Things You'll Need:
- sewing machine with overlocking stitch
- enough fabric to cover your bolster pillow
- approx 2 yards or 2 metres of matching ribbon 0.5 inch 1cm width and matching cotton
- pinking shears and safety pin
-
Step 1
Wrap your fabric around the bolster pillow using this as a guide as to how much fabric you will need. Allow approx 2 inches or 5 cm extra on the width of the bolster for seam allowance. Allow 12 inches or 30 cm on the length of the fabric for seam allowance to insert the ribbon and gather over each end of the bolster.
-
Step 2
Once you have cut the fabric with the wrong side of the fabric facing you bring the edges together along the length of the pillow pin and use tack stitches allowing 1 inch or 2.5 cm seam allowance. Insert the bolster pillow to check the size. It should be a comfy fit without gaping anywhere. Assuming this is fine you can remove the bolster pillow and sew up the seam, trim the edges and use an overlock stitch to stop any potential fraying of the fabric and iron the seam flat.
-
Step 3
Next turn the pillow case round so the right side of the fabric is facing you. On both ends of the pillow case fold the fabric twice to cover the rough cutting edge and create a seam which should be 1 inch 2 cm in all for each seam. Iron each fold for an accurate and neat edge and then pin and sew each seam.
-
Step 4
Finally, fold each end of the pillow case a further 1.5 inches or 4 cm inwards, iron the fold, pin and sew another seam 1 inch or 2 cm from the edge. You will now need to unpick the few stiches on the seam which runs the length of the bolster from the edge to the 1 inch seam you have just sewn in order to insert the ribbon. Attach a small safety pin to the edge to feed the ribbon through the seam allowing at least 11 inches or 27 cm at each end to tie into a bow. Insert the bolster cushion and tie up each end.
