Learn how to make DIY pillow covers with an easy envelope pillowcase tutorial and change your decor on a dime.

Seasonal decluttering, organizing and home crafts for Spring are such great DIY projects to get out of the winter blues. Today’s easy DIY is perfect for leftover and saved fabric remnants or a fun excuse to grab a great print or pattern in Springtime hues. Find out the easiest way to make pillow covers without a zipper.

Hey there! I’m Kathy, a retired military spouse, mother, pianist, and blogger. I’m always looking for ways to repurpose items, especially for the different seasons and holidays.

Why Sewing Throw Pillow Covers are Great for Seasonal Decor

I was hesitant the first time I made an envelope pillow cover but as you can see below with the step-by-step pictures, it really is a wonderful beginner sewer method that still looks professional. I’ve since made dozens of different pillow slipcovers since I shared this one.

How to make a pillow cover with a sewing machine and a no-sew method. A bright colorful print for spring is featured with a pinterest graphic. — How to Make A Pillow Cover

The best part of this easy DIY pillow cover, besides the fact that they are easy to make, is you can save money on seasonal decor by using stored or bargain fabric (don’t forget curtains and tablecloths can make inexpensive fabric options!) to change your everyday throw pillows to the seasons and holidays.

They also save room in your linen closet since you use them on your existing pillow inserts.

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover without a Pattern

I’ve been determined to use the sewing machine that my parents gifted me when I was a teenager more often now that I’m in my thirties. 😉 And am slowly getting more comfortable doing so.

How to Sew an Envelope Pillow Cover

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: easy

Use this easy tutorial for making a pillow cover without a zipper to easily change the look of your throw pillows for the season, holidays, or new style.

Materials

Throw pillow insert or form
1/2 -1 yard of fabric depending on pillow size (think twice as much as pillow with allowance)
Coordinating thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Straight pins
Tape measure
Scissors
Iron
Ironing board

Instructions

Heat up the iron.
Measure your pillow insert, add 2 inches to the length and width, and cut piece "A" (mark it with a pencil or fabric pen on the inside of the fabric if you want)
Use the first piece as a guide and cut a second piece with roughly 6 inches of extra fabric to the width. Cut it into two halves and name/label them "B" and "C".
Fold the edge of piece "B" length in 1/2 inch, iron down to create a crease, and fold another 1/2 inch and iron down to create a clean hem.
Repeat with piece "C".
Sew a straight seam across each ironed downfold. Trim extra thread at each end.
Place the piece "A" right side facing up (iron if needed). Place pieces "B" and "C" backside down on top letting the two hems overlap a few inches in the middle.
Line up the four corners and pin them in place by inserting straight pins around the outside edges 1/2- 1 inch in.
Sew a seam around the outside edges. Lift the pressure foot at each corner and turn the pillow cover 45 degrees to get a square corner. Trim extra thread.
Turn the right side out and push out each corner with a pen cap or finger.
Iron if needed.

You can easily make this project a no-sew one by using iron-on fusible tape and I’ll share how to below.

Which material is best for a pillow cover?

I used a yard of cotton fabric that I had in my crafting stash. Velvet, wool, faux leather, linen, and blends like satin/polyester or cotton sateen.

What materials do you need to make a pillowcase?

Pillow insert or pillow form (You can do this with a rectangle or square pillow)
One yard of fabric (check out this handy page for how much fabric each size of throw pillow uses)
Matching thread
Scissors
Sewing machine
Iron
Straight pins
Measuring tape

How to measure and cut a pillow slipcover

First measure your pillow insert and add two inches to the height and width. Measure and cut your first pieces of fabric with the measurement. This will be your first piece.

A yard stick is being used to measure a piece of bright colorful printed fabric for an easy envelope pillow cover. — Measure Your Fabric

Cut a second piece using your first piece for a template but add 4-6 inches to the length. Cut that piece in half. Make sure the pattern is facing the same direction as your first piece

This picture shows how to make envelope cushion covers with three pieces of cut fabric in a bright and colorful print. — Cut Pieces of Fabric

The two halves will overlap each other to create an opening for the pillow. If your fabric has wrinkles, now is a good time to iron your pieces. 🙂

The next step is to lay those two halves backside up, fold a 1-inch flap over for seam allowance, and iron so it stays in place (pieces 2 and 3). You can also fold them over twice, each 1/2 to 3/4 inch for clean edges.