Why pay a ton of money for something you can do yourself? That’s how I feel about throw pillows sometimes. That’s why I decided to try and see if I could make throw pillow covers on my own.
My inspiration first came after I made a DIY ottoman slipcover and I had material left over. If I use the extra material to make throw pillow covers, it might just help tie the couch and the ottoman together a little bit better.
I have a ton of throw pillows laying around that weren’t really being used. You know those pillows that come with your couches and match so well that you can’t even hardly see them when they’re on the couch? I had four of those and I don’t usually like to use the standard couch throw pillows on my couches.
My goal with couch throw pillows is for them to make a statement with either bringing a bold look or extra texture in the room.
Since sewing is my mom’s favorite hobby, I’ve done a little sewing here and there my whole life. But I’ve never actually attempted to make throw pillow covers.
I was so shocked at how easy it was to actually make throw pillow covers! Trust me, you can do this too!
A Few Reasons I Prefer to Make Throw Pillow Covers
- You can change them season to season
- They’re machine washable
- They’re easy to remove
- You can pick exactly what you want for fabric
- You can customize size and style as much as you want
How to Make Throw Pillow Covers
What You’ll Need:
- Fabric (the amount will depend on the size of the pillow and style you do)
- Pillow inserts (if you don’t have throw pillows already)
- Sewing machine
- Sewing pins
- Measuring tape
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Acrylic ruler
- Seam ripper (hopefully not needed)
Getting Started
To get ready for this project, select the pillows you want to cover. If you don’t already have pillows that you want to cover, you can purchase pillow inserts.
My first choice would be synthetic down pillow inserts. They are pricier, but in my opinion, worth the price. These pillows will last longer, they won’t change their form or get lumpy over time, and they don’t spit out feathers.
If you want to go the cheaper route, these have great reviews!
In this tutorial, I’ll teach you step by step how to make throw pillow covers that are simple and won’t be baggy on your pillows!
Step One
The first thing you want to do is measure your pillows seam to seam.
After you know the size of your pillows, you want to figure out the type of throw pillow you have in order to determine how large your cover needs to be. Just because your pillow may measure out to be an 18X18 pillow, doesn’t mean that your cover needs to be 18X18.
As weird as it sounds, you want your pillow cover to be smaller than the actual size of the pillow. If you make throw pillow covers larger than the pillow, you’ll end up with baggy pillow covers that really don’t compliment your pillows.
Feel your pillow and see how fluffy and formable it is. Every pillow is different. You might have to make your own judgement on the size pillow cover to make. If the pillow is fluffy, the pillow cover should be 2 inches smaller than the pillow itself.
Ex: If the pillow is 18 inches X 18 inches, then your pillow cover should be 16 inches X 16 inches.
However, if your pillow is firm, you’ll want to alter the size of the cover. The throw pillows that came with my couch are 16X16 pillows and are fairly firm. I made covers that were 16X16 and they fit perfectly.
Step Two
Next, you’ll want to cut out your fabric pieces. You need one piece for the front and two pieces to create the pocket insert in the back. The pocket in the back is where you’ll insert the pillow. Creating this is easier than it sounds!
You can use scissors to cut your pieces, but I prefer to use a rotary cutter, cutting mat and acrylic ruler. They help make sure you cut straight lines and the measuring is more accurate. I bought all mine in a set which is typically a better deal. This is the one I have.
Your front piece should be the size that you determined you needed for your throw pillow cover. So, if you have an 18X18 pillow, then cut a 16X16 size square out of your fabric. (Unless your pillow is firm, then cut 18X18.)
In order to make the back pocket insert, you’ll want two pieces that overlap. You’ll also need enough excess fabric to make a fold on the exposed edges of the pocket.
To make it simple, I just cut one large piece, add three inches to one side and then cut it in half to get my two pieces.
Ex: If I’m cutting a 16 inches X 16 inches front cover, I cut a piece 16 inches X 19 inches and then cut it in half. This should leave you with two pieces that are 16 inches X 9.5 inches. These will be used for the back pocket insert.
Step Three
Next, you want to create your fold on the edges of the back pieces. Take one of the back pieces and find one of the sides that is 16 inches. Making sure the fabric is face down, fold about a quarter inch towards the center twice and pin it.
I find it easiest to start in one corner and work my way down.
It should look like this.
Repeat that process on the other piece.
Then, sew the edge on both pieces, keeping the seam as close to the folded edges as possible.
You should end up with two pieces with an edge that looks like this.
Step Four
Now, you want to put all your pieces together. Start by placing your front cover on a flat surface face up.
Then, take your back pieces and place them on the top and bottom edge of the front cover. You’ll want your back pieces to be face down and the sewn edges should be overlapping each other.
Pin all the pieces together.
Step Five
Once everything is pinned, now it’s time to sew. Sew a quarter inch seam around the entire edge of the pillow cover.
Tip: I prefer to start with the foot of my sewing machine on the pocket edge that is facing away from me. The reason for this is because when you’re sewing towards a piece of fabric that is facing the opposite way of the foot, often times the foot will push and fold the fabric over while it sews.
Step Six
Flip the fabric of the pillow cover so it’s not inside out. Take your index finger to push every corner out completely and make sure the corner seams don’t break. If your finger does pop out, flip the cover inside out again and check the seam. Sew over it again if needed.
Open the pocket on the back of the pillow and slide your insert into the opening. Push one side of the pillow in and then push in the other side.
Fluff out the pillow and be proud that can now make throw pillow covers!
Conclusion
This ended up being way easier than I thought it would be and I’m so pleased to have new throw pillows in my living room. Throw pillows can make such a difference and bring so much to a space.
What do you think? Will you attempt to make throw pillow covers for yourself?
