How to sew an envelope pillow cover!

Pillows need updating?

Don't buy new ones! Just recover them!

I'm about to start recovering an entire couch and in the process of choosing fabrics I decided my pillows needed some updating as well. This is super easy and should take about a half hour per pillow once you get into the swing of things!

Plus, the covers are washable! Yay!

Step 1 Before you start...

Some words of caution:
If you plan to wash this pillow cover, wash the fabric beforehand in the way you normally wash. Otherwise, the unwashed sewn fabric can shrink in a hot wash or dryer later and cause seam rippage.

If you're in a hurry to get started, make sure to at least steam press your fabric.

You'll just need to wash it normally and hang it out to dry later! This will keep your pillow cover in nice shape. :D

Comments

[maxcarroll]

Turned out perfectly!

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/maximumVW/DSC_0016.jpg

[jessyratfink]

Oooooh! I love the print! They look fantastic! :D

[paravou]

I took a long rectangle piece of fabric and just overlapped the selvages and serged down both sides. Your idea is good if you want to add a trim around the edge. I like it, simple and you can slip the cover off for cleaning.

[diannaborders]

You rock! Thanks!!!

[Doctor What]

PINK IRON! How very dare you.

[jessyratfink]

It's cute and dangerous! :D

[Lithium Rain]

Cool!

[Goodhart]

I agree with Nacho, quite nice. Question, have you ever tried to simple double the length of the piece of fabric (plus an inch or so) and then just fold it over, eliminating one edge to sew?

[jessyratfink]

I have - but without those side seams it can lack structure and look really frumpy. :) Plus, it can be a lot harder to keep everything pressed and measured throughout the process. :P

[Goodhart]

Ok, I was looking for your experience in that, which is why I asked instead of stating ;-) IIRC, the fold method was taught me in middle school, during my semester of Home Ec, when we did Gym bags. The heavier material might have helped however in keeping it even. Thanks...

[NachoMahma]

. Very nice.

[jessyratfink]

Thank you sir. :D