Home » Home Decor » How To Sew A Pillowcase

How To Sew A Pillowcase

So last week when I shared my living room you may have spotted a few new pillows. I had searched everywhere for the perfect pillows and never saw anything I liked. I finally decided to make my own pillows and it was A LOT easier than I thought. Who knew?

Today I’m going to show you how to make a pillow cover, these are super cute AND easy slipcovers. These envelope covers are great because they slip right off and are easy to wash. I promise that anyone who owns a sewing machine can do this. You’ll only need a few things to get started.

how to sew a pillowcase

How to sew a pillow cover 20 Minutes

Supplies:

  • Riley Blake Sunny Happy Skies Fabric
  • Scissors or rotary cutter
  • Thread
  • Sewing Machine
  • Pins

Directions:

Step 1: Measure your pillow to determine the size of fabric you will need. Here’s an easy formula my MIL taught me. Length = (pillow’s size x 2)+3?, Width = pillows size + 1?. My pillow was 19″ so I cut my fabric 39″x20″ . Once you have determined the size of your fabric cut out the rectangle shape.

pillow cover supplies

Step 2: Hem both of your SHORT edges 1/2 inch.

sewing a pillowcase

Step 3: Fold your fabric in half, right sides together.

make a pillow cover

Step 4: Fold your other edge in, overlapping the first fold. It should overlap about 2-3 inches. Pin sides.

diy pillow covers

Step 5: Sew both ends shut (make sure not to close the middle—just the ends).

sewing a pillow cover

Flip the cover right side out and stuff your pillow in. See, that wasn’t too bad. You’ll be making some fabulous pillows in no time at all. Once you get started, you just can’t stop. It’s kind of addicting. I think I’ve made 5!

make a cute pillowcase

Hopefully you found this tutorial helpful. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great day!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

41 Comments

  1. Jamielyn, I like the idea of 20 minute pillow covers! Great tut! Hope your day is super fun, friend! SMiles, Jill

  2. Great post. Thanks for sharing this one. I love sewing also. In fact, when I am not busy I make dress for my kids. It seems this one is just quite easy so I will follow you to make this one.

  3. I love sewing. It is my past time so this post really get my interest. I want to buy a new sewing machine so that I can make this one. I will try to make it in 20 minutes as well.

  4. Holy easier pillow-cover Batman! I’ve been making pillow covers for fall, and never ONCE thought about having one long rectangle. I’ve been cutting out three pieces to make my envelope covers. Yay for simplicity! 🙂

  5. I made two pillow covers today!! I am soooo addicted now. My first one wasn’t perfect but my second was wonderful. Now I want to make more. Thank you!!!

  6. Hi Jaimelyn, Love your pillow cover idea. I have a question about allowing for the overlap. When doubling the width, would a + 3 inch allowance be needed to allow for the two to 3 inch overlap?

  7. This was the best and easiest tutorial for making pillow covers! I made some covers as a gift, and they turned out fantastic! Thank you so much!!

  8. Thank you for the photos. The instructions without the photos didn’t make sense. 
    In other words, you wrote as if you didn’t follow mil instructions (ha ha). This is such an easy way to sew a pillow and brighten up
    a room. 

  9. Where can I get the pattern I saw that says “I heart nap time”. I saw it on a pillow. Do you sell it?

    Thanks for much for a great website.

  10. Love your tutorial. I have made a few envelope pillow covers using two fabrics but wanted to be able to make some using just one piece of fabric so your tutorial came right on time. My question is (because I’m horrible at knowing exactly how much fabric I’ll need), following this type of pattern, do I need to use 1 yard of fabric to make these? I ask this because when I’ve made my other envelope pillow covers using two fabrics, I’ve used Fat Quarters and/or 1/2 yard of fabric. So I just need to know before I get started because I do have some 1 yard fabric and want to make some of these very soon. Thank you for such an easy tutorial and a great website. I have signed up for your site 🙂

  11. I had the question as another person about measuring. You state in the instructions your pillow was 19″ and your cut fabric was 39″x20? According to your formula, wouldn’t it be 41″x20″?

  12. What a great, easy to follow tutorial.  My pillow looks great and so quick to do.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  13. Thank you for posting this great tutorial,I am going to make a pillow snuggie for my new grandson and it calls for a zipper.You have help so much,Thank you

  14. Love making me some envelope pillow covers! Great way to re-use an old drab pillow and turn it fab in no time! 🙂