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Two Easy Ways To Make Pillow Covers - Transform Those Old Pillows!

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

Today I'm going to share a couple of ways to give new life to your decorative pillows.

 Whether your pillows are worn, stained, or you are just plain sick of them....it's easy to transform them into brand new pillows.

It's so fast and easy, and inexpensive, that you can change out your pillows for the seasons....for each holiday even!

 

The first transformation requires a sewing machine, but it's very easy.  If you can sew a straight line, you can make these covers. (actually, a straight line isn't even required)

First step is to determine what size to cut your fabric.

Measure your pillow.  Mine is 20 x 20.

Add 1" to the width.

Double the length and add 6".

 So, for my 20 x 20 pillow, I cut the fabric 21" x 46".

 

Next, sew to hem the two short ends of the fabric.

Simply fold fabric 1/4" and press with an iron. Fold 1/4" again and press.  Sew.

 

Lay fabric right side up and place your pillow on top.

Bring bottom end of fabric up over pillow.

Bring top end of fabric over pillow to cover and overlap the bottom end.

 

Pin the fabric in place where it overlaps and carefully remove the pillow.

Pin both sides and sew closed, 1/2" from the edge.

Turn right side out.  Insert pillow.

 

 

This next pillow cover is REALLY EASY!

 

All you need is a piece of material that is square and larger than your pillow.

For my example, I used a scarf, folded in half.

It's not even a perfect square, but it worked great.

 

Lay pillow on fabric with fabric in diamond position.

Bring top and bottom together and tie in a knot. Tuck tie pieces under knot.

Bring sides together and tie in a knot.  Done!

 

Just think about the possibilities for the holidays!!!!

 

TIP:  It's a good idea to wash and iron fabric BEFORE making pillow covers.

Comments (51)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Anyone need help sewing buttons or socks.....

contact Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington 

Nov 17, 2015 09:51 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sharon Parisi  YES, the possibilities are endless!  Not my idea though, I found it online.

Nov 17, 2015 09:52 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Nice tutorial Sharon. Throw pillows can liven up a room and I have always made my own. I bet I have made more than a 100 over the years in any shape I wanted. I have 10 in my bedroom right now and 6 in the living room for the winter season (I have spring and summer ones too) and every bed has some.  I make them for my girls too.

Nov 18, 2015 08:28 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Sharon, the great news is that you kept the ball rolling and shared the ideas!

Nov 18, 2015 11:57 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Sharon

Your tips are a great to re-purpose pillows.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Nov 18, 2015 12:05 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Debbie Reynolds  That's a lot of pillows!  You must be able to make them with one hand tied behind your back at this point!  LOL

Sharon Parisi  Yes, sharing is something I do well!

Lou Ludwig  I just may make some holiday covers for the upcoming season!

Nov 19, 2015 04:19 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sharon. You are so gifted. I have no sewing machine but am taken with your creativity.

Nov 22, 2015 10:52 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sheila Anderson   Thank you!

Nov 23, 2015 03:33 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Those are both very good and easy tips.  I need to do that with mine. I am tired of them!

Nov 28, 2015 10:20 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Evelyn Johnston  It's quite easy. Go ahead and treat yourself!  Share some pics when you do!

Nov 29, 2015 09:54 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

What great ideas - I particularly love the scarf idea - such an easy way to change the feel of a room

Dec 06, 2015 08:06 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Lise Howe  Thank you for commenting!  I'm hoping to get some holiday fabric today to change them for the holidays.

Dec 06, 2015 10:20 PM
Tina Parker
EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS
Managing Associate Broker

Great ideas. I'm going to try your second one when I get home. Thanks!

Dec 06, 2015 11:35 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Tina Parker  Wonderful!  I hope you like the results!

Dec 07, 2015 12:00 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I can sew, but hate to pull the sewing machine out! Tying the fabric looks so much simpler.

Jun 24, 2017 07:24 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Pat Starnes  I'm very good at pulling something together with a sewing machine but I am not good at finish sewing, like making clothing.

Jun 25, 2017 06:47 AM
Sharon Kowitz
CRS-SRES-ABR-GRI-E-Pro-CREN ~ COMPASS RE - Cary, NC
Cary, NC Relocation Specialist ~ Buying or Selling

So simple on the tie a knot pillow, got to try it! 

Jul 05, 2017 05:00 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Sharon Kowitz  I know! I felt the same way when I saw the idea. It really does work!

Jul 05, 2017 07:39 AM
Mary Butar

Looks really interesting. For old pillows it can be a rescue. But if you want to apply some modern decoration, better will be to search new pillows with some custom print. I think it will be the best variant!

Jul 17, 2021 05:05 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Mary Butar   Thank you for your comment. Pillow rescue was my plan here. A creative option for those that either don't want to shop, or can't afford new pillows. I was also considering people with children and/or pets who want a new look but know that the pillows will most likely not have a long life span in their home. LOL

Jul 17, 2021 07:02 AM