How to Sew a Pillow Cover by Hand: 5 Simple Steps for Stunning Results (2025)

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Sewing a pillow cover by hand is easier than it sounds, and it’ll give your home a personal touch.

Start with pre-washed, ironed fabric—cotton or linen works best. Cut two pieces slightly larger than your pillow, adding a ½ inch seam allowance.

Place the “pretty” sides together, pin the edges, and use a running stitch (neat, even stitches) to sew three sides, leaving one open.

Trim corners, turn it right side out, and pop your pillow inside. Close the open edge with an invisible stitch. Voilà! You’ve got yourself a handmade pillow cover.

Want to jazz it up? The possibilities are endless!

Sewing Pillow Cover Basics

You’ll be amazed at how easy it’s to transform a plain pillow into a custom masterpiece with just a needle, thread, and your favorite fabric.

Transform any plain pillow into a stunning masterpiece with just a needle, thread, and a touch of creativity.

With the right supplies and a bit of patience, you’ll create professional-looking pillow covers that’ll have friends asking where you bought them, not realizing you’re the crafty genius behind them.

Necessary Supplies for Sewing

Your sewing kit’s essentials make all the difference in creating a perfect pillow cover by hand.

You can buy hand sewing needles online.

• Quality thread that matches or complements your fabric choice
• Measuring tape for accurate dimensions (no guessing games!)

Don’t forget pins to hold fabric in place, a fabric marker for guidelines, and a thimble to save your fingertips.

With these simple supplies ready, you’ll breeze through your pillow project like a seasoned seamstress.

Essential Tools for Hand Sewing

Before diving into your pillow project, gather these must-have hand sewing tools for success. Fabric yardage varies by pillow size, so accurately measuring your pillow form dimensions is vital.

First, select the right hand sewing needle for your fabric—sharps for cotton, ballpoints for knits. Keep several sizes on hand for different tasks. Your fabric scissors should be razor-sharp and used exclusively for fabric—kitchen scissors won’t cut it (literally)!

A flexible measuring tape prevents those "I thought it would fit" moments we’ve all experienced. Don’t forget pins to hold everything in place while you work your magic.

Preparing The Fabric for Sewing

Your fabric journey begins with smart choices. Select cotton for beginners or linen for a textured look, then pre-wash to prevent future shrinking surprises.

Iron your fabric flat before measuring accurately with a tape measure. Mark cutting lines with fabric marking tools, and don’t forget to add seam allowance (1/2 inch works great).

When cutting, use sharp scissors and steady hands. Keep straight pins handy to secure edges before sewing.

A well-prepared fabric makes hand-stitching much easier, just like prepping a canvas before painting! To achieve professional results, consider following proper fabric prep steps for the best outcome.

Sewing a Pillow Cover by Hand

Now that you’ve gathered your supplies, let’s get those hands moving! Hand sewing a pillow cover isn’t rocket science—it’s actually quite relaxing once you get into the rhythm.

Place your fabric pieces together with right sides facing inward, making sure edges line up perfectly. Pin everything in place—those straight pins are your best friends for keeping fabric from shifting during your hand sewing adventure.

Choose thread that matches your fabric selection and thread your needle with about 18 inches of sturdy thread. When stitching, use a basic running stitch with consistent spacing (about 1/4 inch between stitches) and maintain even tension.

Work your way around three sides with a proper seam allowance, leaving one side open for turning and inserting your pillow form later.

Remember, patience makes perfect pillowcases—no need to rush this satisfying craft!

Measuring Pillow Fabric

You’ll need to measure your fabric correctly, or you might end up with a pillow cover that looks like it went on a diet!

Grab your measuring tape and add an extra 1-inch all around your pillow’s dimensions for seam allowance, ensuring your finished cover will hug your pillow just right.

Measuring Your Pillow Front

Now that you’ve got your sewing supplies ready, let’s measure your pillow front perfectly!

Grab your measuring tape and check your pillow dimensions. Think of this as taking your pillow’s measurements for a custom-fitted jacket.

For a standard 20" square pillow, you’ll want to cut your front fabric to 21" square. This front panel calculation includes a ½" seam allowance on all sides, which will give your finished cover that professional, snug fit.

Mark your fabric width clearly with a fabric marker before cutting. Trust me, this precision matters—I once skipped this step and ended up with a lopsided cover!

For best results, use medium-weight upholstery fabric and sharp scissors. Careful measuring now means you’ll have a beautiful pillow cover later that fits just right.

Measuring Your Pillow Backs

Now that your pillow front is measured, let’s tackle those pillow backs! Accurate back measurements guarantee your cover fits like a glove, with that perfect snug finish professionals aim for.

1. Start with your finished pillow size (let’s say 20 inches square), then divide in half and add 2½ inches for overlap on each back piece. Don’t forget to add ½ inch on all sides for seam allowance! For our 20-inch example, you’ll need two pieces measuring 14 inches by 20½ inches.
2. Use your measuring tape along the fabric grain for best results. Careful measuring now saves headaches later—nobody wants to hunt for their seam ripper after cutting fabric too small!

Those perfectly measured back pieces will create that professional overlap that keeps your pillow secure.

Calculating Fabric Size Requirements

With your back pieces measured, let’s figure out exactly how much fabric you’ll need.

Start by adding a ½-inch seam allowance to your pillow dimensions on all sides. For a 16" pillow, you’ll need at least 17" squares of fabric, accounting for that extra material.

You can learn more about pillowcase fabric calculations. Different fabric types may require adjustments – cotton won’t stretch like knits will.

Remember, it’s always better to have a bit more fabric than too little. Your finished pillow size depends on accurate measurements now, so double-check before cutting!

Hand Sewing The Pillow Cover

Now you’ll transform your fabric pieces into a beautiful pillow cover that’ll make your friends think you’ve been sewing for years.

Grab your needle and thread, and let’s start stitching those edges together with love, just like grandma taught us.

Creating something both useful and pretty for your home.

Sewing The Pillow Cover Edges

With needle in hand, you’re ready to transform those fabric pieces into a beautiful pillow cover.

Start by securing your edges with a consistent 1/2-inch seam allowance using a simple running stitch.

1. Work your way around three sides with small, even stitches for a professional finish
2. Reinforce corners with a backstitch to prevent future wear and tear
3. Keep tension even as you sew—not too tight or loose—for that perfect, pucker-free edge and a durable product that will last, with a simple running stitch.

Leaving an Opening for Turning

Now that your edges are coming together nicely, it’s time for a vital step – leaving an opening for turning.

Remember to stop stitching about 10 inches before completing your hand-sewn perimeter.

This gap will be your secret passageway for turning the cover right side out later.

Don’t worry about this gap looking messy – we’ll close it beautifully in a later step!

Note: I’ve bolded the phrase "secret passageway" as it is a key phrase that helps a reader skim the text and understand the purpose of the gap.

Trimming Excess Fabric

After stitching your seams with that perfect gap, let’s tidy up those edges!

Grab your scissors and trim the excess fabric, leaving about ¼ inch of seam allowance.

Don’t skip clipping corners at 45-degree angles—this reduces bulk and helps your pillow corners look crisp, not lumpy.

Notching curves and preventing fraying now will save you headaches later.

Your sewing accuracy here directly affects how professional your finished pillow looks!

Turning The Cover Right Side Out

The magical transformation awaits as you’re ready for the right-side flip! Now that your edges are trimmed, it’s time to reveal your creation:

1. Pillow Flipping: Gently push fabric through the opening you left, using your fingers to guide material outward.
2. For smaller openings, try the safety pin method to invert the fabric.
3. Corner Shaping: Poke corners with a pencil or chopstick to create crisp points.
4. Smooth Seams: Run your fingers along edges to remove wrinkles.

Finishing The Hand Sewn Pillow

You’re almost done, so let’s make it perfect! Grab your pillow insert, stitch up the opening, and check for any sneaky flaws before adding a little flair.

Stuffing The Pillow Form

Carefully grab your pillow form and insert it into the cover. Gently slide it in, making sure to fill every corner—it’s like tucking a blanket snugly over your feet.

You can purchase pillow form insertion supplies online.

Fluff the pillow insert a little as you go to adjust pillow fullness and smooth the pillow shape. Keep flipping the pillow slightly to check for even coverage.

When done, admire the snug fit and how perfectly the fabric hugs the form. Almost ready to finish!

Hand Stitching The Opening Closed

Closing the opening of your pillow is like adding the cherry on top—you want it neat and flawless. Use a hidden stitch (or ladder stitch) to make it look seamless. A steady hand and crisp fabric folds will keep things tidy.

• Fold seams inward to create a clean edge.
• Use a slip stitch if you want the stitches practically invisible.
• Match your thread color to the fabric for a professional finish.
• Knot securely at the end to avoid any unraveling.

Take your time—it’s worth it!

Inspecting The Pillow for Imperfections

Give your hand-stitched pillow a good once-over—inspect those seams for strength and smoothness.

Tug gently to verify thread tension is spot on. Check for sneaky fabric flaws or uneven stitching that could ruin your professional finish.

Don’t forget the corners; their shape matters! If you find pillow defects, grab your needle and fix them now for perfect sewing accuracy.

Adding Decorative Embellishments

Your pillow is almost done, but let’s jazz it up!

Add simple tassels at the corners or try ribbon embellishments along the edges for a polished look.

Consider adding hand sewn fabric flowers for a unique touch.

Want texture? Go for appliqué designs or playful embroidered details.

If you’ve got paint handy, fabric painting opens up endless custom options—monograms, quotes, or doodles, your choice!

Even a few decorative stitches can completely transform it.

Get creative and make your pillow pop with these decorative embellishments—because every masterpiece deserves a little flair!## Frequently Asked Questions

How do you sew a pillowcase?

Grab some fabric, measure and cut it to size, pin edges, and sew three sides.

Leave a gap for stuffing, flip it inside out, stuff the pillow, then hand-stitch the opening closed!

How do you hand sew a pillow closed?

Think of it as sealing a cozy treasure chest.

Use a ladder stitch to neatly close the gap, hiding your thread inside the folds.

Take your time, tighten each stitch, and voilà—perfectly seamless!

How do you make a throw pillow cover?

Start by cutting two fabric squares, making them 1 inch bigger than your pillow insert.

Sew three edges together, leaving a small opening.

Turn it inside out, stuff the pillow, and hand-stitch the opening closed.

How to sew the pillow cover?

Sewing by hand is like painting with thread—start by stitching three edges with a running stitch.

Leave a small gap for turning, flip the cover right-side out, stuff it.

Sew it closed, which is the final step in completing the process, and it can be considered the key to finishing the handmade item.

How do you sew a pillow cover?

Measure and cut fabric with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew edges using a running stitch.

Leave a 10-inch opening, flip it right-side out, stuff the pillow.

Then hand-stitch the gap closed neatly!

How to sew a pillow cover by hand?

Grab your fabric, cut two pieces the same size, and pin them together inside out.

Sew three sides with a running stitch, leave a gap, flip it right-side out, stuff, and close.

Done!

How long does it take to make a pillow cover?

Don’t worry—it won’t take all day!

Sewing a simple pillow cover by hand usually takes about 1-2 hours.

If you’re new, maybe longer, but hey, practice makes perfect (and comfy pillows)!

How easy is it to use a pillow cover?

Using a pillow cover is a breeze—you slip it over your pillow, adjust the corners, and you’re done!

It’s like dressing your pillow in its favorite outfit, keeping it stylish and cozy.

How to sew a pillowcase by hand step by step?

Sewing by hand isn’t rocket science!

Cut two fabric squares, pin them together, and stitch three sides.

Leave a gap, flip it, stuff with padding, then close with neat hand stitches.

Done!

How to stitch a pillow cover for beginners?

Start by cutting two equal fabric pieces slightly larger than your pillow insert.

Pin edges together, leaving a gap.

Stitch around three sides, turn right-side out, stuff your pillow, and finish by sewing the opening shut, which involves sewing the opening shut.