Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew simple envelope pillow covers that freshen up a whole couch in one afternoon.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is Basics Purple White Dots from Santee Printworks.
It is a 100% cotton quilting fabric.
It measures 44"/45" wide.
It is sold by the yard.
The brand is Santee Printworks, from TC Studio.
The collection is called Basics.
The color is Purple.
The pattern is clean white dots on purple.
The product notes call it a dependable dot basic.
It suits bindings, backgrounds, and scrap quilts.
I would add pillow covers to that list, y'all.
White dots on purple read cheerful, not busy.
The repeat is small and even.
That means no fussy matching at the seams.
Cut it, sew it, and the dots behave.
And because it is a basic, it plays well with others.
Pair it with a solid purple, a soft lavender, or plain white.
Completely up to you.
Why it suits pillow covers
We are making envelope-style covers.
Each one fits an 18" square pillow form.
No zipper.
No buttons.
Just two overlapping panels in the back.
The form slips in, and the overlap holds it.
Easy on, easy off for washing.
That matters, folks.
Pillow covers work hard in a living room.
They catch snacks, naps, and grandkid hugs.
Big front panels show off this dot print beautifully.
One solid piece, no piecing at all.
Super duper easy, and really really satisfying.
Materials list
- 1 yard of Basics Purple White Dots — enough for two 18" pillow covers
- Two 18" square pillow forms
- Thread to blend with the purple
- Rotary cutter, mat, and a clear ruler
- Pins or clips and a marking pencil
- Your sewing machine and an iron
Short list, right?
That is the beauty of this project.
Brief steps
First, press your fabric well.
Wrinkles will lie to your ruler, every time.
For each cover, cut one front panel.
Cut it 18 1/2" by 18 1/2".
Then cut two back panels.
Cut each one 18 1/2" wide by 13" tall.
Hem one long edge of each back panel.
Fold it under 1/4", press, then fold 1/4" again.
Stitch that hem down nice and slow.
Set your stitch length to about 2.5 millimeters.
That is roughly 10 even stitches per inch.
Now lay the front panel right side up.
Place the back panels on top, right sides down.
Hemmed edges overlap in the middle by about 4".
Pin all the way around the outside edge.
Sew around all four sides with a 1/4" seam.
Slow down at the corners, folks.
Pivot with the needle down for a clean turn.
Trim the corners at an angle, close to the stitching.
Turn the cover right side out.
Poke the corners out gently with a chopstick.
Press it flat, all the way around.
Slip your pillow form inside.
Fluff it, karate-chop the top, and admire.
Just like that, you have a pillow cover.
Make the second one the exact same way.
Practical tips from my sewing table
Press every seam as you go.
A crisp cover looks store-bought, y'all.
Check your overlap before you sew.
Too little overlap, and the back gaps open.
Four inches is the sweet spot for an 18" form.
Want a fancier edge?
Add a second row of topstitching 1/4" inside the seam.
It looks like a flange, with zero extra fuss.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
And here is your permission beat, folks.
It does not have to be perfect.
A slightly soft corner is not a failure.
You are your own worst critic.
Everybody else will just see fresh, happy pillows.
Take your time.
It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Go fluff those pillows and enjoy your couch again.
Thanks for spending a little time with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Basics Purple White Dots Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
