How to Add Pom Pom Trim to a Pillow

Today I want to share a step-by-step photo tutorial of how I attach pom pom trim to pillows in advance of my new pattern releasing later this week!

I personally love adding pom pom trim to pillows. I think the result is really cute and gives pillows a little something extra! I've purchased pom pom trim from lots of different places including independent quilt/fabric shops, big box stores (like JoAnn) and from Etsy shops online. A quick search on Etsy.com for "pom pom trim" brings up a lot of different options. It comes in all kinds of colors and sizes!


Just like everything else, there are lots of different techniques for sewing in a trim like this! This is simply the way I prefer to do it. If you have another method that works for you, that's great! Attaching the trim the way I outline below completely encases the trim strip (not the pom pom part) into the seam, so that the only thing showing is the pom poms. Personally I find the finish a little neater this way.

Sewing Level: Intermediate

Materials Needed:
- Pillow top
- Pillow backing
- Pom pom trim*
- Coordinating thread
- Clips
- Zipper foot

*To determine how much pom pom trim to buy for your pillow: Measure all four sides of your pillow and add them all up. Divide this number by 36. This is the exact amount of yardage you'll need. I recommend adding around 1/4 yard so that you have plenty of wiggle room.

For example: My pillow measures 20.5" on each side. 20.5" multiplied by 4 = 82". 82" divided by 36" = 2.27 yards. Rounding up, I would order 2 1/2 yards to complete my pillow.

Instructions:

1. Lay out a length of pom pom trim against one of the edges of your pillow top. Cut piece to length.


2. Trim away any pom poms that are within 3/8” - 1/2” of the corners, so that they don’t get in the way.


3. Place trim piece on the right side of the pillow top, lining up the edge of the trim with the edge of the pillow top so that the pom poms are towards the center of the pillow. Pin or clip trim in place. Using a zipper foot, sew trim in place using an 1/8” seam allowance.


Repeat this process with the three remaining sides of the pillow top. You may choose to trim away excess trim at the corners to reduce bulk.


Optional: Before attaching the pillow backing to the pillow top, I like to finish the edges with my serger (a zig-zag stitch on a regular machine works great too). This gives my pillow a nice clean inside seam.


4. Place pillow backing right sides together with the pillow top, sandwiching the pom poms in between the two layers. Start by clipping at all four corners, pushing the pom poms out of the way as needed. I like to use clips for this instead of pins because the clips help push the pom poms away from the seam.


Next, clip in the center of each side. Then clip in the center between the clips, and continue on in this way until the all four sides have been properly clipped. I find this method helps ease the layers together evenly.



5. Starting in the middle of one of the sides, slowly stitch around all four sides of the pillow with a zipper foot, securing all the layers. Typically I use a seam allowance slightly larger than 1/4" in order to catch the trim completely in the seam. Take your time and gently push the pom poms away from the needle as you go to avoid stitching into them. Turn pillow right sides out and check trim, make any adjustments to the seam if need be.


I hope this tutorial was helpful! I am looking forward to sharing more about my pillow projects and pattern later this week. Stay tuned!

Happy Sewing!