How to Cover a Throw Pillow

You can redecorate a throw pillow, or turn a plain pillow form from the fabric store into a throw pillow by adding a simple cover. This technique works best for square or rectangular pillows, but you can use it for round pillows as well. Just about any type of fabric will work for a throw pillow cover, from plain cotton to home decor fabrics. You can even change the cover to match different seasons or looks for the room. Unless the fabric is dry clean only, be sure to wash, dry and iron the fabric before sewing the throw pillow cover.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Throw pillow
• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine

1. Measure the throw pillow from the middle of one side to the middle of the opposite side, and from the middle of the top to the middle of the bottom.

2. Cut a piece of fabric one inch larger than the throw pillow. For example, if the throw pillow is 16 inches square, cut a 17 inch square of fabric.

3. Divide the height of the pillow fabric in half, and add 1 1/2 inches. For example, if the pillow fabric is 17 inches square, you would divide by two to get 8 1/2 inches, then add 1/12 inches to make 10 inches.

4. Cut two pieces of fabric, each as tall as the result of Step 3 and as wide as the first piece of pillow fabric. For example, for a 16 inch square pillow, you would need to rectangles of fabric, each 17 inches wide and 10 inches tall.

5. Fold one long edge of each piece of fabric over 3/4 inch toward the wrong side, then fold it over another 3/4. Press the fold flat, then sew across the fold using matching thread.

6. Lay the piece of whole fabric right side up on your work surface. Place the smaller pieces of fabric right side down on top of it, so that the folded edges overlap by about one inch.

7. Line up the edges of the fabric. Pin the fabric together. Sew around the edges of the fabric using 1/4-inch seam allowance.

8. Turn the fabric right side out, and insert the throw pillow through the opening in the back of the cover.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a cover for a round throw pillow, measure the widest part of the pillow. Cut a circle of fabric that’s one inch larger than the pillow. To make the back of the pillow, trace the fabric on a piece of paper. Cut the paper circle in half, then add a 1 1/2 inch strip of paper to the cut edge of the half circle. Use this paper as a pattern to cut two pieces of fabric for the back of the throw pillow.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins and sewing machines.