How to Sew a Cover for a Pillow Form: Simple Steps for a Perfect Fit (2024)

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Master the art of home decor by learning to sew a cover for a pillow form easily. This step-by-step guide makes the process easy to have a perfect fit for your pillows. You will save money and feel great about making something beautiful for your space.

With these clear and exact instructions, it will not be long until you transform your living space into custom pillow covers that speak volumes about your unique style.

Let’s get started on this most rewarding sewing project.

How to Sew a Cover for a Pillow Form?

To sew a cover for a pillow form, start by selecting and prewashing your fabric to prevent shrinkage. Next, iron the fabric to remove wrinkles.

Measure and cut a 16" x 16" piece for the front and two 16" x 11" pieces for the back panels. Hem the back panel’s edges by folding over 1/4 inch twice and sewing.

Lay the main fabric right side up, place the back panels wrong side up with hemmed edges overlapping, and pin. Sew around the edge with a 1/4" seam allowance.

Trim corners, turn right side out, and insert the pillow form.

With these steps mastered, you’re almost ready to start crafting!

Measure Fabric for Pillow Form

First, measure the size of your pillow form. Take your measurements from seam to seam, then add one inch to the length and the width to allow for seam allowance.

Now, select a preferred fabric type: cotton for the more laid-back touch, linen for that crisp, clean look, or velvet for those one-of-a-kind touches. Be sure your fabric is perfectly square before cutting to avoid skewed seams.

Lay out your fabric flat and press it so that you get a precise measurement. Measure out the size of the fabric required with a ruler and pen. The accuracy of the cut ensures that your finished pillow cover will be a perfect fit, so take your time when doing this step.

Prepare Fabric for Sewing

Always prepare your fabric before you start to sew. First, prewash the fabric to get it out of the way: private after-wash shrinkages and lose any sizing or other finishes. This will help hold the shape of the fabric in place while sewing. Iron the fabric since this not only removes wrinkles and creases but also helps in the smoothness of the finish, making the fabric easier to work.

Consider the weight and texture when selecting your fabric. Cotton, linen, and polyester are good examples of suitable pillow cover fabrics. Avoid delicate fabrics like silk, as they may be more complicated. Finally, make sure your sewing machine is set up with the appropriate needle and thread for your fabric type. Then, get ready to sew after a little bit of preparation.

Fold and Stitch Fabric

Now, it’s time to fold and stitch your fabric. First, lie down your fabric flat, ensuring that your fabric choice is exemplary. The first step is hemming the short edges for a clean finish; fold each under 1 inch and iron it. Overlap by 5 inches towards the center on both hemmed edges for an envelope-style opening. Carefully pin using fabric pins so that layers don’t shift around when you stitch them. Using a sewing machine or a needle, sew along the top and bottom edges with a 1/2" seam allowance.	Fabric Selection	Types of Fabrics	Pattern Matching
Cotton	Cotton, Velvet	Floral Prints
Linen	Linen, Silk	Geometric Shapes
Polyester	Polyester, Silk	Monochrome Colors

Be precise to ensure clean, secure corners.

Trim and Turn Fabric Right Side Out

Next, trim and turn your fabric right side out. Trim off excess fabric at the corners, but be careful not to cut into the seam allowance. This helps get sharp corners and clean finishes.

Now, carefully turn the fabric right side out. Use a blunt tool—something closed, like a pen—and pop the corners out very gently so that they’re crisp.

Once turned, use your iron to iron the fabric, flattening the seams for a smooth finish.

Now, you’re ready to insert your pillow form. Carefully insert the pillow form into the cover, ensuring it fits snugly.

At this stage, your throw pillow cover should be well-rounded.

Cut Back Panels for Pillow Cover

Now that you’ve turned and pressed the fabric, it’s time to cut the back panels for your pillow cover. The correct position of back panels in the work provides an envelope closure so that insertion of the pillow form can be done smoothly. Begin by choosing what fabric you want to use and how it looks in the final presentation of the work.

Keep the thread tension adjusted so as not to pucker while stitching.

Hem Back Panel Edges

Now that you have cut out your back panels, it’s time to hem their edges for an excellent finish.

On one of the long edges, fold over 1/4 inch and iron it with your iron really well; then fold in another 1/4 inch for double thickness and appearance. This strengthens the edge and gives your throw pillow cover a professional finish.

Using pins, place the hem in position, then sew along the inner fold. Use a 1/8" seam allowance. Accurate stitching is essential.

Good hem preparation contributes to significant edge strengthening and durability. A good hem finish makes a big difference in the appearance of your home storage pattern project – whether throw pillow or round fabric basket storage bin.

Assemble Pillow Cover Layers

To construct the layers of your pillow cover, lay down your main fabric piece right side up.

Put one back panel on top of the main panel, wrong side up, with its hemmed edge towards the center.

Place the second back panel on the other side of it, also wrong side up, with its hemmed edges overlapping the first ones somewhat by about 5 inches. Make sure this overlap is even so there won’t be any looseness.

Pin the layers with pins or Wonder clips, securing around all edges. To ensure this step as best possible, methods of pinning could be followed precisely so that neither of the fabrics slips during sewing. It never hurts to iron first and have smooth, wrinkle-free layers.

Clip those corners for nice, clean edges. Now you’re ready to sew!

Sew Perimeter of Pillow Cover

Now that your layers are securely pinned, sew the perimeter of your pillow cover. Starting from one corner, sew along the complete edge of the quilt with a 1/4" seam allowance. Take care that your stitches are even and consistent so that when you finish, it results in a quality finish.

Adjust fit or embellish by piping, running in, or using bias tape in seams to ensure the best possible fits. Double-check your measurements for this very critical part of the fitted piece.

As you go, take out the pins to keep the fabric smooth, but don’t be afraid to readjust the fabrics where needed to ensure all stays in line. This will prevent puckering and result in a nice, smooth seam.

Finish and Turn Pillow Cover

Once you’ve sewn around the perimeter, it’s time to finish up. First, trim the excess fabric, ensuring to clip the corners at an angle without cutting the stitching. This helps the corners turn out crisp.

1. Turn inside out: Gently turn the pillow cover right side out through the opening. Use a blunt tool, like a knitting needle, to push out the corners neatly.
2. Press: Iron the pillow cover to flatten seams and give it a sharp look.
3. Inspect the seam: Check for any gaps or missed stitches. If necessary, add a decorative stitch along the edges for reinforcement.

   Now your pillow cover is ready for the next step involving inserting the pillow form and achieving a perfect fit with an invisible seam.

Insert Pillow Form

Finally, turn your pillow form into the cover you have just sewn. Gently press and adjust it at the corners so that it feels snug. The following table briefly shows inserting a pillow form, informing on various pillow options, design choices, and fabric selection tips :

Pillow Options

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)