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This is part of a week-long Sew-Along series for National Sewing Month. Don’t forget to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway!
Learn how to sew a pillow cover with this easy to follow, beginner friendly tutorial. I bought this absolutely beautiful deer-inspired fabric to make some accent pillows for my living room. This teal/turquoise fabric was the perfect color for my rustic, vintage living room. I am loving how these look on my couch. They literally took about 20 minutes each to make. I couldn’t resist sharing the tutorial with you guys. This is an easy project that you can whip up in no time to add a bit of charm to your decor.
The fabric used here is from Hawthorne Threads Winter Fawn line.
The envelope pattern makes removing and washing the pillow cover easy. How pretty is this border on the bottom of the pillow!
Your Supplies for 1 pillow cover
- 1/2-1 yard cotton fabric (depends on the size of your pillow)
- pillow insert
- sewing essentials
Measure and Cut
- Measure the size of your pillow insert. Mine was 15″ X 15″.
- Front: Cut one piece 2″ longer than your pillow. I cut mine 17″ x 17″.
- Back: Cut two pieces same width as the front but 5″ shorter in width. Mine was 17″ x 12″.
Sew
(using 1/2″ seam allowance)
Let’s start by hemming the back pieces. Fold in the short long side 1/4″. Iron neatly. Fold it again 1″ and iron neatly. Sew down. Repeat for both of your back pieces.
Next, lay all your pieces right sides together. Your back pieces will overlap. Sew all the way around. Zig-zag or serge all around the pillow to prevent fraying.
That’s it. It was that easy.
Thanks for visiting and Happy Sewing!
How to Enter Our Grand Prize Giveaway
To celebrate National Sewing Month, we’re giving away a GRAND PRIZE: this BERNINA 215 Simply Red valued at $999! Enter to win on AllFreeSewing.com.
Gain extra entries for our grand prize by commenting on our daily National Sewing Month blog posts here on Seams & Scissors. Comment your answer to our question below for an extra entry!
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Today’s Question: Have you ever sewn a pillow or pillowcase?
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Yes, I have sewn several pillow cases just like the one shown above. It is a great way to cover an pre-formed pillow insert, especially for someone who likes to swap out the cases for holidays and seasons. It makes them easy to launder too!
Yes, I have sewn both in various sizes and colors. Thanks for all the awesome inspiration and for the giveaway.
Great idea for Christmas gifts
Yes, I have sewn a few for my little ones since there were no pillowcases for their toddler size pillows and they’re so easy to make!
Yes I have made quite a few. Lots of different ways to do it and I hav tried a few.
It certainty looks easy to do but I would have a hard time because I do not have a sewing machine so I would be sewing for a long time by hand and I would probably do some embroidery on my pillow case.
No, I have never sewn any pillows or pillowcases, but I am really inspired by this easy envelope pattern, I am dying try it out!
I have never made an envelope pillow case but have made many others. Lately I have been salvaging pretty designs and using them to make pillow cases.
We had some old vehicle seat covers that I really loved and the colors were what I wanted in the living room. They turned out perfectly!
I’ve made many pillows as you have illustrated….have them for all seasons and holidays. Also make many pillowcases for grands toddler pillows in Disney, Cars, Frozen etc. fabrics. The kids love theirt special character cases.
I have made a few pillow covers, both envelope and zippered on one side. Envelope is the easiest.
I have sewed many pillows like your my favorate way Rosemary
I have made lots and lots of pillowcases and all of the pillows on my sofa were made by me. They are a great way to decorate at a reasonable coat.
tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I’ve made a lot of pillow covers and pillow cases. I really like the envelope method.
Have made a few pillows in my time. I feel envelope is easier for me.
Yes I have made a few envelope style cushion covers. I took a guilting class and that was my first project that I made. I really do love to sew.
Glad to find these clear directions
Yes. I change my monthly decorations up with seasonal pillows.
I sewn lots of pillows for myself and friends and I’ve also made 14 pillow cases to donate.
I have sewn one a looong time ago. Should give it a go again = especially after seeing your cute pillow! Thank you!
Yes, the envelope pillowcase is one of my favorites. So easy and quick. You can change the look of a room in a day!
I have sewn a few pillows over the years. My favorite was a bolster bed pillow to match the bedding I made for a daybed that turned out just the way I wanted and was surprisingly easier than I thought it might be to make!
Yes, I’ve made plenty of pillows and a few pillow cases
Yes. Pillow covers, pillows and pillow cases. many kinds. many of them used recycled fabrics.
Yes, I have embroidered and sewn decorative pillows since I was a child (they were some of my first projects). Thanks for offering such a nice giveaway!
Thanks for offerings such a nice giveaway, sure hope I win! I’m going to use some of your suggestions on one of my projects!
I just started sewing about a month ago and after adding it to the list of stuff I already do, (Paint, draw, crochet, woodworking, beading, and cooking) this just makes everything all complete. I have been using a machine that has only 1 stitch option and for $6.25 at goodwill, it has been ok. I have made a couple pillow cases and a few bags for the car for trash so far, but would like to do more. This machine would be fantastic for me.
Thank You
Barb
In my first apartment, I sewed pillows for my living room. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more minimalist, and now I consider pillows clutter. That;s just me. When I look at decorating sites, almost all use pillows in the decor. I;m the odd bird out.
Absolutely! I sew both “couch” pillows and pillowcases. I’ve also taught my special needs son how to sew pillowcases with a little bit of help from me. I make them for my granddaughter on holidays instead of giving her a ton of candy and junk. Jadahlgr at Yahoo dot Com
I have seen for many years I make lots of pillows, many different ways, I prefer zippers for most, like to quilt fabric for pillow covers for under bed pillow cases, can’t find them anymore, just the skimpy ones, going to embroider more for Christmas presents
Yes, I love making pillows and pillow covers. They are an easy way to change the décor in any room.
I have sewn a lot of pillow covers. They are one of my favorite things to sew and I switch them out to decorate according to the season. Thanks!
This looks so easy would make great gifts for any time . I just love it . Thank you for posting this and for the give away too. God bless you always
I’ve made envelope pillowcases they stay on so nicely if you don’t have a curious pet or toddler looking inside them! these are great for quick cleaning though. I’d especially like the sewing machine prize so I can make some new ones
I can’t wait to make this pattern. .
No, I have never made a pillow case. Looking forward to trying.
Hello,
Yes .my time I sewn pillow case ,and pillow cover with designs. I like sewing very much. I love your giveawayof free sewing machine .
Thanks
Afshan.
Hi,
I like your guidelines for sewing.
Thanks
Afshan Azher.
This looks a great easy to follow envelope pillow. I’ve made many in all my years of sewing but never this style. Thank you for clear instructions. Can’t wait to start.
I’ve knitted one side of several and sewn the backing to the knit panel, but want to cover several. I want to try the envelope style for sure so I can wash the cover.
I love the dear on the fabric.. I plan to look for something similar. I love this tutorial, very easy to follow. A beautiful through pillow is always welcome..
I have made many pillow cases. Some were for bed pillows, some for accent pillows. I have used zipper closures as well as envelope style.
This is my first pillow cover project. So easy to make. Made 3 for my vacation home. Made matching curtains with it.
Yes, I do. Even my disabled son sews pillow cases for friends and family. I make a new pillowcase for every holiday for my granddaughter! Jadahlgr at Yahoo dot Com
Oh yeah – body pillows, throw pillows, accent pillows, floor pillows, hassocks, you name it. If you were a fan of “GLEE”, there was an episode where Santana made gift pillows in the shape of an arm, so that it felt like somebody was spooning you in bed. Yep, made one of those, too.
Absolutely years ago I made pillow slips for Christmas time – for each child with sweet Christmas fabric. We still have them. I will make some this year for the grandchildren. I
Years ago I made pillow slip covers for each child at Christmas time ….. from sweet Christnas fabric. We still have them. This year I will make special Christmas ones for the grandchildren. I love this envelope pattern for cushions !
I have sewn many pillows and pillowcases. I like to make sure that I can take the covers off to wash when it’s for my couch.
I got an error message on my comment, so I hope this is not a duplicate. I’ve made both pillow covers and pillowcases. In fact, this inspires me to make some new covers to replace old, worn out faded ones. Thank you!
I have made a lot of pillows using the envelope style of making it. It is so easy. You inspired me to make some new ones.
I have made pillow cases, and thanks to you, I made them with French seams. Your site gives me confidence to try new methods. Thank you 🙂
Glad to hear it! 🙂
I’ve never made a pillow so this is exciting! Love that I can do this on a budget and to my style! Thank you for posting this!!! And I would love to win that seeing machine since I have a freshman who will need several formal gowns and a new one coming next year! 😉
Yes I made a pillow in High school home economics. I am 52 years old now so it’s been awhile!!
Made these for my kid’s families last year for xmas with different covers for each of the holidays. Made matching potholders with the leftover fabric. Lots of fun.
No but this one is a good start I was wondering where you got the fabulous material for both?
I have made a lot of pillows and cases but never the envelope kind.
Yes, I love pillows! I am in the process of sewing 2 hand dyed and painted silk throw pillow covers.
Yes I have made pillow cases a long time ago and also did some embroidery on them to make them look pretty.