Want to make a simple pillow cover? Here’s a pattern for a DIY pillow cover that has a simple border around it.
If you are looking to sew a pillow cover for any size pillow then this is for you. This is a basic pattern that is made to fit any throw pillow that you would like to cover. It includes a simple graphic with a formula so you can stick in your own measurements for any size pillow.
What you will need…
- Ffabric
- Coordinating thread
- Bobbin wound with coordinating thread
- Sewing machine
- Pencil or fabric marker
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
Measure the pillow.
Take the pillow that you are making this cover for and measure the length and width/height. Mine was a 16″x16″ square.
This pillow cover is made out of one rectangle that will be overlapped in the middle of the back. It also has a simple border so you will need to add 3 1/2″ and to the width add 2 1/2″. This takes into account the seam allowance.
Here is the formula to figure out the measurements of your fall pillow cover.
Mine was a 16″x16″ square so the measurements for my rectangle came out to 35 1/2″ by 18 1/2″.
Cut the fabric.
Preferably prewash your fabric before measuring your pillow cover. This will make sure it is preshrunk so it doesn’t get wonky on you when you go to wash it.
Measure out the rectangle and don’t forget to add the extra inches for the seam allowance and border.
Cut out the rectangle.
Zigzag and sew down the 2 shorter edges.
For clarification, you are sewing down the edges of the height of the rectangle.
You want to finish these edges off because they will form the overlapping flap of the pillow cover. It isn’t necessary however to zigzag the edge if it is part of the selvage because it won’t fray.
Find the actual edges of the pillow cover.
Fold the rectangle in half with the sewn edges together leaving 1/2″-1″ for the overlapping flap.
Fold in half again up to the first edge.
Mark the edge of the fold on the inside and the outside. Don’t forget to mark the bottom, too.
Unfold it and then fold over the edges at the marks with one end overlapping the other. Pin it at the corners and the where the the flap overlaps to keep it from slipping as you sew.
Sew the edges shut.
Do a straight stitch down the edges to seal them. You don’t have to finish the edges because they will be encased in the border.
Turn it inside out.
Turn the cover right side out making sure the corners get pushed out all the way.
Mark out the border.
Lay it face up and smooth it out with your hands or iron it flat.
Mark out 1″ from the edge all the way around.
Pin it.
Pin it down at the corners and at the flap to keep it from sliding around while you sew.
Top Stitch all the way around.
Top stitch all the way around. You can pivot at the corners instead of having to end and start a new stitch every time.
Insert the pillow.
Insert a pillow into your new DIY pillow cover and you are done!
Save it for later!
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