DIY Envelope Pillow Tutorial – Step By Step Photos

From our front porch we have the perfect vantage point to watch for the school bus, so I often wait there for my daughter to get home. To give me a place to sit while I wait, my in-laws bought us a set of rocking chairs for Christmas. It’s the perfect addition to our front porch and a peaceful place to rock with the baby while we wait. I’ll show you how I added a pop of color with this DIY envelope pillow tutorial.

Porch Rocking Chairs

This DIY envelope pillow tutorial is sponsored by Waverly inspirations. 

This month’s Waverly Inspirations challenge included fabric in pretty spring colors, and as soon as I saw the floral-patterned fabric I knew it would make perfect pillows for my rocking chairs. 

Waverly Inspirations Spring

With a splash of color my rocking chairs are not only practical, but a lovely welcome for my guests when they arrive. Don’t you want to pull up a chair and join me for a glass of lemonade?

Front Porch Rocking Chairs

In addition to the envelope pillow covers, I also made fabric coasters. But this post got crazy long trying to include two tutorials, so I decided to break up the posts and I will share the fabric coasters tutorial later this week. 

The Christmas cactus on the table was a gift from my daughter’s teacher. Thus far, I have kept the hardy little plant alive. So I livened up its plain green pot by tying a length of fabric around the pot. No sewing, I just cut a strip of fabric, ironed the edges under and tied it around the pot. 

DIY Envelope Pillow Tutorial

Envelope pillow covers are the easiest way to make a pillow – I promise. With just four straight lines and no hand sewing, you can quickly make a pillowcase and change the look of your décor in about 15 minutes. It is a perfect sewing project for beginners. 

Materials

  • Waverly Inspirations fabric
  • Pillow insert
  • Sewing Machine
  • Thread
  • Scissors / Rotary Cutter
  • Iron
  • Scotchgard (optional)

You can find Waverly Inspirations products and all of the materials needed for this project at Walmart. Look for Waverly Inspirations for all of your crafting needs.

DIY Envelope Pillow Case

Directions

The pillows I used were 16×16, so all measurements are based on these pillows, but you can easily adjust the dimensions for any size pillow. 

Cut your fabric 16 inches wide by 40 inches long. By cutting the fabric to the same size as your pillow insert, you ensure a nice tight fit instead a saggy, baggy fit.

If using a different size pillow, calculate the length of your fabric by doubling the side of the pillow and adding 8 inches. (16+16+8=40)

Fold the short sides of your fabric under about an inch (a bit less is better than a bit more). Press the fold with a hot iron, fold under another inch and press again. 

Double Rolled Hem

After pressing the ends, sew the double hem with a top sticth.

Fold the fabric over, right sides facing each other, so you have approximately a 5 inch overlap. Pin and sew down both sides.

Easy Envelope Pillow Cover

Turn the pillow cover right side out and stuff with the pillow insert.

DIY Envelope Pillow Cover Tutorial

TIP – If you are making a pillow for outside, I recommend spraying the cover with Scotchgard to protect the fabric. 

The final product is a quick and easy envelope pillow cover. 

DIY Envelope Pillow Cover Tutorial

Other Waverly Inspirations Projects

For more Waverly Inspiration fabric craft ideas, check out my prior projects: 

 

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