
In this post, I will show you how I make a pillow from a square or rectangular hooked rug. If you are making a shaped hooked rug pillow, be sure to check out this tutorial.
I prefer to sew the hooked rug pillows by hand. You can sew the pillows with a sewing machine but it is easy to either get the loops in the seam or leave too much of a gap and have foundation fabric showing.
Watch the Video:
Prepare the Hooked Rug:
First, steam press and let the hooked rug completely dry.
Then, trim down the excess foundation fabric to one inch all the way around and serge or zigzag stitch the edges.

Press the empty foundation fabric to the back. Turn each of the corners to the back at a 45 degree angle and press. Fold over each of the sides and press it down.

If desired, you can baste the folded over foundation fabric to the back of the rug. I don’t like to baste so I don’t do that step.
Cut the Pillow Backing:
I prefer to use felted wool for the pillow backing. Since it won’t unravel, you don’t have to fold it over before stitching it to the rug.
Place the hooked rug on top of the felted wool backing. Using the hooked rug as a pattern, cut the felted wool. Have the scissors at an angle so the felted wool will be slightly larger than the hooked rug.

The wool backing might end up being too large, but you can easily cut off excess if it is. You can’t add any back on after it is cut!
Sew the Pillow Together:
With wrong sides together, pin the rug to the hooked rug. I only use a few pins and move them along as I sew so I don’t end up poking myself with the pins.
Choose a sewing thread that matches the wool backing.

Hide the thread knot under the pressed over backing and start whip stitching the rug to the backing. Catch the folded over edge of the monks cloth and the edge of the wool. Be careful to not sew through any of the hooked loops. The excess wool backing will wrap over the edge of the monks cloth as you stitch. Make the stitches close together so there are no gaping holes in the backing.

When you get to a corner, you might have to trim some backing fabric off the edge. Just make sure there is enough on all sides before you start cutting!

Put a few extra stitches in the corner to make sure the corner of the backing doesn’t pop out.

Leave an opening for stuffing. Stuff the pillow as desired. Finish sewing the pillow using the whip stitch.
Pin this Rug Hooking Tutorial:
