Thursday, January 27, 2011

How To: Sew an Envelope Pillow Cover

I told you I had a very easy way to sew pillows it's called an ENVELOPE pillow cover.
Here's how it looks:

or this:  (excuse the sleeping Max :)


Here's how easy it is:

1) Here's how much fabric you'll need:
  • 12" Pillow - Fabric 12" by 28"
  • 14" Pillow - Fabric 14" by 32"
  • 16" Pillow - Fabric 16" by 36"
  • 18" Pillow - Fabric 18" by 40"
2) Marking:
  • For a 12" pillow mark your fabric 8" in on the longest edges.
  • For a 14" pillow mark your fabric 9" in on the longest edges.
  • For a 16" pillow mark your fabric 10" in on your longest edge
  • For an 18 " pillow mark your fabric 11" in on your longest edge 
*Note: Don't add any fabric for seam allowances, it's better to sew a 1/2" seam allowance and STUFF the pillow inside the cover. I like an overstuffed looking pillow.

3) Fold each end under 1/4 inch, IRON and sew a nice neat hem (see above diagram).


 4) Fold your fabric, right sides together. There should be a 3 1/2" overlap for the back side of your pillow.
 5) Sew the sides with the raw edges, using 1/2" seams.

 6) Turn the pillow case inside out, IRON and stuff your pillow inside! No need for Zippers, buttons or anything of the sort. 
And that's how I make . . . . . All the pillows I've ever made! :) A pillow with only 4 lines to sew (and you could even get away with 3 lines of sewing if you only hem the side that shows, although one more line of sewing isn't going to kill you :)
I hope that helps all you other simple sewers like me!

Please excuse my crude drawings I tried to make it super simple, as my direction giving is sub-par (at best).

29 comments:

  1. Sorry!!! I Forgot to hit the publish button this morning!!! Here's the How TO: I hope you enjoy it! and it didn't come too late :)

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  2. I have this fabric in my living room! I love it. And, it's made into a envelope pillow cover. The first I ever made.

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  3. Great tutorial!! The pillows look great.

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  4. Thanks for the tutorial. Even though I am not much of a seamstress, I can sew straight lines, so this looks like a good project for me. :) Thanks for sharing.

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  5. That is just the tutorial I have been looking for! Wonderful! Thank you! :)

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  6. Thank you so much for this. I've just started sewing and this is so helpful. I'm making some pillows this weekend!!!

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  7. Great tutorial! I am wanting a simple project to try for my first attempt at sewing. I'm actually sewing machine shopping this weekend. I look forward to trying your pillows! I love that fabric you used for yours.

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  8. Thank you for this post, I never know/understand how you and folks like you do what you do. But now I feel I can at least try. I can't wait to get a place of my own. Looking forward to seeing your place come together.

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  9. I never knew this could be so simple! Thanks! Also, where is the paisley fabric from?

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  10. I'm so glad you found it useful!
    The Fabric came from Jo Ann Fabrics, It's a Waverly print, so you might be able to find it online :)
    Hope that helps
    Lots of Love
    A

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    Replies
    1. These are lovely. Where do you buy your pillow forms? And what would you consider a good price? Thanks!

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  11. Brilliant!!! My life has changed forever!

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  12. Webbygrrl-
    I always buy my pillow forms from IKEA! I like to do the "chop" (when you chop the pillow at the top in the middle after your done fluffing them) and I think that Feather pillows work best! I don't like how poly fill pillows are too stiff,
    Anyways,
    Ikea makes great feather throw pillows for a great price i think the large ones were $16 and the small ones where like $8.
    And if you don't mind poly fill pillows Ikea sells those for Even cheaper!!
    Hope that helps
    Ashli

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the info, Ashli! (sorry for the late reply) :)

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  13. THANK YOU!!! For helping me to redeem some of my favorite fabric that I thought I couldn't use for a pillow cover! I had tried to use it before and cut it wrong, but when I saw your very simple method, I was able to just put two pieces together and finally make a pillow cover out of my wonderful fabric! AND, I made this in under 20 minutes! It was such an exciting day for this novice sewer! :-)

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  14. I made it!! I finally made these envelope pillows! Of course, I've blogged about it and sent a link to this tutorial because you rock! Come and have a look at them and tell me what you think! http://cathhasablog.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-pillows.html

    :) Cath

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  15. I am wondering if this method would work on some patio cushion covers?

    I love the simplicity and the fact I only have to sew three semi straight lines! Thanks!
    Great tutorial!!

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    Replies
    1. I'm sure it would definitely work on patio cushions!
      I like them for the same reason you like them . . . only 3 semi straight lines needed!!
      :)
      Lots of Love
      Ashli

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  16. LOVE your blog & love this tute! I used it to make a pillow for a friend, and linked back to your tutorial. At least I hope I did! You can see my "beginner" level attempt here:
    https://doandredo.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/easy-pillow-craft/

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  17. Rhubbard Neat on someone's pillow case huh Marlyn?

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  18. such a great tutorial!! I made my first pillow cover and it was so easy!

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  19. Any recommendation on stuffing these with polyfill?

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  20. Your last sewing step says to do a 1/2" seam but the image shows you doing a 1/4" seam. Which one is it?

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    Replies
    1. Either one, just adjust your measurements. If you want a 1/4 inch seam add a 1/4 inch to the pillow size or do the same if you want a 1/2 inch seam.
      And sorry for the confusion. If you are following my diagrams then do a 1/4 inch seam.
      Lots of Love
      Ashli

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  21. Beautiful job! I'm new to sewing and by new I mean I've never done it, but have already bought fabric to try this project of yours. Your square pillow dimensions are perfect and easily understandable. I was wondering what the measurements would be for rectangle shaped pillows. Thank you so much!

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  22. This was my first pillow cover - sewing novice. Some things I noticed: I used the instructions above for a 16" pillow. My forms actually measured 16.75", and apparently that makes a difference because my covers are just a tad small. I squeezed the forms in, but they are tight. I made a nice finished edge so the opening could be on the front if desired (like yours), but it's just too tight. The opening gapes open like a big round belly that keeps needing the shirt pulled over it. Because I measured the 10" stated above, I noticed my opening isn't centered like the one above, so I'll adjust that for halfway next time. HTH!

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