How to Make a New Pillow Cover

Make a new cover for a pillow and really transform the look of a room, couch or bedspread. With just a basic knowledge of sewing machine use, follow these steps to recover an old pillow for a cute new home accessory.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric
• Thread
• Plastic ruler or yardstick
• Sewing machine
• Hand needle
• Old pillow

1. Measure the length and width of the pillow from seam to seam with a tape measure. Do not pull too tightly around the pillow or measure over folds, but measure all of the fabric from seam to seam.

2. Remove the old cover. It is best to use small clips or a seam ripper to tear out the threads in the seams.

3. Measure out the size of the pillow and draw the exact pillow shape on the wrong side of the fabric. Add 5/8 an inch on all four sides, and cut out.

4. Repeat the previous step, drawing the pillow, adding seam allowance and cutting out. If the fabric has stripes or a pattern that needs to be matched up, carefully do that while placing it the second time.
   
   

5. Line up the edges of the fabric, placing the right or fashion side of the fabric together. Run through the sewing machine with a straight stitch, leaving 5/8 an inch seam allowance on each side. Stitch three sides completely, and about 1/2 of the fourth side.

6. Turn the cover right-side out. Push the pillow through the hole left in the seam. Manipulate pillow until it lies as flat in the cover.

7. Thread the hand needle, and sew the final part of the fourth seam. The seam will need to be pushed in and hand sewn. Pinch areas and work at about one inch at a time.

Tips & Warnings

• If the fabric is very thick, the seams may need to be clipped to about 1/4 an inch after being sewn together.