Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
You can make a decorative throw-pillow cover from a pair of cloth napkins, a kitchen towel, or a small accent rug—often without a sewing machine. Iron-on hemming tape joins the edges for most lightweight and medium-weight fabrics; a very thick rug may need a carpet needle and hemp cord instead. The basic method is to press the textile, place the finished sides together, fuse three edges, turn the cover right-side out, add an insert or stuffing, and close the final opening.
Which household textile should become your pillow?
The best starting material is already close to the size and shape you want. Finished edges on napkins, towels, and rugs reduce the amount of edge finishing, while the textile’s thickness determines whether iron-on tape can bond securely.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Material | Best pillow shape | How to arrange it | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two cloth napkins | Square or compact rectangle | Use one napkin for the front and one for the back, print-sides together. | Very thick or heavily textured napkins may not fuse evenly with hemming tape. |
| One kitchen towel | Longer rectangle or lumbar pillow | Fold the towel so the printed side faces inward, then fuse the exposed edges. | Check that the folded length and width match your insert before cutting tape. |
| One small accent rug | Long lumbar or statement pillow | Fold the rug with its decorative side inward and use its finished edges where possible. | A thick rug can resist hemming tape; a carpet needle and hemp cord may be more dependable. |
Napkins are the simplest choice when you want two coordinated faces. A towel or rug lets you make a longer lumbar cover from one piece, with the fold becoming one side of the case. Before committing, place your pillow insert on the textile and check that there is enough material to wrap around it with a little room for the seams.
Supplies for the no-sew method
- Two cloth napkins, one kitchen towel, or one small accent rug
- An iron and ironing board
- Iron-on hemming tape, such as Heat n Bond hemming tape, used according to its package directions
- Sharp scissors
- Velcro dots or hook-and-loop tape for a removable closure
- A pillow insert, or clean polyfill reused from old pillows
- For a very thick rug: a carpet needle and hemp cord
Read the hemming-tape instructions before heating the textile. Different tapes specify their own temperature, pressing time, and whether a pressing cloth is needed. Test a small hidden area first, especially on dyed, coated, or heat-sensitive material. Keep the iron moving exactly as the tape directions require; excessive heat can flatten texture or mark a printed surface.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
Measure the cover before cutting anything
Lay the insert on the wrong side of the fabric and decide where each finished edge will fall. If you are using two napkins, align their edges and make sure the insert fits inside the area that will remain after the seams are fused. For a towel or rug, fold it around the insert to locate the fold and the opening. A lumbar insert usually benefits from a longer, narrower rectangle; a square insert works naturally with two napkins.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Do not cut away a finished edge unless it prevents the cover from fitting. Keeping a hemmed or bound edge saves a step and gives the pillow a cleaner outline. If the textile is only slightly larger than the insert, leave the seam as narrow as the tape instructions safely allow. If it is much larger, mark the desired finished size with removable tailor’s chalk and trim symmetrically so the print remains centered.
How to make a pillow from two napkins
- Press both napkins. Iron out creases so the edges meet without ripples. Let the fabric cool flat before arranging it.
- Place the napkins print-side together. The decorative faces should touch, leaving the wrong sides visible on the outside. Align the corners and finished edges.
- Cut the hemming tape. Measure one strip for each of the three edges that will be closed. Keep the tape inside the fabric edge so adhesive does not spread onto the ironing board.
- Fuse three edges. Starting with one side, insert the tape between the layers and press according to the product instructions. Repeat on the second side and along the top or bottom, leaving one complete edge open for the insert.
- Inspect the bonds. After the seams cool, gently check the corners and the center of each fused edge. Repress any section that has not bonded, following the tape directions rather than adding random heat.
- Turn the cover right-side out. Push the corners out carefully with a blunt tool, such as the rounded end of a closed pair of scissors. Avoid piercing the fused seam.
- Add the insert or stuffing. Slide in a purchased pillow insert, or distribute clean polyfill saved from an old pillow. Fill the corners first, then the center, so the cover does not develop empty pockets.
- Close the opening. Apply Velcro dots or hook-and-loop tape if you want to remove the insert later. You can also fuse the opening permanently with another strip of hemming tape.
For a crisp front, smooth the insert toward the corners before fastening the opening. If the cover looks overstuffed, remove a little fill; too much pressure can pull the taped seams apart.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
How to fold a kitchen towel into a lumbar pillow
- Iron the towel flat. Remove wrinkles and make sure its long edges are straight.
- Position the insert on the wrong side. Fold the towel around it with the printed side facing inward. Decide which edge will remain open for filling.
- Trim only if needed. Preserve the towel’s finished hems whenever they fit the design. If the towel is too wide, trim equal amounts from both sides to keep the pattern centered.
- Cut tape for the exposed seams. Measure the two side edges and the edge opposite the opening. Use separate strips rather than one overlapping loop.
- Fuse the three seams. Follow the tape manufacturer’s pressing temperature and timing. Allow each seam to cool before moving the towel.
- Turn, fill, and close. Turn the case right-side out, insert the pillow or reused polyfill, and secure the opening with Velcro or a final fused seam.
The towel’s fold can act as a clean, continuous edge, which is useful on a lumbar pillow. Keep the fold square while pressing; a skewed fold can make the finished cover twist even when the seams are straight.
How to use a small accent rug
A rug can supply a bold, durable-looking pillow face, but thickness is the deciding factor. Fold the rug with its decorative side inward, use existing bound edges where they fall naturally, and test a short piece of hemming tape before committing to all three seams.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →When hemming tape works
If the rug is flexible enough to lie flat and the adhesive can contact both layers, fuse the seams in the same order as a towel: press, align, tape three edges, cool, turn, fill, and close. Work in short sections so the layers do not shift under the iron.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
When to switch to a needle and cord
A dense pile or stiff backing may prevent the tape from making a continuous bond. In that case, use a carpet needle and hemp cord to secure the thick edges. The needle should pass through the rug without tearing the backing; make evenly spaced stitches and knot the cord securely on the inside. Leave one edge open until the insert is in place, then finish that edge by hand.
Do not force an iron onto a backing that can melt or scorch. If the rug’s care label prohibits ironing, use the hand-sewn approach instead.
Choose the right closure for how you will use the pillow
| Closure | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Velcro dots or hook-and-loop tape | A cover you may remove for cleaning or to change the insert | The closure adds a small ridge and must be aligned so it does not gape. |
| Final strip of hemming tape | A permanently closed decorative pillow | It is quick and flat, but opening the cover later can damage the textile. |
| Hand stitching with carpet needle and hemp cord | A very thick rug that will not accept iron-on tape | More labor, but better control through dense layers. |
Place removable fasteners far enough inside the edge that they are fully supported by fabric. Press or stitch one half to each layer, then test the closure before adding the insert permanently.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Fix common problems before the pillow is finished
| Symptom | Likely cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| The seam opens when the cover is turned | The tape did not receive the required heat or pressure, or the fabric was dusty or damp. | Let the seam cool, clean away loose fibers, and repress according to the tape instructions. If it still separates, hand-stitch that section. |
| The corners look bulky | Too much fabric or tape is layered at the corner. | Trim excess seam allowance carefully before turning, without cutting the bonded line. |
| The insert will not fit | The finished dimensions were measured before accounting for the fused edges. | Remove the insert, open the closure, and check whether a narrower insert or a larger cover is practical. Do not stretch the seams aggressively. |
| The pillow is lumpy | Polyfill was added in large clumps or left away from the corners. | Pull the fill into small portions, pack the corners first, and rotate the pillow while shaping it. |
| The rug edge will not bond | The pile or backing is too thick for iron-on tape. | Stop increasing the heat and switch to a carpet needle and hemp cord. |
| The pattern is crooked | The layers shifted while tape was being pressed. | Realign and pin or clip outside the ironing zone before fusing the next section. Work from the center of each edge toward the corners. |
Care and durability considerations
These covers combine a household textile with an adhesive or hand-sewn seam, so care depends on both components. Check the original fabric’s care label and the hemming-tape package before washing. A removable Velcro closure lets you take out the insert, but it does not automatically make every textile machine-washable. Spot-cleaning and gentle handling are safer defaults when the material, adhesive, or rug backing has no clear laundering guidance.
Keep the finished pillow away from direct heat after fusing until every seam is fully cool. For a pillow that will be handled frequently, inspect the corners and closure periodically. Reinforce a lifted section early rather than pulling on the seam while the cover is stuffed.
What the project may cost
Lauren of Bless’er House reported buying a set of four napkins for $8 to make two pillows, a kitchen towel for $4, and a rug for less than $10. Including hemming tape and Velcro, she reported a total of $5–$12 per pillow. Those are her project-specific prices from 2019, not a current market comparison; your cost will vary with the textile, insert, adhesive, and local prices.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
Her tutorial’s point was that a pillow does not always require a new cover bought for that purpose. In her words: “It’s all proof you don’t need to spend $20-40 on throw pillows when sometimes all it takes is a little imagination to use what you might already have tucked in a kitchen drawer.” The quotation and method come from Lauren’s tutorial, “3 Items You Can Repurpose Into DIY Throw Pillows,” published March 14, 2019 and updated June 14, 2019.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA practical decision checklist
- Need two matching faces? Start with two napkins and align their finished edges.
- Want a long lumbar shape? Fold a kitchen towel or accent rug around the insert.
- Working with ordinary fabric? Use iron-on hemming tape and follow its exact pressing directions.
- Working with a dense rug? Test the tape first; prepare a carpet needle and hemp cord if it will not bond.
- Want to change inserts or wash the cover when allowed? Use Velcro or another hook-and-loop closure.
- Have old pillows available? Reuse their clean polyfill, adding it gradually to prevent lumps.
Choose the textile that already has the dimensions, finished edges, and thickness closest to your intended pillow. That single decision determines whether the project is a quick taped cover or a heavier hand-finished case.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
