How To Sew a Simple Envelope Back Pillow Cover

By Debbie Colgrove, About.com Guide

Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com

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These directions are designed to save you the expense of new pillows. Use them as "slip covers" for your throw pillows.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 15 minutes to One Hour

Materials needed:
- Fabric needed for standard sizes
  - 12" Pillow - Fabric 12" by 28"
  - 14" Pillow - Fabric 14" by 32"
  - 16" Pillow - Fabric 16" by 36"
  - 18" Pillow - Fabric 18" by 40"
- Thread
Note: The cutting directions do not add a seam allowance so that the finished pillow cover is a little smaller than the form and creates a "plump" pillow instead of any empty space.
Marking:
- For a 12" pillow mark your fabric 8" in on the longest edges.
- For a 14" pillow mark your fabric 9" in on the longest edges.
- For a 16" pillow mark your fabric 10" in on your longest edge
- For an 18 " pillow mark your fabric 11" in on your longest edge
Fold each end under 1/4" and then turn under 1/4" again, to form a neat baby hem.
Neatly top stitch the hem into place.
Fold your fabric, right sides together at the markings you made on the long edge. There should be a 3 1/2" overlap for the back side of your pillow.
Sew the sides with the raw edges, using 1/2" seams and finish the seam on the raw edges.
Press and turn right side out.

Make these covers in holiday themed fabric to have a collection for all the holidays. This is an inexpensive way to change your throw pillows for every holiday.