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The Quickest, Easiest Envelope Pillows.

May 21, 2013

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This is, technically, the first pillow cover I’ve ever made and I’m excited and proud and ready to whip out 5 more, at least. In 8th grade home-ec, a friend of mine finished sewing my pillow project for me while I was absent and I was so grateful.  There were so many pieces (three), and I was feeling unenthused and overwhelmed but this method–this I’m all over!

When I say, “quick,” I mean it.  This one took me twenty minutes, but I think it only took that long because it was my first time. I can see how this whole process, from measuring for cuts to final stuffing taking 10-12 minutes. I followed this tutorial, tweaking it just a bit. Here’s how the process breaks down:

1. Measure your pillow by stretching a tape measure across the center and measure from seam to seam.  My pillow is 12″ x 21″.

2. Determine the amount of fabric to cut. This is what makes this envelope pillow so easy.  Instead of cutting two pieces for the back, you basically just wrap one long piece around the whole thing. So easy. So fast. For my 12″x21″ pillow, I cut my fabric 12.5″ in one direction and 46″ in the other direction. I calculated this by multiplying the length of the long side (21″) by 2 (to wrap around the front and back), and adding 4″ (for seam allowance and overlap). So I cut my fabric 12.5″ by (21″x 2 + 4″) or 12″ x 46″.

3. Hem the two short sides. Lay the fabric right side down with a short side towards you. For my pillow this was the 12.5″ side. Measure a 1/4 ” hem on each short side and iron them flat. On one short side hem another 1/2″ and iron–this thicker hem is the side that will show on the back of the pillow. Sew both hems.
4. Sew the other side two seams. With the fabric right side up, fold the side with the 1/2″ hem over a little more than half-way and fold the other side over so it overlaps the first side (you’ll be looking at the back of your fabric now). Make sure your fabric measures from fold to fold the same as your pillow. I just tweaked it until it measured correctly. So scientific. Pin each side seam, and sew with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Trim the seam allowance at each corner so there won’t be extra fabric in your corners keeping you from a crisp corner.

5. Turn it right side out, and push the corners out. Stuff your pillow, and you’re done.
I picked up this navy gingham at Ikea for $8.99/yard and it’s good. It’s thick, the pattern is on both sides and the color is spot on for what I was looking for in the living room. Navy is a great neutral that we’re having fun with in the house right now (hello base cabinets.)

This is easy and fast, and maybe most importantly–empowering.  I suddenly feel like, “I can sew a pillow cover!” You can. Quickly–like 5 in an hour! With kids running around! Even if you’ve never sewn one before. Let me know how it goes?

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What do you think?

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    system – it earns me extra money everyday, just
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  2. Patty says:

    If you can learn to do it! I can learn to do it! Put our heads together and we’ll get through it!
    ~Song from Anastasia… I think.

  3. Jess says:

    I love these! I’ve been avoiding using our sewing machine but maybe it’s time to bite the bullet

  4. Looks good! Envelope pillows are definitely the way to go!

  5. I just keep buying new pillows from Etsy but this makes it seem like I really could make my own! Pinning now . . .

  6. I really need to do this for throw pillows in my living room! This has given me the inspiration to do it so thank you! Now if I could just find that perfect fabric!

  7. Rydog says:

    That’s it! I’m getting fabric asap for our living room!!!! I am in love with that Print and wish Ikea was closer! 70 miles for some fabric is still too much.

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