Hey everyone. Today we're making a cozy envelope pillow cover you can sew in one sitting.
Let's start with the fabric, y'all. This is the 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Hide Raindrop. It comes from Shannon Fabrics as a 2-yard cut. That is plenty for this project, with leftovers too.
It is a Luxe Cuddle fabric. Folks also call this family minky. It is 100% polyester. Run your hand across it once. You will feel that plush, cozy hand right away. Super duper soft.
The colorway here is Hide Raindrop. It does not need a busy print to stand out. The name and that plush texture do the work. Just like that.
Care is simple. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. And no fabric softener. Follow that, and your cover stays soft.
The Project: A Cozy Envelope Pillow Cover
Our cover fits an 18-inch square pillow form. Finished, it measures about 18 inches by 18 inches. That is a great size for a couch, a reading chair, or a bed.
An envelope cover has no zipper and no buttons. The back panels just overlap. You slide the form in, and you are done.
Why does this fabric suit a pillow cover so well? A pillow lives on touch. This Luxe Cuddle feels warm and welcoming right away. Folks lean right into that pile. And that pile is forgiving, too. It hides little wobbles in your stitching. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Materials
- Your 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Hide Raindrop — you will use one 19 inch by 19 inch piece for the front, and two back pieces at 19 inches by 13 inches each
- One 18 inch square pillow form
- 50-weight polyester thread to match
- A 90/14 ballpoint or stretch needle
- Wonder clips or long pins — plush likes to shift as you sew
- Walking foot for your machine, if you have one
- Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter, a marking tool, and a point turner
Brief Steps
Here we go. First, shake your cut outside before you cut it. Cut Cuddle makes a little snowstorm, folks. A good shake first saves your sewing room later.
Second, lay the fabric flat on a big table. Stroke it with your hand to find the smooth direction. You want all three pieces running the same way. Mark and cut your front and back pieces to size.
Third, finish one long edge on each back piece. Fold that edge under 1/2 inch, then fold it again. Clip it in place. Topstitch it down at about 3.0 mm stitch length. That is roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch.
Fourth, lay the front piece right side up. Place both back pieces on top, right sides down. Their finished edges should overlap in the middle by about 4 inches. Clip all the way around. Place clips every 1 to 2 inches. This fabric creeps, so give it nowhere to go.
Fifth, sew around all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Keep that same 3.0 mm stitch length. Slow down at the corners, or the layers will shift on you.
Sixth, trim the corners at an angle. Be careful not to clip your stitches. Turn the cover right side out through the envelope opening. Push the corners out gently with your point turner.
Seventh, slide your pillow form inside. Work it corner to corner with your hands. Give it a good fluff and a shake. Alrighty, you are done.
Practical Tips
I will be honest with you. My first Cuddle cover shifted on me. One side wandered while I sewed. Oh my goodness, what a lesson. I learned to clip more than I thought I needed. And to let the walking foot do the feeding. Do not pull this fabric through the machine.
Keep a lint roller by your machine, too. You will need it. And keep your seam allowance honest. A full 1/2-inch seam is your friend on plush. A tiny seam can pull loose when folks squeeze and lean on that pillow every day.
Use your leftover Cuddle for a second cover. I prefer a matching pair on the couch. Completely up to you.
Here is your permission beat, friends. Your pillow cover does not have to be perfect. A slightly wavy edge will not matter one bit. You're your own worst critic. Folks will just feel warm and cozy. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for spending a little time with me today. Make one for your favorite cozy corner. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Hide Raindrop at Linda's Electric Quilters.
