Tatertots and Jello

COLORFUL HAPPY HOME -- Daily DIY, Decor, Craft and Recipe Tutorial

  • My Home
    • 1905 Cottage
    • Daybreak House
  • DIY
    • DIY Projects and Ideas
    • Organizing
    • Tutorials
    • Printables
  • Decor
    • Spring Projects
    • Summer Projects
    • Fall Projects
  • Crafts
    • Kids Crafts
    • Painting Projects
    • Paper Projects
    • Sewing
    • Wreaths
  • Holidays
    • Valentines Day
    • Easter
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • HAPPY Holidays Series!
  • Recipes

Explore

  • my home
  • diy
  • decor
  • crafts
  • holiday
  • printables
  • recipes

Connect

Home » diy » Make a Pillow Cover in 4 Easy Steps!

diy, halloween, holiday, pillows, tutorial · October 4, 2012

Make a Pillow Cover in 4 Easy Steps!

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Halloween Pillow Covers in 4 easy steps!

 

I have a small obsession with pillows. They are such an easy way to change the look of the room and add seasonal festivity.

But I don’t have tons of room to store them. So that’s where pillow covers come in. Pillow covers are slipcovers for your pillows. I recently saw some pretty pillows on one of those daily deals sites. A set of pillows for $99. And they were reduced from $238. That’s a pretty good deal.

I realized that I already had that same material. And guess what? I made the same pillow covers for $4 each. Plus, my pillow covers are almost twice as big as their pillows.

Granted, that $4 didn’t include the pillow form. What I love about pillow covers is I can take a pillow form and change out the covers as often as I like. And, when I’m not using the covers, I can fold them up and store them in my linen closet.

This summer I learned how to make a pillow cover with a zipper and that was not nearly as hard as I thought it was going to be. But, making a envelope pillow cover is even easier. You can do it in just minutes in 4 easy steps.

Here’s how to make the covers:

1. Measure your pillow form. Add 1 inch total to the width and height for seam allowance and cut out the material.

2. Cut out the back panels of the pillow. Take the width of the front pillow cover, divide it in half and then add three inches to the total for both panels. So if you have an 18 x18 pillow, add an inch for the seam allowance — so the width will now be 19 inches, and each back will be 12.5 inches in width. The height will be the same as the front.

3. Take the length of each of the panels that will be overlapping and fold the seam twice to create a smooth seam. Sew the seam on both back panels.

4. Pin the back panels to the front panels with the right sides facing inward. Then sew around the entire pillow cover. I back stitched over each of the seams for durability. Turn it right side out and put the pillow insert inside.

Note — if you want even crisper edges, you can sew a stitch around the entire outside of the pillow once it’s turned right-side out. Like this:

Here is a picture of the back of the pillow, showing the two panels that open so you can insert the pillow cover:

These are just a few pillows I’ve been working on for my Halloween Pillow Display. The whole reveal is coming up next week! This is what my pillows looked like before:

and after:

And I love that my Spring Pillows are still there under the pillow covers, all I have to do is take the covers off when I want to use them again!

Happy Halloween!!

 

What’s YOUR favorite holiday to decorate for?

xoxo

Posted By: Jen · In: diy, halloween, holiday, pillows, tutorial

FOUR Printable Halloween Gift Tags!
Family Picture Wall: Ghostly Edition!

You’ll Also Love

Amazing Summer DIY Home Ideas
how to upcycle sweaters into luxury sweater pillows with fur pom pomsEasy Sweater Pillows Covers with Fur Pom Poms
Make 10 minute spring pillow covers. Change up the look of your room in just minutes inexpensively.Make 10-Minute Spring Pillow Covers

Comments

  1. Alicia says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:45 AM

    I am math-challenged! Would you look at your #2 on the pillow directions and explain that a little more, please? Thank you.

  2. web designer flint says

    June 26, 2014 at 1:02 PM

    However, many websites have forgotten this fact and made intricate desiigns out
    of it, such as using dark font colors against dark background or
    white foont color with light background. Somee companies
    aare putting thee knowledge of HTML 5 to the optimum use.
    Disclosure statement: Transportation and lodgng were provided by
    West – Jet for this event.

  3. Quick Ways to Make Money says

    June 25, 2014 at 7:37 PM

    I have read a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.

    I surprise how so much attempt you place to create any such
    wonderful informative website.

  4. jengd says

    January 14, 2014 at 12:19 PM

    You posted this on a day when I was going out to buy fabric to use up 2 pillow forms. I thought I’d try this instead of another pattern I have. I JUST finished it and it’s definitely going to be the way I do the 2nd pillow. SO easy! Thanks!

  5. Stella says

    November 1, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Thanks so so much! I really appreciate the time you put into typing this all out !

  6. roselee says

    October 27, 2013 at 6:51 PM

    Thank you for the inspiration!
    http://roseleej.blogspot.com/2013/10/custom-halloween-pillows.html

  7. roselee says

    October 27, 2013 at 6:50 PM

    Thank you for the inspiration! http://roseleej.blogspot.com/2013/10/custom-halloween-pillows.html

  8. Martha says

    October 19, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    What a great idea, was about to sew pillows for twin beds and this is a great idea on how to do it, many thanks. I didn’t want to out a zipper in but did want to remove the cover for cleaning, so this will work well.

  9. making extra money online says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Excellent site you have got here.. It’s difficult to find quality writing like yours nowadays.
    I truly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  10. jennifer davis says

    August 30, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    I’m trying to figure how much total fabric I would need for one pillow. Is 1/2 yd enough for one?

  11. Rebecca says

    June 25, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    I love the pillows but…I have a question. Did you also make slip cover for sofa? If so…do you have instructions for it as well?

  12. carole says

    May 17, 2013 at 3:24 PM

    Thanks for the tutorial. My question is, if you want to do the last step of sewing around the outside to make it crisper, wouldn’t you need to add to the fabric measurements to allow for this?

  13. Nancy Russell says

    February 26, 2013 at 9:47 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!! I have 4 pillows to make, and I’m SO glad I read your instructions before starting! This will be so much easier and look much better than what I was planning to do! I really like the idea of being able to remove the cover and change them out! You’re fantastic!!!

  14. Sarah says

    January 21, 2013 at 7:36 PM

    Oh my gosh! I love this! I want to get sewing ASAP! You do such a great job explaining! Love your ideas!!

  15. TJS says

    January 2, 2013 at 11:11 PM

    WOW!! I am so glad I found this post. I just made the cutest pillow cover for my daughters’ room. It is literally the second time I have ever touched a sewing machine. Fantastic. Thank you so much! Can’t wait to finish the next few to finish it off!

  16. barbara says

    November 21, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    How much would you charge to make these for someone?

  17. Sydney says

    October 13, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    I made some envelope backed pillow covers recently that are fall colors but still incorporated in my turquoise and browns and rusts that are in my living room. So cute and easy to do, I’m so glad you are sharing these with everyone. I made six of them in 30 minutes (I’d cut them out the night before). So fun!

  18. Carla says

    October 10, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    Perfect timing I just bought some fabric to recover a dying pillow meaning it’s falling apart but the stuffing is still good. I was gonna sew it up but the envelope cover is much more convenient and easy. Thanks

  19. Kelly says

    October 9, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    Thanks for this! I have some pillows to make and I would have made it much more difficult. 🙂 P.S. I love the orange and black with the dots!
    kelly

  20. Ashley says

    October 5, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    Where did you get this fabric. A the yellow one too? I just bought two of these polka dot pillows from etsy for my nursery because I could not fin the Fabric. 🙁 so ridiculously expensive. Would love to know where you find such modern prints.

    • Jen says

      October 5, 2012 at 1:42 PM

      Hi Ashley! Sure – I bought them from fabric.com. They were $5 per yard. I posted the link down a little in another comment.

      xoxo

  21. Wendy says

    October 5, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    Did this! Even posted about it. So easy. I even used some rick rack on the “back” and now it is the front. So cute and easy! thanks for the tutorial!

  22. Good Time Charlie says

    October 5, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    Jen, I can’t believe it is this easy! I love making pillows, but I just sew them shut and hope that the person buying them at my boutique space doesn’t get them dirty! This would definitely “up” the appeal. I have an endless supply of pillow forms and fabric. I am starting on some tonight!

  23. Camille says

    October 5, 2012 at 9:37 AM

    I had to think about the back…but once I thought it through (while in the shower! ha) I got it. Thanks SO much for this tutorial. I too am a beginner and have a machine that does WAY more than anything I’ll probably ever accomplish. My Mom was a quilter and this was her machine. LOVE these!

  24. Jeannie-JB says

    October 5, 2012 at 8:29 AM

    Thanks so much for the easy peasy pillow tutorial – I’m always looking for an easier way.
    This tutorial is so great I had to pin, tweet, and like it. I never do all that! Thanks again.

  25. laughingabi says

    October 4, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    Hi Jen. I use this method to make pillow shams for our beds too. So much cheaper than buying them at the store & I can make exactly the color or pattern I want.

  26. jenn says

    October 4, 2012 at 7:37 PM

    can’t you post a pic of the envelope back?

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 8:39 PM

      Hi Jenn!

      I just added a picture of the back of the pillow cover so you could see it 🙂

      xoxo

  27. Kelly says

    October 4, 2012 at 6:38 PM

    I share your pillow cover obsession! My hubby gives me a hard time because I have Fall, Winter, and Summer throw pillow covers (who doesn’t?) 🙂 I might have to give this a shot!

    • Carolyn W says

      October 8, 2012 at 5:35 PM

      Me, too! 🙂 And I’m thinking I need to add Christmas pillow covers. It’s an obsession, but a pretty safe one if you make your own covers!

  28. Jen says

    October 4, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    My mil (a FIVE STAR seamstress) when visiting a few weeks back, I had asked her how to do this very thing you are showing. She explained it to me as visually as she can. Now with your tut. and her visual tut. I need to dive in and go for it. Love the pillows.. now about that ghost one? I WANT ONE! did you make him? or can I buy him somewhere? please share. xo, jen

  29. Rachel says

    October 4, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    Where did you get the ghost pillow?

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 5:15 PM

      Hi Rachel!! The ghost pillow was a gift I received for my birthday a few years ago. It would be really fun to make though!

  30. Chelsea says

    October 4, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Love! I hate sewing zippers so I’m always looking for ways around them! Thanks for this great tutorial. I love those orange and white polka dots!

  31. Jen says

    October 4, 2012 at 4:10 PM

    Thanks Brenda!! I agree. These are so much easier and faster than making ones with zippers 🙂

    xoxo

  32. how2home says

    October 4, 2012 at 3:40 PM

    These are so adorable! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 3:54 PM

      Thanks so much for stopping by! I appreciate it so much!!

      xoxo

  33. Rochelle says

    October 4, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    Cute pillows. $99 for pillows is NEVER a good deal. That is a major rip off, unless the pillows have gold or diamonds woven in them. I don’t know why you would do that, but still, that’d be my conditions. Or a secret treasure map hidden inside.

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 3:55 PM

      hahaha!! Yes!! I was so bummed when I saw the price on those because there were some really cute styles. A secret treasure map would be awesome 🙂

      xoxo

  34. Jessica@SweatismySanity says

    October 4, 2012 at 1:37 PM

    Love. Had to pin it. 🙂 Jessica

    SweatismySanity.com

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM

      Thanks so much Jessica!!

      xoxoxoxo

  35. Ahna @ Easier Than I Thought says

    October 4, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    That looks adorable. I love the ghost pillow too!

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM

      Thanks Ahna!! I love the ghost pillow too. Those pom poms are so fun 🙂

      xoxox

  36. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says

    October 4, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    Really cute–and what’s great, is when you have the black and orange together, it’s totally Halloween, But split them up and they could fit into regular decor!

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 3:57 PM

      That’s so true Steph!! I am loving orange right now for some reason. I think I’ll keep those out 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!

      xoxoxox

  37. Megan says

    October 4, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    These are so cute! Everything you do is incredible! Thanks for all the work you put into your blog. I visit your blog pretty much every single day, but don’t always leave comments. But thanks to our good friend Lara I’ve been inspired to leave more comments & express my appreciation. So thanks.
    -Meg

  38. Monica says

    October 4, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    So cute and simple thanks so much for sharing! And is that your famous crib inch I see in the background that use to be black? I absolutely love it I think it’s still my favorite project of yours… well, 1 of them! 😉

    • Monica says

      October 4, 2012 at 9:57 AM

      Sorry for the typo…I meant crib bench 🙂

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 3:58 PM

      Monica!! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. That means so much to me. You are so sweet to remember my projects. Wow – you made my day.

      xoxo

  39. Colleen says

    October 4, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    You lostme at the divide?? After adding an inch it’s 19….so how do you get 12.5 for width? Isn’t it 19? Sorry if I’m sounding dumb here…..
    Those are real cute and I’d love to give it a try

    • Nancy says

      October 4, 2012 at 11:07 AM

      I’m with you. I don’t get it.

    • Joan says

      October 4, 2012 at 11:19 AM

      I was lost at “cut out back panels of the pillow”.

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 4:02 PM

      Hi Colleen and Nancy and Joan. Sorry to confuse. I was thinking maybe I would make a little video. I always think it’s easier to figure something out if I can see it. So you cut out the front panel which for my pillow was a square. Then for the back you have TWO panels. They are each the same size, but they overlap in the back so you can put your pillow inside the panels and the overlap keeps the pillow inside the cover. So you take half of the width which was 19 inches for my pillow — half of that is 9.5 inches and then add three inches for the overlap — so each back panel is 19 inches high and 12.5 inches wide. Then when you sew it together the back panels overlap. I hope that makes sense. Send me an email if you have any other questions and I would be happy to help.

      xoxoxo

  40. Teishi Kennedy says

    October 4, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    Where did you find that fabulous polka dot fabric?

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 4:06 PM

      Hi Teishi!

      I got the fabric through Fabric.com — http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=89c90237-1957-41be-ad40-8e2db15ab7a6

      xoxoxo

  41. Amy G says

    October 4, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    OK, love the polka dot covers, of course, but that ghost pillow?! That has got to be the cutest thing ever!!!You always have such great ideas, Jen. Thanks for sharing.

  42. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke Photography says

    October 4, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    LOVE those halloween pillows (and that ghost is stinkin cute). I need to keep calm and pull out my sewing machine because threading that thing intimidates me, but I’m limiting myself so much by not using it!!! I need new pillows and have tons of fabric, great tutorial!

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 4:08 PM

      Thanks Kristen!! I was afraid of sewing machines for so long. I finally decided that I wanted to learn. So I am still just a beginner. But it’s so fun to create things myself, even if they aren’t perfect lol.

      Thanks for the comment my friend!

      xox

  43. Heidi (@MamaNibbles) says

    October 4, 2012 at 6:42 AM

    I love this money saving idea! 🙂

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 4:08 PM

      Thanks Heidi!! It’s amazing how much money I saved yay!!

      oxox

  44. Sandy T. says

    October 4, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    I do the same thing myself! I love pillow covers, it is so easy and quick to change the decor from one season to the next. In fact, as a gift for my SIL, I gave her a pillow form with covers that I made for all the different holidays, and she just switches it out for the season.. she loved it! Envelope back pillows are the best! I never thought of sewing a stitch around it for a crisper edge, think I will try it next time.

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 4:09 PM

      Oh my gosh – I love that idea!! I am totally doing that. What a great gift idea. You are so smart Sandy!!

      xoxoxo

    • Camille says

      October 5, 2012 at 9:38 AM

      Oh Sandy…what a FABULOUS idea! I’m always looking for different Christmas gifts!

  45. ~amy~ says

    October 4, 2012 at 6:02 AM

    Thanks for these…I LOVE pillows!

    • Jen says

      October 4, 2012 at 4:09 PM

      Thanks for stopping by Amy!! I appreciate it so much. Have a happy day!!

      xoxo

  46. Brenda says

    October 4, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    Hi Jen. Thanks for this tutorial. I too can make pillow covers with zippers, but I always tend to put off the project because it seems to take so long. Your method seems so simple – and quick. I really need to update my couch pillows – I’ll be trying this!

Hi! I'm Jen Hadfield. I'm a mom of 5 restoring an 1891 home in the heart of Salt Lake City. I love being creative and sharing simple ideas to make your life easier and more beautiful!

Receive the Latest Crafts, DIY, Recipes and More in your INBOX!

Follow us on Pinterest! It's awesome!

Top Posts & Pages

Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with a DIY Recirculating Fountain! (tutorial)
A New Deck in Under 30 Minutes!
Copycat Panera Spinach and Artichoke Egg Soufflés - SO good!
DIY Secret: How to Print on Post-It Notes (and Free Printable Template)
12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!
Mother's Day Cup Holder Gift Basket

 

Popular Posts

  • Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with a DIY Recirculating Fountain! (tutorial)
    Spruce up Your Outdoor Space with a DIY Recirculating Fountain! (tutorial)
  • A New Deck in Under 30 Minutes!
    A New Deck in Under 30 Minutes!
  • Copycat Panera Spinach and Artichoke Egg Soufflés - SO good!
    Copycat Panera Spinach and Artichoke Egg Soufflés - SO good!
  • DIY Secret: How to Print on Post-It Notes (and Free Printable Template)
    DIY Secret: How to Print on Post-It Notes (and Free Printable Template)
  • 12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!
    12 Must-Have Items to Pack on an Alaskan Cruise!
  • Mother's Day Cup Holder Gift Basket
    Mother's Day Cup Holder Gift Basket
  • The BEST Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Recipe!
    The BEST Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake Recipe!

As seen in





Amazon Affiliate

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
  • About Me
  • Advertising
  • Get Featured

Copyright © 2025 Tatertots and Jello · Privacy
This site is a place for positive discussion and ideas. Negative talk, comments that disparage others, and similar are not welcome and may be removed.