There are a few basic projects everyone should have in their pattern library. Learning how to sew an envelope pillow is one of those must-have patterns. It’s perfect for updating your home real quick, whether it’s for the holidays or special occasions. You can sew a few up and give them away as gifts. You can also make a bunch and sell them at your next craft fair. This is one of my little gifts to you. So I hope you enjoy this free sewing pattern!
Materials Needed:
- 1 yd sewing fabric
- pillow form
- coordinating thread
Instructions:
First step in learning how to sew an envelope pillow, you must determine the size of your pillow form, or desired pillow. For example, the pillow I’m making has a 14″ x 14″ finished size. Which means the pillow form I bought was 14″ x 14″.
For the front piece, we’re going to add 1″ to both measurements (to account for the 1/2″ seam allowance. So my front piece is going to be 15″ x 15″.
For the back two pieces, we’re going to cut the length in half, and add 3″ to 5″. I choose 5″ because I like a deeper envelope, and it gives me more wiggle room to make the overlap seams. Keep the width the same as your front piece. So my back pieces will each be 15″ wide by 12″ tall.
Fold the 15″ edge under 1/2″, and fold again 1/2″. Press flat, and top-stitch hem.
Repeat for the other back piece.
Now it’s time to make the pillow sandwich.
With the right side facing up, place the front piece on your work area. Place one of the back pieces, right side down, on the front piece. The seam will be towards the middle of the pillow.
Place the other back piece, right side down, on the previous back piece. The top-stitched seam will overlap the back piece, and be around the middle.
Pin around the outside edge also.
Now, stitch a complete square around the outer edges.
Clip and grade corners before turning inside out.
Time to Pretty it up
Now, it’s time to iron the pillow form. (Yes, if you did it during the other steps, your pillow will be prettier than mine. I did mine quick and dirty. Lol.)
By the way, you don’t need to serge the inside of your envelope pillow. It won’t unravel much. Feel free to skip that and safe yourself some time. Most slipcovers aren’t serged at all.
I like to use a “pressing cloth” like a plain piece of muslin or white cotton. Or like the photo above, I like to use parchment paper as a pressing cloth. It’s amazing. Seriously. You need to try it.
If you have a stubborn wrinkle, dab a little water right on it. (tap water works just fine) and iron over the area. That wrinkle will come right out! You can do this to 100% cotton, cotton/poly, and other iron safe fabrics.
I wouldn’t do this to linen and silk, but try steam instead. And keep steam and water away from wool unless you’re trying to shrink it. So just use a dry iron for wool.
Now open up your envelope and slide your pillow form inside.
Taa-dah, you did it! It wasn’t hard to learn how to sew your envelope pillow.
Awww, look at your cute little fluffy pillow. It’s ready to be snuggled up against.
I have two more tutorials in the queue, for you to turn this pillow into the mermaid pillow below.
And I used this same tutorial to make those covers with the dark florals for my couch. The ones that came with the couch were hideous. But now you know how to sew an envelope pillow! So all of us can have pretty pillows. Yay us!
And on a side note, my girls picked a princess/mermaid/unicorn theme for their room. Yep, that’s happening. So this pillow was the start of all of it. I just got a Cricut Maker, and went a little wild with it. Stay tuned as I dream up more projects for their room. 🙂
And that’s it, my lovelies! Practice making one of these. Show your friends how to sew an envelope pillow.
I have a bunch of free upgrades coming your way for this pattern.
You’ll get the free upgrades in your pattern library if you’re part of our Hive. It’s free to join, btw. It’s my way of saying thanks for not judging me when I don’t iron before I sew. 😉
If you’re interested in learning how to draft your own patterns, check out my free masterclass where I show you the exact process.
