After I gave my outdoor cushion a spray paint makeover two weeks ago I knew I had to give the throw pillows a new look. The old look was very pale and beachy-it totally clashed with the navy blue color I painted the stained cushion. I decided to go with an Americana look and knowing I needed six pillow covers it was going to have to be a DIY job.
As I have a love-hate relationsip with my sewing machine I pondered any way to avoid sewing the pillow covers but alas, there was no other choice. So I did the next best thing-I sewed the easiest, fastest pillow covers you can make (for less than $20 too!). Each pillow has four lines of stitching. Want to see how I did it? Let’s go:
My pillows were 16″ square. I ordered one yard each of Swavelle/Mill Creek Indoor Outdoor Fabric in Finnigan Cherry and Rossmere Windsol. They were each $8.98 each and I used a coupon (always, always google “{store name} coupon” before placing an online order-most of the time you can find one and save a few bucks!)
Any-who, back to the pillow constuction…I wanted my pillow to be very full so I did not allow extra fabric for my seam allowances in the measurements. I hate baggy, saggy pillow covers! I cut my fabric into 16″ by 36″ pieces. This worked out to me managing to get three pillow covers (double sided) from one yard of fabric. On each of the short ends of the fabric iron over a 1/4″ seam and then fold over again another 1/4″ and press with your iron. Sew each of these seams all the way across.
Fold your fabric in 11″ on one side and 9″ on the opposite side so that the hemmed ends overlap about 3.5″. Press the folds and hem 1/4″ in from the fabric edge on the open sides.
Flip inside out and you’re finished. Perfect envelope closure pillow covers. I made SIX pillow covers in about an hour for less than $25. I challenge anyone to beat that!!
On a side note it was very difficult to get good pictures of the pillows because my backyard is very nearly a disaster zone. They began digging our pool yesterday morning and I had to drag the patio furniture around for a good shot because most of my yard is covered in giant piles of excavated (and weirdly stinky) dirt! Follow me on Facebook or Twitter to see pictures of the process all week!
Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says
So cute and looks easy! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from DIY Dreamer. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-8.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Tausha says
Darling pillows and fantastic tutorial! I also love your cushion makeover. I love Simply Spray!
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Have a happy week!
Tausha
sassystyleredesign.com
Jessi Wohlwend says
Awesome, I love how simple they are! Thanks so much for sharing this at The Fun In Functional!
Christine says
Way to go Melissa!!! These pillows are AWESOME!! Your diagram is super helpful too!! I will reference it when I make pillows!
BTW, it’s crazy how many people don’t think to google coupons before purchasing! I always do 🙂
Thanks for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Michelle@ Learning to Be a Mom says
These are so cute. I have never attempted a pillow covering, but I really want to. Now when I do I can follow your tutorial. Then maybe I can have cute pillows too. I really need some.
Katie says
Love the pattern on the pillows. I love making envelope pillows!
Diane | An Extraordinary Day says
Thanks for the tip. I’m thinking of painting canvas for pillows to go with my new rug (A2D linky party) and wanted to do as little stitching as possible. Why didn’t I think of this? Thanks for the inspiration. Your pillows look fab!
Amanda @ Our Grace Filled Life says
Thanks for the tutorial! I’m just starting on a couple pillow projects now so it’s great to see some other tips & tricks!
gail says
I need to make some pillows…. I hate to sew! 🙂
pinning this!
gail
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Emily Tarsha says
So if I make an 18″ pillow, would that be 18″x40″?
Maria says
I just made these pillow covers and this is the BEST and EASIEST pillow tutorial I have every used. Thank you!!!
Melissa Riker says
Yay! I’m so glad!!! Thanks so much for letting me know how it worked out for you!
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Kelly says
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Just covered my patio cushions with this technique. SUPER SIMPLE and they look AWESOME!!!!!
Melissa says
That’s great Kelly! I’m glad it worked well for you! ~Melissa
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