Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew a soft envelope pillow cover from one wide cut of Ivory Cuddle.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is the 3 Yard Cuddle 110" Cut in Ivory, from Shannon Fabrics.
It is their classic Solid Cuddle 3 minky plush.
It comes as a wide back pre-cut.
You get 3 yards, and the width is 108/110 inches.
That is a whole lot of soft, y'all.
The surface is smooth and ultra-soft.
The pile is 3mm, so it feels plush without getting bulky.
It is 100% polyester.
And Ivory is a warm, gentle neutral. It sits pretty on a couch, a bed, or a favorite reading chair, and it plays well with just about any color you pair it with.
The product notes list home decor projects like giant pillows among its ideal uses. I agree, folks. A pillow cover is right in this fabric's sweet spot.
Care is simple too. Machine wash cold with like colors. No fabric softener. Tumble dry with no heat, and no dryer sheet.
Why this fabric suits a pillow cover
A pillow cover has one job.
Be the first thing your hand reaches for.
This Cuddle feels soft the second you touch it, and that smooth surface looks clean and tailored on a square form.
I really, really like the size math here. One pre-cut is 3 yards by 108/110 inches wide. Cut one 18-inch cover, and you will still have plenty left for more covers, a matching throw, or a quilt back down the road.
An envelope back is the best place to start. No zipper needed. Just two overlapping panels, and the form slips right in.
Materials list
- 3 Yard Cuddle 110" Cut - Ivory — about 3/4 yard for one 18" cover, with fabric left over
- One 18" x 18" pillow form
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, and a big cutting mat
- Pins or clips — lots of them, every 1 to 2 inches
- Walking foot for your machine
- 90/14 ballpoint or stretch needle
- Polyester thread to match, and a 3.0 to 3.5mm stitch length
- Chopstick or turning tool for the corners
Brief steps
1. Shake the fabric outside first. Cut edges shed a little fluff. That is normal.
2. Watch the nap. Rub your hand down the fabric. Smooth is the direction you want running top to bottom on every piece.
3. Cut one front square at 19 by 19 inches. Then cut two back panels, each 19 by 13 inches. Those overlap to make the envelope.
4. Finish one long edge on each back panel. Fold it under 1/2 inch, then 1/2 inch again, and stitch it down. That folded edge is the one that will show.
5. Lay the front right side up. Place the back panels right side down on top, finished edges overlapping in the middle by about 4 inches.
6. Pin or clip every 1 to 2 inches. This fabric likes to travel, folks. Pinning is how you tell it to stay put.
7. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance and that 3.0 to 3.5mm stitch length. Slow down at the corners. Slow down or the needle snaps — well, forcing a thick corner sure can make it complain. Pivot with the needle down.
8. Trim the corners at an angle, turn the cover right side out, and push the corners out gently with a chopstick.
9. Slip the pillow form in through the envelope opening, smooth the cover into place, and fluff. Just like that.
Practical tips from my table
Test on a scrap first. If the seam grins open when pulled, shorten your stitch a touch.
Use a walking foot. It feeds the layers together, so your corners line up.
Check the nap before you sew. I have sewn a panel running the wrong way. Oh my goodness. The ivory looked like two colors, and yes, I fixed it. Learn from my seam ripper, y'all.
Want a different size? Measure your form, add 1 inch for seams, and cut your back panels at about two-thirds of that width plus the overlap. Completely up to you.
Wash the cover as directed. Cold wash, no softener, no heat to dry. It comes out soft and ready to go right back on the form.
And here is your permission beat, because we all need one: it does not have to be perfect. A slightly soft corner still makes a beautiful pillow. You are your own worst critic. Take your time. It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
This is a super duper easy afternoon make, and your couch is going to thank you.
Thanks for sewing along with me today, folks. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 3 Yard Cuddle 110" Cut - Ivory at Linda's Electric Quilters.
