Making a quilt pillow cover is a great project for both beginners and experienced crafters alike. It provides an opportunity to repurpose leftover fabric scraps or showcase unique quilting designs, creating a personalized and cozy addition to your home decor. In a nutshell, to make a quilt pillow cover, you will need to create a quilted front panel the size of your pillow insert, sew a back panel, and then stitch them together with some form of closure – such as a zipper or envelope closure – to keep the insert snugly inside.
Materials and Preparation
Before diving into the process, you’ll need to gather your materials. Here’s a basic list to get you started:
– Quilt batting
– Fabric scraps or quilting squares
– Coordinating thread
– Sewing machine
– Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
– Ruler or measuring tape
– Iron and ironing board
– Pins or fabric clips
– Pillow insert (for sizing)
– Optional: closure supplies such as a zipper, buttons, or hook and loop tape.
Once you have your materials, decide on the size of your pillow. Standard sizes vary, but a common decorative pillow is 18×18 inches. Remember to add an additional half-inch around the perimeter for seam allowances.
Quilting the Front Panel
Creating a Design and Cutting Fabric
First, decide what design you want for your quilted front panel. This could be a simple patchwork, a traditional block pattern, or a more modern design. Sketch your design or use quilting software to help plan out your squares and shapes. Once you have a design, cut your fabric pieces to size, remembering to include seam allowances (usually about a ¼ inch).
Piecing the Blocks
To create your quilt top, sew the cut pieces together with a ¼ inch seam allowance. Press the seams flat with an iron as you go to ensure a smooth, flat quilt top. Continue piecing the fabric together according to your design until the panel is the size of your pillow form.
Layering and Quilting
Once your patchwork top is complete, it’s time to quilt it. Create a “quilt sandwich” by laying your quilt top, batting, and a fabric backing. The backing fabric won’t show, so feel free to use something inexpensive or upcycle an old sheet. Secure the layers with safety pins spaced every few inches or with temporary spray adhesive.
Quilt the layers together following the pattern of your quilt top or in a design of your choice. You can hand-stitch or use a machine, depending on your preference and skill level. Once quilted, trim any excess batting and backing fabric so the edges are even with the quilt top.
Preparing the Back Panels
Making an Envelope Closure
For an envelope closure, you’ll need two pieces of fabric for the back that will overlap to form an opening in the middle of the pillow. Each piece should be the same width as your pillow and about ¾ of the pillow’s length. Hem one long edge of each back piece by folding the edge over ¼ inch, pressing, then folding over another ¼ inch and pressing again; stitch in place.
Installing a Zipper
If you prefer a zipper closure, cut a single panel the same size as your quilted front. Install the zipper along one edge, facing inside, between this back panel and a similarly sized portion of the quilt top. This creates one half of your pillow cover; proceed by sewing the other three sides directly to the quilted top.
Assembling the Pillow Cover
Sewing the Pieces Together
Lay the quilted top face-up. If using an envelope back, place the two hemmed back pieces face-down on the quilt top, with the hemmed edges overlapping in the middle. If using a zipper, place the back panel with the zipper attached face-down on the quilt top. Pin the layers together along the edges, making sure all corners and edges align.
Sew around the perimeter of the pillow using a ½ inch seam allowance. If using a zipper, make sure it is partially open so you can turn the pillow cover right side out after sewing. Clip the corners diagonally to reduce bulk (be careful not to cut your stitches), then turn the cover right side out through the envelope opening or zipper. Press the edges with an iron for a crisp finish.
Inserting the Pillow Form
Finally, insert your pillow form through the envelope closure or unzipped opening. Adjust the insert until it fills out the corners and edges, and the cover fits snugly around the insert.
Finishing Touches
Once the pillow insert is in place, fluff the pillow to ensure the cover is fully stretched out, hiding any wrinkles in the fabric. You can add decorative touches like buttons, braids, or piping along the seams for a more finished look. With these final adjustments, your quilt pillow cover is ready to add a touch of handmade comfort to your living space.
Creating a quilt pillow cover is a project that can range from simple to intricate, depending on the quilting design and details you choose to add. Not only will it become a focal point in your room, but it’s also a testament to your crafting abilities and personal style. As you gain experience, you’ll find that the possibilities with quilted pillow covers are nearly endless, limited only by your imagination and the fabrics at your disposal.
Remember to take your time, especially if you’re new to sewing or quilting. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process, and each project will help you improve your skills. Now enjoy your unique quilt pillow cover, and perhaps start planning your next quilting project!
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