Hey everyone. Today we're sewing a soft envelope pillow cover, and you're going to learn how plush Cuddle makes a plain pillow form feel brand new.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Aquamarine Solid Cuddle 3 58/60" Fabric per yard from Shannon Fabrics. It's a Cuddle Fabric. Shannon calls Solid Cuddle® 3 the fabric that started it all.
Here are the real numbers. It's 100% polyester. It features a versatile 3mm pile. It's 58/60" wide. That wide cut is a real gift for home decor, folks.
The surface is smooth and ultra-soft. Shannon says it's beautiful and super durable, too. For a pillow cover, that's the whole wish list. Soft where your head lands. Sturdy where hands grab and tug.
The color here is Aquamarine. It's a clear, watery blue-green solid. It brightens a sofa without shouting.
That short 3mm pile matters here, too. It gives plush comfort without a long, shaggy nap. Seams stay tidy. Shannon lists this fabric for home decor, among many other uses. Here we go.
The project: a simple envelope pillow cover
An envelope cover is exactly what it sounds like. One front panel. Two back panels that overlap. The pillow form slips in through that overlap. No zipper. No buttons. No wrestling match.
We're finishing at 18" by 18". That's the classic throw pillow size. It fits a standard 18" pillow form nice and snug. Plump, not sloppy.
Why does this fabric suit it? You lean on a pillow cover. You hug it. Kids drag it to the floor for movie night. That durable, ultra-soft surface handles all that love. And that 58/60" width means your panels cut side by side, with very little waste.
Materials list
- 1 yard Aquamarine Solid Cuddle 3 — for one 18" cover, with trimmings left over
- One 18" by 18" pillow form
- Matching polyester thread
- 90/14 stretch or ballpoint needle
- Walking foot, pins or clips, and a long ruler
- Point turner or a blunt tool for the corners
Brief steps
First, let your fabric relax flat. Cut one front panel at 19" by 19". Cut two back panels at 19" by 13" each. Cut from the back side when you can. Your lines stay visible, and the pile stays calm.
Second, hem one long edge of each back panel. Fold that edge under 1/2". Fold it again 1/2". Stitch it down close to the fold. These two hems become your envelope opening.
Third, lay the front panel right side up. Place the back panels right side down on top. The hemmed edges should overlap in the middle by about 4 inches. That overlap is what holds your form in. Pin all the way around, every 3 to 4 inches. Cuddle can shift as you sew, so don't skimp on pins here.
Fourth, sew around all four sides with a 1/2" seam. Use that walking foot. Lengthen your stitch to about 3.0 to 3.5mm. Backstitch at the start and finish. Slow down at the corners, and pivot with the needle down. Slow down here, or a shifting layer can pull your seam off line.
Fifth, clip the corners at an angle. Don't clip into your stitching. Turn the cover right side out through the envelope opening. Push the corners out gently. Don't force them.
Sixth, slip your pillow form in. Work one corner in at a time. Fluff it. Smooth the front with your hand, following the pile direction. You're done. Super duper easy.
Practical tips from my table
Shake your cut Cuddle pieces outside. That fluff gets everywhere. A quick shake now saves a cleanup later.
Want a different size? For a 16" form, cut the front at 17" by 17" and the backs at 17" by 11 1/2". For a 20" form, cut the front at 21" by 21" and the backs at 21" by 14 1/2". Same 1/2" seams. Same 4" overlap. Completely up to you.
Your cover does not have to be perfect. If the overlap sits a little crooked, it sits a little crooked. You're your own worst critic. Take your time. It's not a race.
I'll admit my own mistake here. I once sewed my first cover with the back panels barely overlapping. The form kept peeking out all week. The fix was simple. I cut fresh back panels with a full 4" overlap and sewed it again. Ten minutes. No drama.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. This is a really really fun first home decor make, and a sweet, quick gift, too.
Alrighty, folks. Thanks for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Aquamarine Solid Cuddle 3 58/60" Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
