this lay the batting (or batting pieces) on top, lining up the edges to the outer. Next, place the inner or lining fabric piece on top, with the markings made facing upwards. Again, line all the edges up.

Use pins or clips to secure all three pieces together and head to the sewing machine.

Now, it wasn’t until after making I thought about using decorative thread so this part can be completed two ways. If you would prefer the definition of the shell without the contrasting thread (like mine), then sew down the lines marked, going through all three layers in a regular thread.

If you would like to add extra definition and use a contrasting thread, or even a glittery thread, then you want to create the markings on the outer fabric. Make sure you use an erasable marker so that these can be removed later. Place the pillow in the machine with the outer fabric facing upwards and topstitch down the shell markings with the decorative thread. The topstitching will then stand out on the definition.

Step 3 – Attach outer Fabric

Once the shell has the definition, we can start attaching the outer fabric together.
Place the shell piece with definition right side up (batting and lining will be touching the table). Then, place the remaining outer fabric piece on top of this right side touching. Line up the scallop edges, pinning or clipping to secure them in place. Be mindful that your fabric may move when sewing if using a velvet material as I did. Mine was misaligned slightly when sewing.

Leave the bottom edge of the pillow unpinned, we are not going to sew this bit just yet. Then head to the sewing machine, starting from just before the edge of the pillow begins to curve on the straight edge, begin sewing a seam. This is approximately a 1.6cm seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the start and the end to give extra strength when turning the right side out and stuffing.

Sew carefully around each scalloped edge, using the sewing foot to pivot the needle where needed. This is where my fabric began moving, so take it slow and steady. Keep going until you reach the other side, just after the curve and onto the straight edge. The bottom edge should be large enough to turn the pillow right side out.

Step 4 – Turn Right Side Out & Fill

After sewing, the shell pillow can be turned right side out. First, trim the seam allowance and create notches along the curved edges. To make this easier, you can use pinking shears to trim and notch at the same time.

Gently pull through the opening left. Push out all curves as much as possible. Press the seams to help them set and lay as they should. This can be fiddly, so press as much as you can.

The next step is the one I missed, so is optional. However, Stitch Witch states to topstitch around the front top edges of the shell pillow. This will give the scallop edges more definition. Again, if using a contrasting thread, then you could use this for extra definition.

Once happy stuff the shell pillow with your chosen filling. To recycle and use up some old items, I am using an old pillow and removing the filling from it. You can buy pillow stuffing easily though.

Push the filling into the scallop edges, ensuring there is enough filling. Keep filling until you are happy with the amount. It is totally up to you how much you want to add. Make sure you push the filling between the undecorated outer piece and the lining piece, and not between the batting and decorative outer piece.

Step 5 – Close Gap

The final step is to close the gap at the bottom of the pillow. You can complete this on the sewing machine, however will likely show the stitching. Therefore I am sewing this closed by hand and using the ‘ladder stitch’.

To complete the ladder stitch you will need a hand sewing needle and your chosen thread. Start by knotting the thread and then bring this up one side of the gap. Opposite this, place the needle through the side horizontally and pull through. This should create a stitch going from one side to the other. Repeat by moving the needle and thread to the opposite side. Keep going in this fashion until the gap has enough stitches. Then pull the thread attached to the needle, which will pull the stitches together and close the gap. This is a great way to close gaps as you shouldn’t see the thread that has been used and it looks ‘invisible’.

Then the shell pillow is complete and ready to be displayed around your home.

That is how to make a shell pillow, easy right? Let me know what you think of this project. Will you be making a shell pillow for your home? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Make a Shell Pillow – Video

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How to Make a shell Pillow – Save it!

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