Making pillows for my couch

[StormySar]

I have some upholstry fabric here that I wanted to make a few pillows out of for my couch.

My questions are: do I need a different needle to go through the thicker/stiffer fabric (other than a universal), and do I need a special type of thread?

I just want to make simple, square pillows. What are typical measurements? Any unique stuffing ideas? I have a few old bed pillows I'll probably be dissecting but an trying to avoid having to spend extra $$ on this project if I don't have to :-)

[Jenlaana]

I'm far from an expert, so maybe someone will disagree with me.... But I made cushions for my dining room chairs and drapes out of a heavier fabric and I used my normal needles. I had more trouble/broke more needles sewing velcro/aplix than I did sewing the drapes (at most I broke 1 doing the drapes and broke 3 doing the aplix). I did use upholstry thread however. It seems a lot more durable than the normal spun polyester that I use for clothing.

[GooeyDay]

I would use a heavy duty needle and thread. As far as measurements, do whatever you want! It depends entirely on the size of your furniture, the look you're going for... As fas as stuffing, if you don't want to buy batting you can use the insides of old pillows or stuffed animals that have lost their usefulness. You can even use cut up t-shirts and what not, but that can end up lumpy feeling.

~* Laura