Hey everyone. Today you are going to learn how to turn one cheerful patriotic print into a pair of pillow covers.
Here we go.
Meet the Fabric First
This one is American Freedom #33 Multi Words from Marshall Dry Goods.
It is 100% cotton. It is 45 inches wide. It is sold by the yard.
The print is words. Multi words, in multiple colors.
The full name tells the story. American Freedom #33 Multi Words 45" wide Fabric per yard.
That word print is the whole charm here. You do not need fancy piecing. The fabric does the decorating for you.
Cut it big. Let the words show. Just like that.
I love a print like this for home decor. It reads clearly from across the room. It still looks fun up close on the couch.
The Project: Envelope Pillow Covers
We are making envelope-style pillow covers. No zipper. No buttonholes. No fuss.
An envelope back overlaps in the middle. You slide the pillow form in. You slide it back out for washing.
Why does this fabric suit it? Three good reasons.
First, 100% cotton is easy to press. Crisp hems matter on a cover. Cotton gives you those crisp edges.
Second, the 45-inch width works beautifully. One width gives you plenty of room for an 18-inch cover.
Third, the words need space. A pillow front is one big, flat panel. Nothing gets chopped into tiny pieces.
We are not reinventing the wheel here. We are framing a great print. Super duper easy.
Materials List
- 1 yard of American Freedom #33 Multi Words
- Two 18-inch square pillow forms
- All-purpose thread to blend with the background
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
- Pins or clips
- Iron and pressing surface
- Sewing machine with a standard presser foot
One yard makes two covers. That gives you a matched pair. A pair looks finished on a couch or bench.
Want just one cover? Half a yard will do it. Completely up to you.
Cutting the Pieces
For each 18-inch cover, cut one front at 19 inches square. That front is your showpiece. Center the words you like best.
Then cut two back pieces. Cut each one 19 inches wide by 13 inches tall.
Those backs will overlap by about 6 inches. That overlap keeps the form tucked in. No gaping. No peeking.
Take a second before you cut. Turn the front piece around. Read the words. Make sure nothing lands upside down.
Ask me how I know. Yep. I have sewn words upside down. The fix was a seam ripper and a snack.
Brief Steps
Step 1: Hem the backs. On each back piece, fold one long edge under 1/2 inch. Press. Fold it under 1/2 inch again. Press again. Stitch close to the fold, about 1/8 inch away.
Step 2: Layer it up. Lay the front right side up. Lay the two backs on top, right sides down. The hemmed edges overlap in the middle.
Step 3: Pin the edges. Match all the raw edges. Pin around all four sides. Take your time here.
Step 4: Sew it. Sew around all four sides. Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance. That is roughly 12 to 14 stitches per inch on most machines for cotton like this.
Slow down at the corners. Stop with the needle down. Lift the foot. Turn. Just like that.
Step 5: Clip and turn. Clip the corners at an angle. Do not clip into your stitching. Turn the cover right side out. Poke the corners out gently.
Step 6: Press and stuff. Press the edges flat. Slide in your 18-inch form. Fluff it. Done.
Practical Tips From My Table
Press before you sew. I know. Pressing feels slow.
But a pressed hem sews straight. A wavy hem fights you. Really really simple fix, y'all.
Watch your word placement, too. Fussy cut that front panel. If a favorite word sits at the very edge, it disappears into the seam.
Give your best words breathing room. Leave at least an inch from the cut edge. You will be glad you did.
And here is your permission beat, friends. Your corners may not be perfect. Your overlap may sit a little crooked.
It does not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic. Nobody on your couch is grading seams.
Take your time. It is not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
One more idea. Make a second pair for a porch bench. Or gift a pair for a housewarming. Folks love a handmade cover.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today.
We will see you next time. Bye.
Shop the American Freedom #33 Multi Words 45" wide Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
