Making an envelope body pillow cover is a straightforward sewing project that can add a personal touch to your bedroom decor. Essentially, an envelope pillow cover is designed with a flap at the opening where you can easily insert and remove a pillow. This design negates the need for zippers or buttons, making it an excellent choice for beginners or for those who prefer a cleaner look.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following materials:
- Fabric of your choice (typically cotton, linen, or a blend suitable for home decor)
- Matching thread
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Straight pins or wonder clips
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pillow or pillow form that you wish to cover
Measuring and Cutting the Fabric
First, you need to measure your pillow or pillow form. For a body pillow, let’s assume it measures 20 inches by 54 inches. You’ll need to cut one long piece of fabric that is the same width as your pillow plus 1 inch for seam allowances (so 21 inches), and double the length plus 6 to 10 inches for the overlap of the envelope closure (so about 114 inches to 118 inches).
Cutting the Fabric
- Lay out the fabric on a flat surface, and measure out a piece that is 21 inches (width) by 114-118 inches (length).
- Cut the fabric straight along the measured marks. Make sure the edges are clean and even.
Preparing the Envelope Edges
Since the envelope fold will be visible, it is essential to finish these edges neatly.
Creating a Hem
- On one short end of the fabric, fold over the edge about half an inch and iron it flat to create a clean edge.
- Then fold it over another half an inch to enclose the raw edge completely and press again with the iron.
- Repeat this process on the other short end of the fabric.
- Sew along the folded hems with your sewing machine to secure them.
Sewing the Envelope Cover
With the hems of the short sides completed, it’s time to form the envelope cover.
Assembling the Envelope
- Place the fabric wrong side up on your working surface.
- Fold each end of the fabric towards the middle, allowing them to overlap by about 6 to 10 inches. The exact overlap will depend on your fabric’s length; aim for the combined width to match the length of your pillow (in this case, 54 inches).
- Adjust these folded layers so that the edges that you have previously hemmed are in the middle of what will be the back of your pillow cover.
- The folded, hemmed edges should overlap. This is where your envelope opening will be. Make sure to measure again to ensure the final width is perfectly sized to your pillow’s width.
- Use straight pins or wonder clips to keep everything in place.
Sewing the Side Seams
- Sew along both long edges with a straight stitch, using a half-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to secure the seams.
- With the main structure of your cover assembled, turn the cover right side out. Poke out the corners and smooth out the seams.
- Give your cover one final iron to ensure it’s crisp and professional-looking.
Inserting Your Pillow
To finish up, simply slide your body pillow or pillow form inside the new envelope cover through the back flaps. The cover should fit snugly around the pillow, and the envelope closure will hold everything in place without any visible fasteners.
Tips for a Professional Look
- Make sure to iron your fabric before you start cutting to eliminate any wrinkles or folds that might cause inaccuracies.
- Select a fabric with a pattern or color that matches your room’s aesthetics, and consider prewashing the fabric to prevent shrinkage after your cover is made.
- For a more durable cover, consider using a serger or zigzag stitch over the edge of the fabric to prevent fraying.
- If you prefer not to see a seam across the back of your pillow, ensure that the fabric’s hems overlap enough so the pillow inside isn’t visible.
Customizing Your Pillow Cover
An envelope body pillow cover can be easily customized to suit your style. You can choose from a plethora of fabrics, and you can even add trim, appliqué, or embroidery before assembling the cover for a more personal touch.
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Adding Decorative Elements
- If you’d like to add trim, such as pom-poms or fringe, pin it along the edge of one or both panels of the fabric (on the right side), before sewing the side seams. Keep in mind, for washing purposes, select trims that are washable.
- For those who enjoy embroidery, embellish one side of the cover with your chosen designs before assembling the cover.
- Appliqué, fabric paint, or iron-on transfers can also be used to create a one-of-a-kind design.
Finishing Thoughts
Creating an envelope body pillow cover is not only a practical sewing project, but it can also be an opportunity to unleash your creativity. Whether by selecting unique fabrics or by personalizing with embellishments, you can create a piece that is both useful and decorative.
Remember that the key to a great pillow cover is to ensure your measurements are accurate and that you take the time to press your fabric. These steps will lead to a more professional look and will make the sewing process easier.
Enjoy your new envelope pillow cover, and get ready to rest in comfort and style!
