We recently got some new couches so I’m currently working on updating the living room decor a bit. To start things off I am making some new pillow covers for the throw pillows. Today I’m going to share with you my tutorial for how to sew a pillow cover in just a few simple steps!

You can save a lot of money by making your own throw pillow covers instead of buying all new pillows. This also allows you the freedom to change the covers out seasonally or easily pop them off to throw them in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

Supplies Needed

• throw pillow form (I used an 18 inch square pillow form)
• fabric (for an 18 inch pillow you will need a piece of fabric that measures 21 inches X 45 inches)
• coordinating thread
• rotary cutting set or scissors
• sewing clips or pins
• sewing machine and needle

How to Sew a Pillow Cover

Prepare the Fabric

Wash and dry your fabric. Iron it if you can. For my pillow I used a quilted velvet so I did not have to iron it but if your fabric allows it then iron out any wrinkles that you can.

Cut your fabric into a piece of fabric that measures 21 inches X 45 inches. This is for an 18 inch pillow form. If you are making a 16 inch pillow then cut a piece that is 19 inches X 43 inches. If you are making a 20 inch pillow then cut a piece of fabric that is 23 inches X 47 inches.

Hem the Short Sides

We are going to start by hemming both of the short sides (the ones that are 21 inches long). Lay the piece of fabric with the right side down. Fold the end over 5/8 inch from the right side to the wrong side. Then fold it over another 5/8 inch and pin or clip it into place. Repeat the process for the other short side.

Since I used a fabric that would not unravel I did not bother to fold it over twice, I just did it one time. If you’re using a fabric like this then feel free to be lazy like me.

Once you have clipped or pinned it into place then sew along the two short sides, sewing about 1/2 inch from the edge (like in the dotted line in the picture).

Fold and Sew

Lay your fabric down with the right side up. You’re then going to fold one of the short sides to the middle. This is where the rotary cutting mat comes in handy. I use it to line up my pillow cover and figure out how to fold the other side over so that it makes the cover 18 inches wide.

NOW… a little word of morning… you need to stop at this point and see how your fabric lines up on the front. If you have a pattern like mine then you will want to make sure that it is centered on the front of the pillow cover.

I didn’t do the best job of that on this pillow cover but you’re better than that! You’re going to check it.

Then pin or clip the top and bottom and sew along the edge, sewing 1/2 inch from the edge (like in the picture).

Clip and Flip

Clip the points off of the four corners, being careful not to cut through the hem you just stitched.

Flip the pillow cover right side out and pop the pillow form inside.

You’re all done! Plop it onto your couch and enjoy!

Want more sewing tutorials? Check out my sewing projects page.