Easy 4 Step Cushion Covers

This week we had relatives visiting, so I didn't do any sewing or crafting. My week was full of visiting, watching movies, going for bike rides with the kids, and eating horribly. It was wonderful!

The night before my two sister in laws arrived though I did a quick little project in the middle of the night. That seems to be when I get most of my sewing done. So again, my lighting will be horrible! :) This is such a quick little project, 4 cushion covers took me about an hour and that included the measuring and cutting. The best thing is that, even though super quick, the covers are removable (an absolute must in my house). We try to keep food and crafts in the kitchen but they have a habit of migrating and ending up all over my furniture!

So here we have a quick little cushion cover with an envelope style back so you can pop your pillow forms out and wash the covers whenever that happens!

What you will need:
-Sewing machine and all that stuff
-Pillow forms
-Fabric
I'm using a 1/4 inch seam allowance

For each pillow you will cut three pieces of fabric. One piece will be our pillow front and then two pieces will make up your back. Ignore the "hem" on my two back pieces, I ironed before taking the photo.

Here is how you determine your sizes.
How big is your pillow form?

For your pillow front:
Take the size of your pillow form and add seam allowance on all sides. This was a little square 16 inch pillow form.
So, for my front piece, I cut a piece of fabric 16.5 inches by 16.5 inches.
You may be inclined to think you need to add an inch or two for ease of your pillow form, but that isn't necessary. You want your form to squeeze into the pillow cover to make a plump pillow. If you add ease you may end up with a cushion cover that looks too big and sags.

For your pillow back:
You will want to cut two pieces so you can create the opening where you can get your pillow form in and out of.
So, you will want to cut two pieces the same width of your front piece, but then for the height you want to divide your pillow form by half and then add seam allowance plus an inch for the hem, as well as a couple of inches for overlap.
In my case my pillow form is 16 inches. So I will cut two pieces 16.5 inches by 11.5 inches (16 divided by 2 and then 1.5 inches for seam allowances + 2 inches for my envelope to overlap). If using a larger pillow form add at least 3 inches for the overlap.

1. Start by taking your back pieces and pressing them in 1/4 inch and then another 1 inch enclosing the raw edge on one long side.

 2. Sewing close to the edge, hem your long edge on both pieces.

3. Lay your pillow front face up and then place one pillow back piece on top right sides together matching edges on one long edge. Pin and sew along all three sides, not including your hemmed side as shown.

4. Now on the other end of your pillow front do the same thing with your other pillow back piece. Clip your corners and turn right side out (be careful not to snip through your stitching- that would be bad).

Put your pillow form through your opening and fluff out your corners. Here is what your pillow will look like from the back. Easy, right?

A really quick way to brighten up an old boring couch in a hurry! :) I promise you this couch has legs- I was in a super hurry even taking this photo!

and because I know I'm going to get emails asking :) This fabric is from Joel Dewberry's Ginseng Collection in Home Dec weight. 

I hope you enjoyed this easy little tutorial! You'll find this little button under the tutorials tab momentarily!

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