Throw Pillow Cover Instructions Materials Required: (Fabric listed is for pillows up to 18! x 18!. Can be made to fit any dimensions) 1 yard of medium to heavy weight cotton 1 button (optional) 4 of! elastic (optional) 2.5 yards of piping (optional) 1 spool of matching thread Step 1: Determine the Dimensions of Your Pillow On the pillow form/insert you will be using, measure from one seam to the other to get the length and height for the pillow cover. American pillows typically come in standard one-inch increments, so rounding to the nearest inch is fine. Step 2: Measure and Cut a Paper Pattern If you want your pillow cover to be snug, cut a square or rectangle from paper that is the length and height for you pillow, plus one inch (For example, if your pillow form is 18 x18, you will cut the pattern 19 x 19, which includes the seam allowances). Bits of Thread Sewing Studio Throw Pillow Cover Pattern Page 1
Step 3: Cut the Front Piece Pin your paper pattern to your fabric and cut out one piece. This will be the front of the pillow, so if your fabric has a print or stripes and you want a certain part of the fabric to show, this is your opportunity to choose that part. Step 4: Create the Pattern for the Two Back Pieces Take your paper pattern and fold it in half, making a crease. Unfold the paper again. From the crease line measure another 4 to the right, and mark a new line. Fold the right side of the paper over on this new line. This will give you the pattern shape for the two back pieces, which should overlap each other. For example, if your original pattern was 19x19 this new shape will be 19 x 12.5 Step 5: Cut the Two Back Pieces Fold your fabric over to double it so that you can cut the two back pieces using the pattern you just made. If you fabric is striped or plaid, now is the time to make sure all your stripes/lines match up, both on the two back pieces and on the front. Bits of Thread Sewing Studio Throw Pillow Cover Pattern Page 2
Step 6: Fold the Lapping Edges of the Back Pieces On each back piece, fold lapping edge over one inch, and iron flat. Fold over again one inch, and iron again, so that the raw edges are completely concealed. Step 7: Sew the Lapping Edges Stitch very close to the inner edge of the folded part, as shown. Step 8: Add Loop for Button (OPTIONAL) If you would like to have a loop for a button closure, cut a 4 piece of elastic and sew onto the wrong side of one back piece, in the middle as shown. (Note: 1/4 elastic works well for this, or you can use a piece of ribbon or cord). Bits of Thread Sewing Studio Throw Pillow Cover Pattern Page 3
" Step 9: Piping (OPTIONAL) If you would like to have piping on the pillow, you will attach this now to the right side of the front piece. See the following pictures for details on how to handle the corners and end. Step 9A: Pin the piping all the way around the front, with the piping cord " from the edge of the fabric. Pins can be placed in long-ways. At the corners, make small clips to make it easier to bend the piping around. Step 9B: The ends of the piping should meet in the middle of a side (not on a corner), and should overlap each other 1 inch. To join the ends, pluck out the stitches about 1 inch from each end. Step 9C: On one end of the piping, peel back the cord covering and cut about 1 off the inner cording. Step 9D: Tuck the other end of cord inside the one you have just clipped, and fold over the raw edge to seal it up. Bits of Thread Sewing Studio Throw Pillow Cover Pattern Page 4
One end of the cord should be completely concealed inside the other. Step 9E: Sew the Piping Down Sew the piping to the front piece, getting the needle as close to the piping cord as you can. Step 10: Attach Front and Back Place the front piece right side up, and then put the two back pieces over it, right sides facing. The back piece with the button loop should be under the back piece with no loop, as shown. Bits of Thread Sewing Studio Throw Pillow Cover Pattern Page 5
Step 11: Sew Front and Back Together Using a " inch seam allowance, stitch all the way around the edges, taking care to get the stitches as close to the piping as possible (if applicable). You can tell how close you are to the piping by gently pushing down the fabric on either side with your fingers (see picture). Step 12: Turn Pillow Right Side Out Turn the pillow right side out and poke the corners out gently with the end of scissors or a chopstick or other turning tool. Stuff the pillow form in and marvel! Step 13: Sew on Button With the pillow form inserted, determine the placement of your button and mark with chalk. Take the pillow form out and hand-sew button in place. Bits of Thread Sewing Studio Throw Pillow Cover Pattern Page 6