Video:How to Make a Pool Pillow

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Transcript:How to Make a Pool Pillow

Hello I’m Susan Nixon with About.com, and I’m here with Kristen today and we’re going to make a pool pillow.

Pillow Making Supplies

So all you need is one beach towel, and a pillow form. You can find these at a craft store this one is 12 inches wide by 16 inches long.

So the last thing you need is a piece of Velcro. Look at these fun colors we found. So on this towel I think we’re going to use the pink.

Measure and Cut the Towel

So first we’re going to fold the towel up from one edge, 12 inches because that’s the width of our pillow. We need to go 17 inches from the top, make a mark with our chalk marker. So now I’m going to have Kristin use the rotary cutter right along her blade. I’ll cut the top. I want to cut right along the edge of the existing towel. So now our pillow is all cut out.

Sew the Towel Edges

So now I’m going to have Kristen serge the edges that we cut and this will keep the towel from raveling. So she’s going to pick up the foot, slide it under. Notice she keeps her fabric flat, as flat as she can as it’s feeding through. When she gets to the end she’ll just serge off. And then she’ll cut her thread right in the center leaving some on the machine and some on the towel. So now she’s going to do the 2nd side, same way. Aren’t sergers great? We just finished off that edge and now nothing’s going to ravel.

Attach Velcro to Top

So now we’re going to fold the towel in half. And this is the part where we’re going to put the Velcro at the top. Open the towel back up. And we want to just put one side of the Velcro on the first half of the towel. The easiest thing to do is to use regular glue stick and just draw a line and your regular sewing machine will just go right over it. No we’re going to do the same thing on the 2nd side, with the softer part of the Velcro.

Sew Along Side of Velcro

So now Kristen’s going to slide it under she’s going to sew on the left side of the Velcro. Move the rubber band over so that creates a straight line for you. So the first thing we’re going to do is put the needle down and now we’re going to push the reverse button to tie a knot and now she’s going to steer with her thumb on top. So when she gets to the end of the first strip, she’s going to stop, do a little reverse to tie that knot, go forward and get the next strip going. When she gets to the end, she’s going to reverse for three. That ties the knot.

So now we’re going to do the right side of the Velcro. We’re going to move the rubber band over so she can sew right along the edge of that Velcro so that gives her a straight sewing line. She keeps her hand to the side of the needle, right there she does a reverse for three. Needle to the top, presser foot up, now she’s going to pull her fabric out and cut all 4 threads. Now both sides of the Velcro are sewn in place.

Finish Sewing the Pool Pillow

Now we’re going to fold the pillowcase in half. The Velcro stays on the outside and we’re going to sew on this side and across the bottom and the sewing will be done.

Now at the end, right here it gets really thick, because the towel was folded over. So Kristen’s going to use a plastic piece that helps you get over thick seams. And now we’re going to sew really slow to the end to give our needle time to get through that fabric.

Flip Pillowcase Inside Out

So Kristen sewed the short side the exact same way. And now she’s ready to flip the pillowcase inside out. Now all she has to do is put the pillow inside and she’s just going to seal the Velcro. So now you have the perfect pillow to take to the pool or to the beach.

Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us on the web at About.com