easy pillows



Both pillows on the chair were made this way.

 I just re-remembered this super easy way to make a pillow cover and I'm so excited that I may have to make several right away!  I think I did this when I had my first apartment, but since then I've make them with zippers and just forgot how quick and simple it is to do it the first way.

Just measure the height of the pillow form that you want to cover.  Add 1/2 inch seam allowance for the top and bottom.  That is the length of one side of the piece of fabric you will cut out in a bit.

Next, measure the width of the pillow.  You will be cutting out your fabric soon and it will look a bit like a scarf at first--short on one side and a little more than twice that long on the other side.  When you make the pillow, you will make two "back" flaps that will overlap each other, and you want each flap to be about 3/4 of the width of the pillow.  Allow an inch on each side for a hem.  So, if you have an 11x11 inch pillow, you would cut out a piece of fabric about 12 inches by 25 inches. 

the front

and the back

Now, sew a simple rolled hem on the two short sides and press the edges.  Place the fabric right side up on a tabletop.  Place your pillow form on top to check placement for sure, but you'll basically fold one side in to cover about 3/4 of the pillow.  Remove form and pin the one side in place.  Now fold in the other side, again to cover about 3/4 of the pillow and pin.  Sew across the top and bottom.  Clip your corners and trim seams.  Turn right side out, iron, and you're done!

Some hints:
If your fabric is thin, you might want to cut a piece of plain white fabric (an inexpensive sheet works great for this) the exact size as the pillow cover fabric and baste it to the "good" fabric to make your finished cover have more body. 

I sometimes skimp on the measurements a touch so the pillow really fills the cover and I wind up with a plump, cushy pillow.

If you don't want to make a run to the store or you want to save a couple of dollars, you can take a bed pillow, cut open one end, and stuff the filling into a smaller area.  Stitch the cover again, this time into a square, and you've got a pillow form.

You can easily decorate these and add embellishments any way you like!