Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew bright envelope pillow covers that freshen a whole couch in one afternoon.
Here we go. Two covers. Straight seams. No zipper at all. Just like that, your living room looks new.
The fabric is Best Bits - Triangles - Orange, from Blank Quilting. It is part of the Best Bits collection.
This print is called Triangles. It features playful triangles in orange. The description calls Best Bits a cheerful collection, and I agree.
It is 100% cotton quilting fabric. It is 44 inches wide. And it is sold by the yard, as a continuous cut.
That orange matters here, folks. It is warm. It is happy. And it brings energy without taking over the room.
The listing says this fabric suits blenders, accents, and everyday piecing. A pillow cover is a perfect accent. Big enough to show the triangles. Small enough to finish today.
Why this fabric suits pillow covers
A pillow cover needs fabric that presses well. This cotton does. It cuts clean. It holds a crease. And it sews smooth under the presser foot.
The triangle pattern helps you, too. It is playful in every direction. You do not have to match a big motif. Turn a piece sideways. It still looks right. Completely up to you.
Orange also plays well with others. Pair it with a solid. Pair it with denim. Pair it with a neutral quilt on the couch. It holds its own. Super duper fun, and really really cheerful.
Materials list
You will need:
- 1 1/4 yards of Best Bits - Triangles - Orange for two covers
- Two 18-inch pillow forms
- Matching thread, 50-weight cotton is a good choice
- A size 80/12 universal needle
- Pins or clips, a ruler, and a marking pencil
Your finished covers will fit 18-inch forms. Nice and snug. Not loose and sloppy.
Want just one cover? Start with 3/4 yard. You will have a little left for a small accent later.
Brief steps
First, press your fabric well. Press out the center fold. A flat start gives you a flat cover.
Second, cut the fronts. For each cover, cut one square at 19 by 19 inches. That allows a 1/2-inch seam all around.
Third, cut the backs. For each cover, cut two pieces at 19 by 13 inches. Those two pieces will overlap. That overlap is your envelope opening.
Fourth, hem the back pieces. On one long edge of each back piece, fold under 1/4 inch. Press. Fold under 1/4 inch again. Press. Then topstitch close to the fold, at about 10 stitches per inch.
Fifth, lay it all out. Place the front right side up. Lay the two back pieces right side down on top. Their hemmed edges should overlap about 4 inches in the middle. Pin all around.
Sixth, sew around all four sides. Use a 1/2-inch seam. Go slow at the corners. Pivot with the needle down. I have rushed corners before. They get pointy and stubborn. Slowing down fixes that.
Seventh, trim and turn. Clip the corners at an angle. Do not clip your stitches. Turn the cover right side out through the overlap. Push the corners out gently with a chopstick. Press flat.
Eighth, add the form. Slide your 18-inch pillow form inside. Fluff it. Smooth it. Stand back and smile. You just made that, y'all.
Practical tips
Try two options for the back. Use the same orange print all over. Or use a solid for the back pieces. Both work. My preference is all orange. The triangles deserve the spotlight. But it is completely up to you.
If your triangles point different ways, let them. That is the charm of this print. It is not a test. Nobody will line them up and judge you.
Here is your permission beat. It does not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic. A hem that wanders a hair will never show on a couch. Take your time, it's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Want an easy change later? Make a second set in another color. Swap them with the seasons. The forms stay the same. The room feels fresh. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Thanks so much for spending a little time with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Best Bits - Triangles - Orange 44" / 45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
