Quick Pillow Cover Tutorial

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Turn the piece wrong side out.

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

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).

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.

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

Happy sewing!

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