I love decorating for the holiday season. It is my favorite time of year. Today, I’m going to show you How To Make An Envelope Pillow Cover! Make these easy and fun pillow covers for every season. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have enough storage room to have festive pillows for every season. Having removable envelope pillow covers is the perfect solution to still have decor that can change with the seasons while not taking up a ton of space in the garage or attic. They are very quick and easy to make and you can decorate them to your heart’s content. Appliques, buttons, ricrac, ribbon, pompoms, etc are all fun items you can add to your envelope pillow. It is always amazing to me how much changing up my throw pillows can transform a space. Pillow covers are a great way to do that without breaking the bank. Growing up, I loved going all out on our decorations and I still do. Now I know how much work it can be and I like to do what I can to make it easy while still looking great. These pillow covers turned out great.
This is such a fun and simple project. You’ll need some fabric – I just used some festive fabric I had leftover. You’ll need about a yard. You’ll also need some scissors or a rotary cutter, mat, and ruler. I find it is easier to get precise cuts with a rotary cutter. You’ll also need a tape measure to measure the pillow you want to cover. You’ll need some other sewing basics like thread, a sewing machine, pins, and some other essentials I have listed down below. Don’t forget to print the included free templates for your Christmas tree art to put on your pillow. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need:
- 1 Yard of 60″ Wide Fabric – Cotton Fabric of your choice
- Matching Thread
- Free Christmas Tree Cut PDF & Christmas Tree .PNG
- Iron
- Pins
- Scissors
- Optional Rotary Cutter & Mat
- Measuring tape
- Thread nippers
- Sewing machine
- Fabric marker
How To Make An Envelope Pillow Cover
Step 1. Measure your pillow
The first step on this how to make an envelope pillow cover tutorial is to measure the pillow we want to cover. Use a flexible measuring tape and measure the height and width of your pillow. My pillow measures 20 1/2 inches square. I’m going to add a half-inch to the width measurement for seam allowance which is 21 inches. Then I’m going to take the 20 1/2 inch measurement and multiply that by 2 so it will wrap all the way around the pillow. Then I’m going to add 7 inches for the overlap and seam allowance. So my cut measurements are 21 1/2 inches by 47 1/2 inches.
Step 2. Sew ends of the fabric
Take the short ends of your fabric and fold 1/2 inch, then another 1/2 inch and press with an iron. Do this on both ends. Then sew down the length of your fold, about 1/8 inch from the inside fold.
Step 3. Make some markings
Next up on this how to make an envelope pillow cover, we need to mark our fabric to the size of our pillow. Fold the fabric in half, lining up the ends you just sewed. Mark the middle of the fabric with pins at the top and bottom.
Then open the fabric, so the middle pin is in the middle of your workspace.
Then fold over one side, so the finished edge overlaps that middle point by 3 inches. Do the same with the other side and mark the side folds with pins.
Step 4. Decorate your pillow
Next on this how to make an envelope pillow cover, the time has finally arrived to add some flair to our pillow cover. Decorate the front of your pillow however you like. The pins you just put in place show you the edges of your pillow and the middle of the front of your pillow. I’m going to iron on heat transfer vinyl of a Christmas tree onto my pillow.
After putting my design in the spot I like, I like to place parchment paper over the top and then use my Cricut Easy Press to iron it on the fabric.
After ironing in place, flip over the fabric and do a quick press on the back of the fabric.
Once the design has cooled down, peel off the carrier sheet. If the design peels up, place the carrier sheet back down and iron again.
I like to do one more quick press with parchment paper on top of the design to make it sure it’s adhered nicely.
Step 5. Sew pillow closed
Now on this how to make an envelope pillow cover, will work on putting it all together. After you decorate the front of your pillow, fold your pillow with right sides together. Place the finished edge of one side so it overlaps the middle mark 3 inches like before when pinning our middle and edges. Repeat with the other side. Clip or pin together.
Sew down each edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
The last step on this how to make an envelope pillow cover is to clip the corners to reduce bulk and turn right side out.
Now place your pillow inside and admire your work! Now you know how to make an envelope pillow cover! This is such an easy way to add some holiday spirit to your space. Pick out some cute fabric and enjoy transforming your space!
If you liked learning how to make an envelope pillow cover, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How To Make An Envelope Pillow Cover
Sew your own festive pillow cover in no time! Easy way to add new life to any space!
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Use a flexible measuring tape and measure the height and width of your pillow. My pillow measures 20 1/2 inches square. Then I’m going to add 7 inches for the overlap and seam allowance.
- Take the short ends of your fabric and fold 1/2 inch, then another 1/2 inch and press with an iron. Do this on both ends.
- Then sew down the length of your fold, about 1/8 inch from the inside fold.
- Fold the fabric in half, lining up the ends you just sewed. Mark the middle of the fabric with pins at the top and bottom.
- Then open the fabric, so the middle pin is in the middle of your workspace.
- Then fold over one side, so the finished edge overlaps that middle point by 3 inches. Do the same with the other side and mark the side folds with pins.
- Iron on heat transfer vinyl of the Christmas tree graphic onto pillow.
- After ironing in place, flip over the fabric and do a quick press on the back of the fabric.
- Once the design has cooled down, peel off the carrier sheet. If the design peels up, place the carrier sheet back down and iron again. I like to do one more quick press with parchment paper on top of the design to make sure it’s adhered nicely.
- After you decorate the front of your pillow, fold your pillow with right sides together.
- Place the finished edge of one side so it overlaps the middle mark 3 inches like before when pinning our middle and edges. Repeat with the other side. Clip or pin together.
- Sew down each edge with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
- Clip the corners to reduce bulk and turn right side out.
- Insert your pillow and enjoy!
Recommended Products
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