I have been looking everywhere for a cute pillow to put on a chair in our nursery to add a pop of color. The only problems are that I can't find one I like or if I find a cute one it is so expensive! I figured I would be better off by pulling out my dusty ol' sewing machine and whipping one up myself. I knew I wanted a pillow with a removable cover for all the baby spit up that will eventually be covering it! I found an easy to follow tutorial at Texas Cottage Blog and went to work!
So here we go!
Step 1: Measure your pillow. Use a tape measure across the center and measure from seam to seam (or just look at the tag on the pillow stating the size). My pillow is 16" x 16".
Step 2: Determine the amount of fabric to cut. One measurement will be the length of the short side. The other measurement is calculated by multiplying the length of the long side by 2 (for the front and back) and adding 4" (for seam allowance and overlap). Example: I cut my fabric 16" by (16" x 2 + 4") or 16"x 36". If you are using a square pillow, here are some quick measurements for you to cut your fabric: 16" pillow: Cut the fabric 16" x 36"; 17" pillow: Cut the fabric 17" x 38"; 18" pillow: Cut the fabric 18" x 40".
Step 3: Hem the two short sides. Lay the fabric right side down with a
short side towards you. For my pillow this was the 16" sides. Measure and iron a 1/4" hem on both sides. Fold each side over another 1/4" (to hide any unfinished edges), iron them flat, pin and sew both hems.
Step 4: Sew the side two seams. Now lay the fabric with the right side
up with the long side towards you. Fold one side with the 1/4" hem
over a little more than half-way. Fold the other side over so it
overlaps the first side. I folded one side of mine 6 1/2 inches and the other 9 1/2 inches and had a 3 inch overlap (6.5" + 9.5"=16"). Make sure your fabric measures from fold to
fold the same as your pillow. Pin each side seam, and sew with a 1/2" seam
allowance. Trim the seam allowance at each corner.
Step 5: Turn each side right side out and put pillow inside.
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I am bookmarking this! My couch pillows are gross, but I can't seem to find any pillows with removeable covers any more! I HAVE to be able to wash them; three dogs and dry clean only do not mix!
ReplyDeleteI've got my weekend project, for sure!
Great tute! Pinned!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog! Deinitely trying this out!
ReplyDeleteI had just bought material to redo a couple of my pillows envelope style, but now I'm glad that I can eliminate some of the work with only two side seams! Thank you! (And I freakin' love your material.)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh where did you get that fabric?! LOVE
ReplyDeleteHey Ashley!
DeleteI got it from Hobby Lobby!
I want this fabric!
ReplyDeletePinning this (thanks for making it so easy)! I am seriously coveting that fabric. It adds a really nice touch to your rocker.
ReplyDeleteSo I had to comment because I just bought some fabric at Hobby Lobby and googled "easy pillow tutorial" and this came up- with the exact same fabric I bought! Weird, right?? And you just posted this 2 days ago. Anyway, thanks for the tutorial- I love how you just used one big piece- saved so much time!
ReplyDeleteI love this tutorial! I have used it a few times now to retouch our living room and bedroom. :)
ReplyDeleteThis blows my mind!! So easy! I actually just bought that material yesterday at Hobby Lobby!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this tutorial! I made a pillow cover last night and one this morning for the loveseat in my craft room. Have plans to make some for a friend as well. I do not do a lot of sewing but this was so simple. I'm showing them to everyone that comes in the house! Lol!
ReplyDeleteI noticed you cut the fabric to exactly 16" when your pillow is 16" - you didn't need an extra inch to account for the 1/2" seam allowance? Is that because the pillow just squishes in? It looks like a perfect fit for your pillow.
ReplyDeleteAlso, agree that your fabric is fantastic.
This is such a useful tutorial! I posted today about some pillows I just made combining this tutorial with another one (from Prudent Baby): http://paintingsunny.com/2013/02/08/got-it-covered/
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the awesome inspiration :)
Have you ever made cushion slipcovers for the glider that the pillow is shown on?
ReplyDeleteI haven't! Sorry about that! I am sure you can find that on Pinterest.
DeleteFound this tutorial when searching for envelope pillow cover. Great tutorial, but it is incredibly close to a tutorial posted on another blog almost a year before you posted this one. In fact, there is so much that is word for word. Elyse, do you think you should give Texas Cottage Blog some love? Great tutorial though, thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you look in the description, we gave the blog credit. Sorry you didn't see it. Have a great day. -The Six Sisters
DeleteHi, this tutorial is so easy. I have a question though, I'm new to sewing and have recently discovered French seams. I like to use these as I am making covers from silk that tends to fray. My question is, is there a way that I can do your easy method but still do a French seam? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteJo, I guess we are new to sewing too. We just followed the instructions. We don't know much about French seams. We would love for you to give us a French Seam Tutorial! :)
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