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Creativity & Motherhood

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CRAFT, Creativity, DIY GIFTS, Everyday, HOLIDAYS, HOME DECOR, HOME DESIGN, LIFE TIPS & TRICKS, Lifestyle, SEW ·

How to Make Winter/Holiday Pillow Slipcovers (TUTORIAL)

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While decorating for the holidays this year I looked around and realized that my couch pillows were not very festive and in some rooms the color combinations even clashed (oh the horror!). I contemplated purchasing a few new ones for the season… and by a few, I tallied that I would need about 11 pillows to satisfy by design craving. However, after a quick stroll down the pillow section at the store and a thorough scan online, I realized I’d be investing a small fortune. Additionally, I discovered that this would mean finding a location to store these 11 pillows throughout the remainder of the year. That’s when I decided I needed to learn how to make a pillow cover.

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I went to the local craft store, purchased flannel/plaid print and linen fabric, a few select pieces of felt, buttons and bells. I came home, began measuring/cutting/sewing and a couple of days later (factor in the time caring for a curious toddler and infant took away from the project) and all 11 pillows were covered and festive as planned! The best part?! I spent a mere fraction of what I would have had I purchased the covers or pillows outright.

Interested in how to make a pillow cover? It is easier than you may think! Enjoy the tutorial below.

NOTE: Are you not interested in holiday pillow covers, but general covers instead? This template will work great for that as well!

* Affiliate links are included in this post. All this means, is that if you click on one of those links and purchase something, I may receive a small commission. However, you will not pay a penny more- promise!

Don’t quite feel confident in your sewing skills? Don’t let that stop you! Check out my post on “How I Taught Myself to Sew and You can Too!” Or, simply, check out this ideal video tutorial of Sewing Machine Basics. Then step over to these Online Craft Classes (select “Sewing”) that include video demonstrations in order to learn more advanced techniques!


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WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

  • sewing machine (you could always stitch by hand, but it may take you until the following holiday season to finish them. Eek! Note: Don’t want to spend a small fortune on a machine? This one here is a starter favorite and very affordable!
  • thread
  • scissors
  • pins
  • ruler/yard stick/measuring tape
  • tailors chalk (I prefer chalk to mark measurement cutting line so I don’t damage the fabric)
  • fabric (any pattern or design of your choosing. All couch pillow sizes tend to vary so you’ll have to adjust total fabric yardage based on your personal needs. However, I found that I yielded about 3 standard couch pillows out of 2 yards of fabric. In order to make 11 pillows, I purchased a total of 7.75 yards (5 different patterns) and had scraps left afterwards. Note: my favorite place to choose from the largest selections of fabric is here.)
  • 9×12 felt sheets (one sheet per pattern)
  • jingle bell sleeve (if you desire to make the poinsettia slipcover)
  • red button sleeve (if you desire to make the wreath slipcover)

HOW TO MAKE A PILLOW COVER DIRECTIONS:

1.) Determine the size of your pillow. Mine included 16″, 18″ and 20″. For this tutorial, I’ll focus on the 18″ pillow (my most common pillow measurement); however, be sure to adjust your measurements accordingly.

2.) Begin by cutting one piece of fabric 18 1/2″ x 18 1/2″. (Plan a 1/2″ seam for this cutting measurement. If you prefer a 1″ seam, adjust your fabric to 19″ x 19″). This is the front of your pillow.

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3). Next, cut two pieces of fabric 18 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ (Note: regardless of the size of the pillow square, the 12 1/2″ measurement will stay the same). These are the back panels of your pillow.

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4.) Now youwill need to hem one long side of each of the back panels. Turn your fabric upside down so the front of the pattern is facing down on the table. a.) Take one long side of the first panel and fold it down 1″. b) Next you will fold that same long side and fold it back up towards the edge by about 1/2″. c.) Pin alongside the entire length of the fabric panel and sew along the pin line. Be sure to repeat this step on the other panel.

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5.) Now we are going to assemble the pillow by sewing the back panels to the front one. However, if you plan to sew any object/design on the front of your pillow, you’ll want to be sure and do this NOW and prior to sewing the pieces together. (For this example we will plan to create a basic slipcover with no front design).

Begin by laying down your front panel right side up. Next, you will lay the two back panels upside down on top of your front panel so that the sides are flush. The folded edges of the panel hems should be facing upright. (Note: the two panels should be overlapping in the center and the hem you created on each panel should now be in the middle of the pillow).

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6.) Now you shouldpin the three panels together. Pin along all four edges and down the middle where the two back panels meet.

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7.) Sew along all four edges (not down the middle as this is where you insert your pillow). Reminder: if you are using the 18 1/2″ x 18 1/2” template then sew a 1/2″ seam vs. a 1″ seam (see step 2.)).

8.) Trim around your edges and remove excess fabric.

9.) Turn slipcover right side out and insert your pillow, allowing the back panels to overlap and cover your preexisting pillow.

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10.) Yay! You did it! Perhaps you were just looking for how to make a pillow cover- basic slipcovers (embellishment free). If so, sit back and relax, you are done! However, if you wish to embellish a bit more or add specific patterns then here is the remainder of the tutorial.

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As you can see, I chose to add a bear, deer and snowflake silhouette to three of my flannel pillows (these are for my more rustic basement level and I figured they could be used all winter long). Then I also created a poinsettia, wreath and car with a Christmas tree on top for three of my other pillows (clearly these are more for the Christmas holiday and I chose to incorporate them in my upstairs space).

In order to create these patterns, you’ll need to use felt pieces. I’ve included three patterns for you of my silhouettes (bear, deer and snowflake) that are able to access and download for FREE below! After printing, cut out the pattern and trace it onto your felt piece. After you cut out your pattern, simply sew it on to your pillow front prior to attaching the two back panels. Happy sewing!

To download pillow patterns, simply enter in your email below. Afterwards, you will receive access to Simply September’s “Freebies” collection where you can find these downloads and endless others!

 

ADDITIONAL PILLOW IDEAS

Now that know how to make a pillow cover, don’t stop with just the holiday pillows… be sure and check out my State Specific Pillow tutorial. You also won’t want to miss this super fun Embellished Photo Pillow tutorial.

Now, let the brainstorming begin for future slipcovers! How about you? Did you already know how to make a pillow cover prior? Do you change them out seasonally? Share below!

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Comments

  1. Kristi Mullican says

    I, too, wanted Christmas pillows for my sofa but decided to make my own using this pattern. I found a couple of cute coordinating print fleece throws at Walmart for $2.50 each! They aren’t dressy by any means…but they sure are comfy and inexpensive. I think you can get at least 5 pillows per throw. That’s 10 pillows for $5.00. Can’t beat that.

  8. Leslie says

    Your pillows are so cute! I wanted to make pillow covers for our pillows, but ran out of time. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!

  15. Lina says

    Your holiday pillows turned out great! Some years ago I made reindeer pillow slipcovers and I still love them. Thanks for sharing at Sew It Cook It Craft It. Merry Christmas!

  16. Jennifer Dawn says

    These are so fun and festive! Thank you for sharing them at last week’s link party. I hope you’ll stop by again for the party that just went live. Merry Christmas!

  17. Carol says

    Thanks for sharing at my last week’s party. I made some of these for the first time this year and I am hooked! Featuring when my party opens tonight.

  18. Linda says

    I am not finding the patterns for the Christmas pillows.
    Do you know where I can find the car with tree, and a
    Moose. Love your instructions, easy to follow.
    Thanks

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