Making assorted pillow covers for our bedding is one of the least costly ways to freshen up the bedroom.
In this tutorial, I will show you an easy method to make an envelope cover for a rectangular pillow in just minutes. Really.
You need only one piece of fabric and a bit of sewing thread.
Take a look below!
Pillow insert size - 18" x 23" (46 cm x 58.5 cm)
Pillow cover size - 18" x 23" (46 cm x 58.5 cm)
My personal choice - For the decorative pillows I prefer to make the cover 1" smaller than the insert, but for the bedding, I make the cover the same size with the insert.
MATERIALS needed
- Fabric - 18 ½ " x 56" (47 cm x 142.5 cm)
As a rule of thumb:
For a rectangular pillow cut one piece of fabric that is the height of the pillow insert + ½ " (1.5 cm) and 2 x length of the pillow insert + 10" (25 cm).
- Matching thread
- Scissors or fabric cutter
- Pen/pencil for marking (optional)
- Ruler
- Pins
If desired wash and iron your fabric before starting to cut.
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1
Lay the fabric wrong side up.
Fold one of the short edges under ½ " (1,5 cm) and press.
Fold it under again, press and pin in place.
Sew the hem down about a 1/8" (0.3-0.4 cm) from the inside edge.
Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitches.
Repeat with the other short edge.
Step 2
Lay the fabric flat right side up horizontally.
Fold the fabric wrong side up by placing the right short edge at 8" from the left edge. See the photo below.
Fold the left edge overlapping the right edge by 8". Keep the long edges aligned. See the photo below.
Pin in place and sew along the two long sides with 1/4 "seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitches.
Secure the edges with a zig-zag stitch.
Step 3
Turn the pillow cover right side out and push the corners out. Press.
Fill the cover with the pillow.
Sew further the next ones!