How To Sew A Pillow Cover?

April 6, 2024

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To sew a pillow cover, you will need fabric, a sewing machine, thread, scissors, a needle, and a pillow insert or old pillow you wish to cover. Cut the fabric to the desired size, allowing for seams. If creating a simple pillowcase, sew the sides and one end inside out, leaving one end open to insert the pillow. For a pillow with a closure, you may add a zipper or create an envelope closure by overlapping fabric on the back. Once you’ve sewn the sides, turn it right side out, iron if necessary, and stuff your pillow inside. Hand sew the open end shut if using a simple pillowcase design.

Materials and Tools Needed

Before you start sewing, gather all the necessary materials and tools. You’ll need:

Fabric of your choice (cotton, linen, and velvet are popular options)
Measuring tape
Scissors or a rotary cutter
Sewing machine (you could hand sew, but this will take longer)
Maching thread in a color that either complements or matches your fabric
Straight pins or fabric clips
An iron and ironing board
A pillow insert or old pillow you want to cover
A zipper, buttons, or hook and loop tape if creating a removable cover
Optional: A seam ripper in case of mistakes
Optional: A fabric marker or chalk
Needle for hand sewing (if applicable)

Measuring and Cutting the Fabric

Determining Size

To begin, you need to measure your pillow insert. Add at least an inch (2.5 cm) to each side for the seam allowance. For example, if your pillow insert is 18 inches square, you’d cut a piece of fabric that is 20 inches square for a simple pillowcase.

Marking the Fabric

Use a fabric marker or chalk and a ruler to mark your cutting lines on the wrong side of the fabric.

Cutting the Fabric

Cut your fabric according to the marks you’ve made using scissors or a rotary cutter, ensuring your cuts are straight and even.

Sewing the Pillow Cover

Sewing a Simple Pillowcase

If you are making a simple pillowcase without any closure, fold the fabric in half with the right sides together, aligning the edges. Pin the fabric in place. Sew the two sides and the bottom using a straight stitch, leaving enough space for a seam allowance. Trim the corners to reduce bulk, being careful not to cut the seams. Turn the pillowcase right side out and iron the seams flat for a neat finish.

Creating a Removable Pillow Cover with Closure

For a pillow cover with a closure, such as an envelope back or a zipper, you’ll need to cut two pieces of fabric for the back. For an envelope cover, cut one piece that is the same width as your pillow and about 2/3 the length. Cut another piece that’s the same width but about 1/2 the length. These will overlap on the back of the pillow, creating an opening for the insert.

Follow these steps for a zippered pillow cover:

Attach the zipper to the two back pieces of fabric along their width, with the right sides facing and the zipper turned down, so it faces the right side of the fabric.
Sew along the length of the zipper with a zipper foot on your sewing machine.
With right sides together, pin the front and back pieces now joined by the zipper.
Sew around the remaining three sides, ensuring the zipper is partially open for turning.
Trim corners, turn right side out, and iron flat.

For an envelope cover:

On one long edge of each back piece, fold about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) to the wrong side and press. Fold again to enclose the raw edge and stitch in place for a neat hem.
With right sides facing, lay the front piece down, then place the two back pieces on top, with their hemmed edges overlapping in the middle. Pin together.
Sew all the way around the edges. Trim corners, turn right side out, and iron flat.

Finishing Touches

Inspection and Cleaning Up

After you have turned your pillow cover right side out, check the seams to ensure they’re secure and there are no holes. Clip any loose threads and inspect your zipper or envelope flap to make sure it functions properly.

Inserting the Pillow Form

Carefully insert your pillow form or old pillow into the cover through the opening. Adjust the corners and edges so that they fill out the cover properly, making sure there aren’t any lumpy areas.

Hand Sewing the Opening (If Necessary)

If you created a simple pillowcase design that requires stitching the end closed, use a ladder stitch or invisible stitch to hand sew the opening. This will give your pillow cover a polished look without visible stitching.

Final Iron

For a crisp, professional appearance, give the newly sewn pillow cover one final iron. This will smooth out any wrinkles and give your pillow a neat finish.

Finishing Thoughts

Sewing a pillow cover can be a fun and rewarding DIY project, perfect for refreshing your home decor or expressing your personal style. By following these straightforward steps, anyone from a beginner to a more advanced sewer can create a custom pillow cover. Afterwards, you’ll not only have a comfy new addition to your living space but also the satisfaction of having made it yourself. Once you’ve mastered this craft, you might find yourself making pillow covers for every season, occasion, or just because!