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Pillow corner trick

August 12, 2021 10 Comments

We sew a square pillow cover but the finished pillow is not square at all! It could look like this…

Pattern here.

or this…

3D pinwheels quilt pattern
Pattern here.

or this…

Reverse applique pillow
Pattern here.

What’s wrong with these pillows? The sides curve in toward the center, changing the original shape of the pillow; the pillow insert will not be able to fill completely the corners. The result –  floppy corners, known as “dog ears”.

Sometimes the issue is not so pronounced and you don’t have to do anything, but other times action is needed! Actually, last week I had to redo a pillow cover and apply a trick, because after I inserted the pillow insert, the shape was really odd!

So how to keep the square shape of a pillow? By altering the square shape of the panels of your pillow. Strange, right? But it works!
The trick? Tapering the corners, by trimming a wedge of fabric from each corner of the pillow panels.

Rainbow quilt pattern
This fabric is Effervescence by Robert Kaufman

Here is a quilted panel for my pillow (pattern on how to achieve this rainbow panel here).  Isn’t amazing what you can do with a few strips of multicolor fabrics?

The piece measures 21”. Here is how the tapering technique works:

STEP 1
For square pillow up to 24”, mark 1/2”  inward from the corner; repeat for all the corners.
For oversize pillows (larger than 24”), mark 1” in from the corners.
For small pillows (10” – 12”), mark 1/4” in from the corners.

STEP 2
Divide the edges of the pillow panel in thirds. Mark each third on fabric as shown below. Do this for all the four edges of the panel.
My panel measures 21”, so you see here marks at 7” and 14” (or 7” from each corner).

NOTE
On some pillows I divided the edge into quarters and this works too.

Pillow corner trickSTEP 3
Using a ruler, connect the corner dot with the mark on the edges as shown below. Do this for all four corners.

Pillow corner trickSTEP 4
Cut on the marking lines (or cut directly with ruler and rotary cutter, without marking).

Pillow corner trickAll four corners trimmed.

Pillow corner trickThe back of the pillow must have the same shape, but you don’t have to repeat the above steps.  Just place a bigger fabric (I used an envelope closure for my pillow, there are actually two pieces of fabric overlapped at center) under the front panel of the pillow,  right sides together, pin to keep the layers in place and stitch at 3/8” from the edges of the top panel. Trim the backing following the edge of the top piece.

Pillow corner trickTrim the seam allowance at corners as shown below. Finish the raw edges with a zig zag stitch.

Pillow corner trickHere is my finished pillow cover. Strange shape, right?? But the pillow insert will fill better the corners of the pillow.

Pillow corner trickAnd here is my stuffed pillow. Not a PERFECT square, but definitely an improved shape!

Pillow corner trick

It is not a hard technique and it does not require much time. Still, you don’t have to do it all the time! Maybe when working on important projects.

Edited to add, after the remark of a reader – thank you!

You can do even more to achieve less pointy corners: sew a couple of stitches across the corner, as in the picture below. The number of stitches depends on the weight of the fabric: more stitches for heavyweight fabric, just a few for lightweight fabric. Haven’t tried this yet.

Pillow corner trick

Happy sewing!

PIN FOR LATER REFERENCE

Pillow corner trick

 

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Filed Under: finished quilts, quilting tutorials, sewing

Comments

  1. Lynne says

    August 12, 2021 at 11:30 am

    Very Clever thank you

    Reply
  2. Mea Cadwell says

    August 12, 2021 at 11:37 am

    After cutting the corners like you said to do, if you sew like this it makes it even less dog eared/pointy:
    Sew a side, then do 2-3 stitches at a 45° angle at the actual corner, then sew the other side. Then you also don’t have to worry about trying to get the corners of the pillow form into the corners of your cover because it’s a tad more rounded.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      August 12, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      Thank you! I saw this technique, I added a picture in the blog post. I will try it next time.

      Reply
  3. Antoinette Vitrano says

    August 12, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    Thank you, Geta, for ANOTHER WONDERFUL TRICK! I have learned so much from your blog and I love your patterns. Can’t wait to try this trick on my next pillow. I had resorted to sometimes stuffing the sides of my pillows with extra batting to fill out the “cave” that resulted from my square corners. I always look forward to your emails. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas and talent with us.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      August 12, 2021 at 2:49 pm

      I did that too, and more: stuffing the corners. it helps to some degree, but this technique is better.

      Reply
  4. Judy says

    August 12, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    Have you tried this with a pillow with piping/cording? Or with a zipper on a side, instead of the envelope closure? I am teaching a friend to see and her pillow top is almost ready to finish. I’d like to share options with her.

    Appreciatively, Judy

    Reply
    • Judy says

      August 12, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      Oops…see, not see…🤓

      Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      August 12, 2021 at 2:57 pm

      Haven’t tried it yet, but I read that this technique is particularly helpful when working with piping. As for the closure, it works with any type of closure.

      Reply
  5. Robyn Lidstone says

    August 13, 2021 at 2:27 am

    So much amazing information for techniques that will produce a wide range of beautiful patchwork items.

    I never cease to be amazed at your abilities, Geta, and generous sharing of your skills.

    I am off to buy this pattern collection.

    Best wishes from Austrlaia

    Reply
  6. Ina D. says

    November 30, 2023 at 9:19 am

    Vielen Dank für die großartige Erklärung der Technik!
    Lange habe ich nach den richtigen Abmessungen gesucht, schön, dass ich nun alles Wichtige gefunden habe.
    Alles Gute für Sie!

    Reply

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