The pillow is the perfect resting place for your head. That being said, you need to understand that they require special care – pillow covers – to protect them from dirt and all while we sleep on them every night!
No one can deny that pillowcases offer a plethora of benefits. First, they help to extend the lifespan of a pillow
, protecting it against wear and tear. Also, pillow covers, depending on the fabric, can provide a healthier sleep environment.
If you don’t know, there are different types of pillow covers out there; some of them are envelope closure, zipper closure, and drawstring closure. In that regard, if you are interested in learning how to make any pillow cover, this post will serve as an easy tutorial for you.
Simple Guides on How to Make Pillow Covers
As earlier stated, there exist different styles of pillow covers out there. Here are some of the simple steps you need to follow below for each style to start DIY.
Envelope closure
An envelope pillow cover (pillow sham) has a special envelope closure at the end of the case, as the name sounds. By choosing this style, you stand to enjoy many benefits; one of them is it’ll eliminate the issue of pillows peeking out. Furthermore, an envelope pillow cover style tends to add aesthetic appeal to your bedroom. Unlike other pillowcase styles, the envelope closure ensures that your pillow won’t start sliding out of its cases.
To make an envelope pillow closure, here are the simple and straightforward steps that you can follow below:
Step 1: Materials required
The first step to making an envelope pillow cover is to get the necessary materials ready. That said, here are some of the items needed below.
- Fabric: You’ll need anywhere from 1/2 to 1 yard of fabric, depending on pillow size.
- Thread: Ensure you opt for a thread that matches the color of the fabric you’re using.
- Pencil or pen
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Scissors
- Ironing board and iron
- Sewing pins
- Pinking shears (optional)
Step 2: Press the fabric with an iron.
The second step involves steam pressing the fabric with an iron. The purpose of that is to ensure that the clothing material is smooth enough for better results. Furthermore, I’ll advise that you wash the fabric, dry it, and steam press it before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Taking the right measurementÂ
After getting the necessary materials and steam-pressing the fabric, the next thing you need to do is start taking measurements. If your pillow already has a cover, all you need to do is to remove it and measure it appropriately (across down). However, after noting down the measurement, ensure to add one inch to each of them.
On the other hand, if your pillow had no cover, all you need is to take the measurement from seam to seam and note them down with a pencil. That’s not all; ensure to add an inch to the measurements to have enough space to accommodate the pillow.
Step 4: Cutting and sewing the fabricÂ
After noting down the measurement of the pillow cover, the next step is to start cutting the fabric accordingly.
For instance, if after measuring your uncovered pillow, it measures 17″ x 17″, all you need is to start cutting. Many people will tell you to cut three separate pieces for your pillow cover. However, we’ll only cut one piece for the sake of this post – The back panel-front-Back panel.
To cut for 17″ x 17″, you need to multiply the measured value (17) by two and add 6 to it. For instance, a 17″ x 17″ pillow measurement will give you 17″ x 40″ while an 18″ x 18″ pillow will need fabric of 18″ x 42″.
Next, cut out the material, fold, and iron exactly 1/4″ seam on the short ends of the fabric. After that, what remains is to start sewing the seams.
After that, fold each side of the fabric over itself to follow the exact measurement of the pillow. However, while ensuring that both seams overlap each other in the center to create the right style.
Can you notice the two remaining openings on the outer edges of the pillow? If yes, pick up your sewing pins and pin them to close the opening, then sew them.
Lastly, turn the pillow cover right-side out and use a pen or pencil to push all its corners. That’s all about making your envelope pillow cover. You can now insert your pillow inside the case and start enjoying your handwork.
Throw pillow cover
Apart from the envelope closure, you can also use the throw pillow cover style for your pillow cover. Throw pillows are usually small, decorative, and soft furnishing items engineered from a wide range of textiles for sofas and beds.
To make a throw pillow cover (DIY type), you will have to do many steps. First, you need to get the right materials and tools. Apart from that, you’ll also need to follow the right steps to achieve the best results. That said, you can check below for the simple and straightforward steps involved in making a DIY type of throw pillow cover.
Step 1: MaterialsÂ
The first step, as earlier stated, involves putting all the necessary materials in place. Here are all the items & tools you need to make a throw pillow cover:
- Throw pillow form
- Fabric: The size of the fabric you’ll be using depends on your desired pillow form. For instance, if you’ll be using an 18″ pillow form, having a fabric of about 2/3 yard of 44″ will be perfect.
- Iron
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pencil or pen
Step 2: Measure the pillow.
The second step involves measuring the pillow to know exactly how to measure the fabric. If you have a pillow form, as I mentioned earlier, performing this step is pointless. You can always find a pillow form of different sizes, including 16″ x 16″, 18″ x 18″, and 20″ x 20″.
However, if you’re utilizing one of your pillows, there’s a way you can measure it for better results. You can check below to see what you need to do.
- Get your measuring tool and take the appropriate readings (length and width) of the pillow.
- For the sake of this post, I’ll be assuming the measurement to be 20″ x 20″.
Step 3: Cutting the fabric
Up next, it’s time to start cutting the fabric into the desired size. Of course, you’ll be utilizing the length, and width measurement previously noted down for this step.
To get the exact measurement, all you need to do is follow the calculation below:
- 1x pillow width + 1”
- 2x pillow length + 4”
Since we’ll be using an assumed measurement of 20″ x 20″ in this post, then the fabric I’ll be cutting is 21″ x 44″. If your pillow measurement is 18″ x 18″, the fabric you’ll be using is 19″ x 40″.
Here’s how to run the calculation below:
For 20″ x 20″, the pillow width is calculated by multiplying 20 by 1 and adding 1 to it – that’s 21. As for the length, calculate the length by multiplying 20 by 2 and adding 4 to it – that’s 44 (so, we have 21×44).
Step 4: Finishing the edges (short and long)
Up next, it’s time to finish the short and long edges of the pillow cover.
Starting with the short edges, the first thing you need to do is fold under 1/4″. However, you need to do that to the wrong side of the fabric. After that, the next thing you need is to fold under 1/4″ again and there press with an iron. The purpose of that is to ensure that the raw edge completely slips inside the fold.
Next, you need to hold the seams closed on the short edges. To do that, stitch the seams pretty close to the inner edges.
As for the finishes on the long edges, the first thing you need to do is spread the fabric down on a plain surface. After that, fold one of the short edges towards the middle of the fabric. By doing that, you’ll have the fabric’s wrong side facing out.
Next, you need to determine where to fold the other side. For this reason, you’ll have to pick your measuring tool and reference it back to the measured length of the pillow. Next, pin the unfinished long edges of the fabric appropriately, then stitch them on both sides. The best position to start stitching is ½ inch from the edge.
As soon as you finish sewing the short and long edges, it’s time to move to the final stage of the whole process.
Of course, this stage involves turning out the cover from the wrong side to the right side. After that, use your pencil or fingertip to push the corners out.
Zipper closure
To make a zipper closure, the very first thing you need the necessary materials. For that, here are some of what you’ll need for the whole process below:
- Fabric
- Pillow form
- Zipper
- Sewing machine
- Matching thread
- Pins
- Scissors
- Seam ripper
- Ironing board and pressing iron
After getting all the materials listed above, it’s time to move to the next part of the business – making a zippered pillow closure.
Step 1: Cut your fabric
The first step to making a zippered pillowcase is to cut the fabric. To do that, all you need to do is cut the fabric into two pieces. Furthermore, it’ll help if you cut the clothing material according to the pillow form for the best results – this will ensure that you achieve a perfect fit result.
After cutting the fabric, the next thing you need to do is to lay it down, with the wrong side facing up. Now, it’s time to add the zipper.
Step 2: Marking the zipper position
To add your zipper to the already cut fabric, start by placing it along the bottom. After you finish, pick up your sewing pin and mark the starting point and the endpoint of the zipper on the fabric. Pinning the clothing material aims to determine the exact position (opening) where the zipper will be.
Step 3: Sewing the bottom edges
Up next, you have to sew the bottom edges of the fabric. To do that, you need to start by folding a 1/2 inch seam and then sewing a straight stitch, starting from the edges right down to the pin and then backstitch to the start.
Repeat the process for the other side of the fabric. Furthermore, in between the pins, run a zigzag stitch through with your machine. Of course, as soon as you have your zipper in place, you’re going to remove the stitch.
Step 4: Add the zipper
The next stage is where you need to get ready to add your zipper. To do that, the first thing you need to do is to iron the already folded seam. After that, place the zipper on the seam with its face down.
Next, reach out for a few pins and attach the zipper in place to the seams. After that, use your machine, switch to regular stitching, and sew the zipper from top to bottom. It’s pretty simple, following the straightforward steps below:
- Start by holding your zipper foot in your hand.
- Next, use your zipper foot to sew the sides of the zipper appropriately.
- Doing that, you should have your zipper is under that seam after turning appropriately.
- Next, seam ripper to rip the stitch to reveal your zipper.
- Furthermore, unzip your zipper – start by going halfway before proceeding to the next step.
Step 5: Sew the remaining side of the closure
Next, you need to sew the remaining sides of the pillowcase. To do that, lay the cover on a plain surface, with the wrong side facing up. Ensure to unzip the zipper at least halfway down.
Next, pin in place and sew all the way around, keeping an allowance of 1/2″ from the edges. Finally, finish the edges serving. In case you don’t have a serger, you can sew using the zigzag stitch. After that, turn the cover right side out and then iron it nice and flat. Furthermore, use your pencil to adjust the edges, ensuring they aren’t rolling to one side.
Now, stuff your favorite pillow inside the cover and start!
