Envelope Pillow Cover

Simple envelope pillow covers can add a lovely, fun, colorful punch of interest to any area of your home.  Follow the directions below to make your own Pops of Color with Pillow Covers!

These directions are for an 18" x 18" pillow insert.  The finished pillow will measure 17" x 17". 

Supplies:

Medium-weight fabric such as cotton duck or decorator fabric.

(1/2 yard of fabric, or 1 yard if the print direction is crucial.  You may have enough for 2 pillows with 1 yard of fabric.)

thread

measuring tape

scissors

iron and ironing board

sewing machine or hand sewing needle

Make sure your fabric is straight on both cut ends.  Measure your fabric: 18" high x 38" wide.  

Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles or creases.

Fold one end (short edge) in 1/2 inch.  Stitch along this folded edge.  Repeat on the other end.

Fold 15" of one end of the fabric over itself, right sides together.  

Now fold the remaining fabric over the top.  The fabric will overlap.  The width of the stacked fabric should be 17".  Iron the folds and pin the open edges if necessary.

Sew along the open sides with a 1/2" wide seam. 

Clip the corners of your cover, being careful not to cut through your stitches.  This removes bulk in your corners, ensuring they look neat and crisp.

Turn your envelope cover right side out.

Iron your finished cover.

Insert an 18" x 18" pillow insert. 

If the pillow opening is gaping and pulling, simply tack it closed with a simple whip stitch.

Because this envelope pillow cover is so easy to make, have fun with it!  Try using leftover scraps or thrift-store-harvested fabrics.  This pillow was made from leftover fabric scraps I collected from other pillows I made.

Enjoy the color and comfort your new pillow adds to your decor.

All photos by Paulette Rodriguez

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