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Learn how to make an easy envelope pillow cover that makes the perfect throw pillow. Add a flange or not to this beginner sewing project.
As much as I hate picking up throw pillows that my kids are always throwing on the ground, I love having pretty pillows to decorate my couch. They often use pillows to hop on when they play the “floor is lava” game.
I have made pretty and fun envelope pillow covers for almost every holiday, and I always use this easy envelope pillow cover tutorial. Sometimes I add a flange which is a decorative edge (a French seam on the outside), and sometimes I don’t.
The great thing about throw pillow covers is that they use about 1/2 a yard of fabric, and they are really easy to sew. It’s the best beginner sewing project!
If you know someone’s color scheme you can pick out a couple of pretty coordinating fabrics and make them some pillow covers. It works great with quilting cotton and canvas fabric.
An envelope pillow cover is a great easy gift idea because you can fold it up and mail it in a package.
Do you love to sew pillows? Try one of these sewing projects:
- DIY pumpkin pillow applique
- Pieced Valentine pillow
- DIY Fat Quarter Christmas pillows
- DIY honeycomb pleated pillow
- DIY Christmas sweater pillow
- DIY Advent Pillow
- Make a pillowcase with the burrito method
- How to sew an invisible zipper in a pillow
How to Make an envelope pillow cover
supplies
- 1/2 to 1 yard of quilting cotton or canvas
- sewing tools
- sewing machine
- pillow form
Measure your pillow form. For this example I’m using a 16 inch pillow form but you’ll be able to figure out the math for any pillow form.
Take your pillow form measurement and add 1/2 inch to all the sides. I will work with a square that is 17 inch by 17 inch for my final 16 inch pillow cover.
Then multiply the width by 3/4. Add that to each side of the side to find the total width.
Your final rectangle you will cut out will be the found height by the found width.
Cut out your rectangle using the math above. It’s about a 1/2 yard of fabric depending on the fabric you choose.
Finish the short edge of each side with a small double rolled hem. Press it well.
With right sides together fold the pillow on the fold lines overlapping the edges in the middle.
Sew around the pillow with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Trim the corners.
Turn the pillow cover right side and poke out the corners. Press the edges flat.
Stuff the pillow form into the pillow cover and enjoy your work!
How to MAKE AN ENVELOPE PILLOW COVER with a flange
supplies
- 1/2 to 1 yard of quilting cotton or canvas
- sewing tools
- sewing machine
Measure your pillow form. For this example I’m using a 16 inch pillow form but you’ll be able to figure out the math for any pillow form.
Take your pillow form measurement and add 1 inch to all the sides. I will work with a square that is 18 inch by 18 inch for my final 16 inch pillow cover.
Then multiply the width by 3/4. Add that to each side of the side to find the total width.
Your final rectangle you will cut out will be the found height by the found width.
Cut out your rectangle using the math above. It’s about a 1/2 yard of fabric depending on the fabric you choose.
Finish the short edge of each side with a small double rolled hem. Press it well.
Instead of hemming the edge you can just use each selvedge as the finished edge like I did with the pillow below. Sometimes it’s nice to reuse the pretty selvedge for a nice detail.
With right sides together fold the pillow on the fold lines overlapping the edges in the middle.
Sew around the pillow with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Trim the edges down to 1/4 inch and trim the corners.
Turn the pillow cover right side and poke out the corners. Press the edges flat.
Sew a sqaure around the edge of the pillow cover 1/2 inch from the edge.
Stuff the pillow form into the pillow cover and enjoy your work!
If you make something using this tutorial, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!
