Things You'll Need:
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Paper and pencil
- Straight pins
- Fabric
- Thread
- Sewing machine
- Piece of cardboard or paper bag to make template
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Step 1
First measure the pillow you wish to recover. Write these measurements down.
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Step 2
Add 1 inch to each dimension to allow for a seam around all edges. For example, if the pillow to be recovered measures 12 x 12 inches, the front fabric piece would need to be 13 x 13 inches.
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Step 3
Meaure and cut out the template piece that will be used to make the front of the pillow sham.
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Step 4
Next, you need to measure and cut two template pieces for the rear pocket closure. Referring back to our 12 x 12-inch pillow example, the two back pieces should measure 13 x 9 inches. You want to make sure that these pieces are the same width as the front piece (13 inches) and at least 2 inches more than half of the length so they will overlap at the back.
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Step 5
Lay templates onto fabric and cut three fabric pieces.
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Step 6
For rear pocket pieces, turn up 1/2 inch and pin over with right side facing out. Hem both pocket pieces along one of the 13-inch edges.
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Step 7
Next lay down the large 13-x-13-inch piece with the right side of the fabric facing up.
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Step 8
Lay down the first pocket piece, right side of fabric facing down. Be sure the edge that was hemmed is toward the center of the pillow. Add the second pocket piece on top, using the same directions (with hemmed side toward center and right side of fabric facing down). Make sure all pieces are lined up along each edge and pin all pieces together leaving about 1 inch.
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Step 9
Under the foot of the sewing machine is a hem or seam allowance guide. Line up the edge of your fabric with the 1/2-inch mark for desired seam allowance. Lower the needle into the starting side of the sham and sew along this edge following the hem guide until you are about 1/2 inch away from the next side.
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Step 10
With the needle in the lowered position, lift the foot and turn your sham counterclockwise. Line up the edge again with the hem guide.
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Step 11
Repeat Steps 9 and 10 until all four edges have been sewn.
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Step 12
Trim long threads and turn right side out. You can use a pen or pencil to poke the corners to make them more square.
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Step 13
Open the pocket on the back and insert one end of the pillow into the sham. Then squish in the other end and fluff pillow to fill out entire sham.
