Geta's Quilting Studio

Fresh Ideas for Quilts and Bags

  • Shop
  • Cart
  • Blog
  • Freebies
  • Tutorials
  • Shop
  • Quilt Inspiration
  • Bag Inspiration
  • Born to Quilt

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

February 25, 2016 2 Comments

Quick pillow cover tutorial- it needs only 10 minutes and half yard of fabric.

We all sew pillow covers, right? Maybe it’s not as exciting as sewing a new quilt, but from time to time we have to sew ordinary things.

So let’s make this experience an extraordinary one and sew a beautiful pillow using this quick pillow cover tutorial.

Quick pillow cover tutorial- it needs only 10 minutes and half yard of fabric.

Pillow insert size: 16” x 16”
Pillow cover size: approx 15” x 15” (I like to make the cover a little smaller than the insert).

Fabric needed

For one pillow cover you need half yard of fabric (44” wide).
For my pillow I used flannel, but you could use any type of fabric. Flannel frays a lot but with this technique, this is not an impediment at all.

Pre-wash your fabric. Flannel is notorious for shrinking when washed.

Let’s start!

Cut from your fabric a 16 1/2” x 40” piece.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Hem the short edges.  Turn the edge over .5” and press; turn again other .5” and press then sew.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Lay the fabric wrong side up. Fold 10” of fabric as shown below.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Fold the other end so that the piece measures 15”. Keep all the raw edges aligned.
Note how the edges overlap for a few inches – this will be the envelope closure.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Sew along the sides, 1/4” away from the edge (see the red marking). Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Trim off the seam allowance close to the seam  (make sure you don’t cut the seam).

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Turn the piece wrong side out.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Sew again 3/8” away from the edge so that the seam allowances on the right side are enclosed into the seam.

Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

Turn the piece right side out and check that all the seam allowances are hidden into the second seam. In case some raw edges are still visible, redo the stitching on the wrong side, sewing 1/8” away from the previous stitching.

This seam is called FRENCH seam! You could use it for clothing, home decor items or bags (here is how I use it to sew shopping bags).

OPTIONAL

If you want a more secure closure, you could sew a piece a Velcro as shown (I don’t find it necessary).

Quick pillow cover tutorial- it needs only 10 minutes and half yard of fabric.

10 minutes later you will have this beautiful pillow cover. There is not any raw edge exposed and you could safely wash it again and again.

Quick pillow cover tutorial- it needs only 10 minutes and half yard of fabric.

With such a huge variety of flannel available, you could sew a bunch in no time!

Quick pillow cover tutorial- it needs only 10 minutes and half yard of fabric.

Happy sewing!

geta

PS. Would you like to sew more sophisticated  pillow covers? Check out my pillow patterns.

«
»

Filed Under: quilting tutorials, sewing Tagged With: pillow cover tutorial

Comments

  1. Marcia H Baker says

    December 6, 2018 at 6:24 pm

    Thanks for the tutorial I like seeing directions all laid out like this, so easy to follow. Did you use a walking foot for sewing the flannel. I’ve had trouble with it shifting around.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      December 6, 2018 at 6:44 pm

      Yes, I use the walking foot for everything I sew, actually. I have a dual feed integrated system with my Pfaff machine and I use it all the time.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Looking for something?

Hello and Welcome!
I am Geta Grama, a Romanian quilter.

I design quilt and bag patterns.
Here you will find inspiration, enthusiasm and encouragement for all your quilting dreams.

Meet Geta

Contact Geta

Sweet Words

Main topics

Quilting Free Motion Quilting Shadow Trapunto Bag Making Sewing

Popular Blog Posts

Archive by category

Copyright © 2018 · Geta Grama | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Delightful theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2025 · Geta Grama