No-Sew Fleece: Fun Bow-Ties Pillow Cover

No Sew Fleece Pillows 2 ways

Don’t these pillows just make you happy? The best part is, this isn’t one of those photos of something that has to stay in your dreams, you can make pillows almost exactly like these quickly and easily. And it’s a fun project for older children and groups of friends to do over the Winter break as well!

While I explained how to make the pillow on the left yesterday, today we’re going to learn how to make the bow-tie pillow on the right. Interestingly enough it’s the much quicker method of the two, though it’s aesthetic is, in my eyes, much more sophisticated. It’s construction consists of two separate pieces of fleece which wrap the pillow in opposite directions and are secured with ties in the center. I thought of this while I was dozing off to sleep one night, but it took me a few minutes to actually figure out how to bring this simple idea into reality.

Fleece No-Sew Bow Tie Pillow

This photo  is of the same pillow, opposite sides. What’s  interesting to note is the difference in the look of the pillow based on how tightly the knots we’re tied. If you like the look of the pillow on the left, make sure to measure on the large side, and if you prefer the look on the right, so make your pieces a bit smaller.

You’ll Need:

  • pillows or pillow forms in the desired shape and size
  • fleece: 2 pieces in complementary colors
  • masking tape
  • a tapemeasure
  • good scissors

How to:

  1. Measure circumference and height of pillow. Add 10cm (4 inches) to the circumference measurement, and cut two pieces of fleece with a width equaling (circumference + 10cm) and height as measured. (If pillow is square, the two pieces will be equal size, if the pillow you want to use is not square, so turn it 90degrees to measure the circumference and height for the second piece.)
  2. Place masking tape along height of fleece at both edges, 5cm from the edge, and mark off on tape even intervals of roughly 1.5cm (2/3″) or a bit wider.
  3. Cut fringe according to tape placement and markings on tape.
  4. Prepare both pieces of fleece.
  5. Lay one piece of fleece on table, running side to side, and place pillow on top of fleece
  6. Lay second piece of fleece on top of pillow, running top to bottom 
  7. Wrap the two sides of the bottom piece up and around the pillow and tie fringe at center of pillow.
  8. Turn pillow over and tie second set of fringe on that side.
  9. You’re done, that sure was quick right?

Comments

13 responses to “No-Sew Fleece: Fun Bow-Ties Pillow Cover”

  1. Maya Avatar

    That’s really cute! Love the ruffles!

  2. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Maya, have fun with this!

  3. Abbie Avatar

    Very cute! I’ve had some fleece that I’ve been wondering what to do with and my girls would LOVE this!

  4. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Great, Enjoy! You may even need to go out and buy some more.

  5. Goldylox Avatar
    Goldylox

    Oh you are so creative and so talented.
    My 12 year old granddaughter would have benefited allot from your site. She is soooo into these kinda stuff.
    My son does not own a computer, but I would love to print out some of your stuff here, for her, if it is allowed.

  6. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much, glad you are enjoying the site. For personal one-time use, feel free to print the photos and share them with your granddaughter!

  7. Amy G. Avatar
    Amy G.

    This is really really cute! I discovered that a really cheap way to buy fleece is to buy fleece throws at places like Walmart, Dollar General, etc…I got a 50″x60″ throw for $3 at Walmart recently. Compared to the fabric that they sell there for $9 for a similarly-sized piece!

  8. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Yes, exactly! Just beware of quality as I stated in my post. All the best!

  9. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    I really like the Bow Tie on the right with the tighter look. How much smaller do you need to make it to get that effect??

  10. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi Stacy, since results vary depending on thickness of fleece youll be using, the best thing do is make a little sample using a few widths, and then measure the one you like and use that dimension as a guide for cutting. All the best!

  11. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    As someone with serve dyslexia, your directions are very hard to understand. Yet you have information on dyslexia on your site. I’m usually good at figuring out what directions say but yours make no sense.

  12. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Sorry about that Mary, yes the directions are very technical, but thats really the only way to explain without a photo tutorial which would be very helpful for this project. If I do it again and take photos Ill send you an email to take a look. I do have some information about dyslexia on my site, but I have no personal experience or knowledge so I wouldnt know how to rewrite the post to help you out. all the best.

  13. Amber Avatar
    Amber

    These are so cute! I had the same issue as Mary. I was stuck on how to measure the “circumference” of a square (or rectangle, for that matter). I asked ChatGPT to re-write in simpler terms and to break down the measurements using a 12″ x 12″ pillow as an example!
    Measure & Cut Fleece
    The “circumference” (or perimeter) is simply the total distance around all four sides. For fleece-tied pillows, you actually don’t need the perimeter measurement. You just add about 4 inches to the pillow’s width and height (2 inches on each side for the fringe), making each fleece piece 16 inches x 16 inches.
    So, cut two pieces of fleece that are 16 inches x 16 inches for a 12″ x 12″ pillow.
    This gives you enough fabric to tie the fringe on each side and still cover the pillow snugly.
    Prepare the Fringe
    On each fleece piece, measure 2 inches from the edge along both sides and mark with masking tape.
    Use the tape as a guide to cut fringe strips about 2/3″ wide along the edges.
    Assemble the Pillow
    Lay one piece of fleece flat on a table, with the fringe edges out.
    Place the pillow insert on top.
    Place the second piece of fleece on top of the pillow.
    Tie the Fringe
    Wrap the bottom fleece edges up over the pillow and tie the fringe pieces together in the middle.
    Turn the pillow over and tie the remaining fringe on the other side.
    And that’s it—you’ll have a cozy fleece-tied pillow!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *