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How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover

Written by Kimberly Coffin · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

6.6K shares

Making an Envelope Pillow Cover Is Easier Than Ever With This Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial and Video Guide! Learn How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover with one piece of fabric in Less Than 15 Minutes!

You probably didn't know that sewing an envelope pillow cover only takes 15 minutes!! The best part, you don't need a zipper for this project. It's easy enough that a beginner seamstress can make this because it's all straight lines!

Learn how to make Halloween Make-a-palooza DIY Pillows Cricut Maker here.

Before we get started making our pillow covers I wanted to share a bit about my experience with JOANN's Fabric Customizer. I knew I wanted to make some cute rainbow-striped pillows but I couldn't find the fabric I was envisioning. So I decided to give JOANN's Customizer a try and I was so impressed with everything I could do!!

A big thanks to JOANN for sponsoring this post. You can find all of the organization supplies in this post at your local JOANN store or at JOANN.com

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of floral print and rainbow stripe print envelope pillow covers on a white bench with a pink throw blanket.

There are over 20 thousand different styles you can customize. The possibilities are endless! While this can seem like a lot at first, don’t worry! You can filter these all by pattern, theme, holiday, season, color, collection, and more! 

Making an Envelope Pillow Cover Is Easier Than Ever With This Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial and Video Guide! Learn How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover in Less Than 15 Minutes! |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: Pinterest image of a rainbow stripe print envelope pillow cover on a white bench with a pink throw blanket.

Now you may be wondering how to create your own custom fabric. Don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through how to create some adorable fabric in three easy steps.

Look at these adorable fabrics I customized! I love how I can choose the exact shade I want in order to create a fabric that's a perfect match for my project!

JOANN Customized Fabric |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of Joann custom floral, rainbow stripe, botanical, and sprinkle print fabric.

Step 1 - Customize Your Design

First, you’re going to customize your design. Once you find a design you like, you’re going to have a few different options. 

Click on “Customize” to choose the colors. As you change each element’s color, you’ll get to see a preview of it on the screen. I love being able to see a preview of what my fabric is going to look like. If you don't want to mix and match your own colors, JOANN has the option to choose from predetermined color pallets. 

You can also change the scale and pattern repeat. 

Once you decide on your colors and scale, click on “Save.” 

Step 2 - Choose Your Fabric

Now that you have your fabric designed, it’s time to choose your fabric. Honestly, I was so impressed with the different fabric choices. I chose a variety of different bases to get a feel for the different fabrics.

If you click on “View Fabric Details,” you can see a picture of every single fabric they offer. You can also read a little more about each fabric to make sure you choose the right fabric for your needs. 

JOANN Customized Fabric |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of different types of fabric.

Step 3 - Place Your Order

Once you have your fabric ready to go, add it to your bag and check out. Now for the hardest part - waiting for it to arrive. 

I couldn’t wait to make this Envelope Pillow Cover with my fabric. 

Now Let's make some adorable Pillow Covers!!

Learn How to Sew an Envelope Pillow Cover |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of floral print and rainbow stripe print envelope pillow covers on a white bench.

Table of Contents

  • Pillow Cover Supply List
  • Step 1 - Cut out Fabric
  • Step 2 - Iron and Sew Folded Edges
  • Step 3 - Pin Front and Back Together
  • Step 4 - Sew Around Entire Pillow Cover & Finish Edges
  • Step 5 - Turn Right Side Out & Insert Pillow Form

Pillow Cover Supply List

  • 1/2 Yard JOANN Customized Fabric
  • Pillow Form
  • Sewing Machine
  • Scissors or Rotary Cutter & Mat
  • Ruler
  • Thread (Optional Eloflex)
  • Pins
  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • Hemming Tool
Supplies for Sewing an Envelope Pillow |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of rainbow stripe fabric, rotary cutter, fabric pins and a rotary board.

Step 1 - Cut out Fabric

Pillow Cover Fabric Cutting Chart

  • 14 x 14 Pillow - Cut 1 14" x 14" Cut 2 14" x 10"
  • 16 x 16 Pillow - Cut 1, 16" x 16" Cut 2 16" x 11"
  • 18 x 18 Pillow - Cut 1 18" x 18" Cut 2 18" x 12"
  • 20 x 20 Pillow - Cut 1 20" x 20" Cut 2 20" x 13"
  • 24 x 24 Pillow - Cut 1 24" x 24" Cut 2 24" x 15"

Measure your pillow form and find the coordinating cutting measurements listed above.

Cut out Fabric for Pillow Case |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of a woman measuring a square pillow.

Cut out one square piece of fabric for the front of the pillow and two rectangles for the back. View the cutting chart above. If you are making a different sized pillow cover, the front should measure the same as the pillow. The back pieces should be the full width of the pillow and half the height of the pillow plus three inches to account for the overlap.

Cut out Fabric for Envelope Pillow Case
How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of cut rainbow stripe fabric.

Step 2 - Iron and Sew Folded Edges

Take one of the rectangular pieces of fabric and fold one long edge under 1/2" and press. Fold it under 1/2" again and press in place with plenty of steam. Repeat on the second piece of fabric.

Iron Fabric for Envelope Pillowcase |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of a woman folding over the edge of some fabric.
How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of rainbow stripe fabric on a ironing board.

Sew along the middle of the fold 1/4" from the folded edge of the fabric.

Step 3 - Pin Front and Back Together

Lay the front pillow cover fabric on a table in front of you with the right side facing upwards. Lay the rectangular pice of fabric on top aligning the raw edges together.

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of a woman pinning together rainbow stripe fabric.

Layer the third piece of fabric on top. The back pieces of fabric will overlap each other by a few inches. Pin around the perimeter of the fabric.

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of pinned rainbow stripe fabric.

Step 4 - Sew Around Entire Pillow Cover & Finish Edges

With a 3/8" seam allowance, sew around the entire pillowcase.

Making an Envelope Pillow Cover Is Easier Than Ever With This Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial and Video Guide! Learn How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover in Less Than 15 Minutes! |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of a woman sewing rainbow stripe fabric.

Finish the raw edges of the pillow cover with a zigzag stitch or a serger to prevent the fabric from fraying.

Step 5 - Turn Right Side Out & Insert Pillow Form

Turn the pillow cover right side out and use a turning tool to push the corners outwards to create sharp corners.

Insert the pillow form into the pillow cover and enjoy your new pillow!

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of a rainbow stripe pillow cover.

Click here to customize your own fabric at JOANN.com!

Making an Envelope Pillow Cover Is Easier Than Ever With This Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial and Video Guide! Learn How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover in Less Than 15 Minutes!

Share your finished pillow covers with us in the Sweet Red Poppy Crafting & Sewing Group!

Don’t want to forget about this free template? Save this project for later! Click here to save this project on Pinterest.

Cut out Fabric for Pillow Case |How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover With One Piece of Fabric by popular Utah sewing blog, Sweet Red Poppy: image of floral print and rainbow stripe print envelope pillow covers on a white bench.

Looking for even more sewing tutorials? Click Here!

Learn how to sew a pillowcase with an invisible zipper here.

Find out how to make a pillowcase with tassels here.

Do you have any other questions about how to make an envelope pillow cover with one piece of fabric? Let me know in a comment below!

« How to Make a Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board
Free Girls Dress Sewing Pattern - The Madeline Dress »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan Thiel says

    January 30, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    I am b
    having a difficult time seeing clearly (bad eyes).. How can I enlarge the photos?

    Reply
  2. Virginia says

    January 31, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    Great tutorial. I love the chart for different sized pillows. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. luz says

    February 01, 2021 at 4:27 am

    love the colors

    Reply
  4. K says

    February 01, 2021 at 5:44 pm

    This is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!!!

    Reply
  5. Sarah Bailey says

    February 02, 2021 at 1:19 am

    I tried to post in the Facebook group but could not. Thank you for this tutorial. I was looking for a slip cover to cover pillows on my porch. I wanted to change over from Xmas to valentines. Your pattern was fantastic at the right time. I added a ban with snaps to attach it to my rocking chairs so they don’t blow off. I am so happy with your easy to follow directions. To make it more perfect I purchased my 50% clearance red fabric at Joann’s. Thank you again you are lovely

    Reply
    • Sarah Bailey says

      February 02, 2021 at 1:20 am

      I wish I could share a photo!

      Reply
  6. Catherine McCarty says

    March 02, 2021 at 4:42 pm

    I can't wait for the weekend so I can try this!!!!

    Reply
  7. Flora says

    April 23, 2021 at 4:15 am

    His do you print the instructions

    Reply
    • Larry Gunnels says

      July 10, 2021 at 11:22 pm

      I found the webpage for the .pdf file. It cost $2.00 to download it. Below is the link. I looked and did not see where it is free. I hope this helps.
      https://sweetredpoppy.shop/products/envelope-pillow-cover-pdf-tutorial

      Reply
  8. Annette young says

    July 11, 2021 at 12:27 am

    What is the hemming tool you have in the video?

    Reply
  9. Carol Ward says

    October 29, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    I live on Spain but follow yo on the internet. Good Job! Today I have reupholstered my husband’s office chair and have made a cushion to match following your very easy pattern instructions. My husband is absolutely delighted with is “man chair”!

    Reply
  10. Ivory says

    December 13, 2021 at 1:02 am

    Fabulous pillows, thanks for sharing. They are now on my to do list

    Reply
  11. JOSE MARTINEZ says

    July 25, 2022 at 9:33 am

    reparacion de calefones 097 371 390

    Reply

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Hello, I’m Kimberly, the creator of Sweet Red Poppy!

I’m a wife, mother to 3, seamstress, and lover of all things crafty! Sweet Red Poppy is my creative outlet where I find and create inspiration. It’s a place where I can share my never-ending sewing projects and my love of learning!

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