As I said last week (was it last week? two weeks ago? the days are really flying lately), we’ve run into a slight problem with peanut butter on the silk throw pillows & other disasters of that nature. & as Harrison grows older & we’ve spent more time up in the loft with his toys, I’ve come to realize that the mature “golf” theme of the former man-room needs to be changed. I’m really not into spending a ton of money to re-do this room, so I’m trying to change it with a few sewing projects & new wall art. The room is not quite ready to be revealed, but I did the majority of the sewing this past weekend, including pillow covers for the loft.
I made very simple envelope-style pillow covers with a few yards of fabric & a basic Singer sewing machine. I’m sure there are tons of tutorials out there with better lines, embellishments, trim, zippers…but we all know I don’t have the patience for that. I like to just wing it. I also don’t like to actually measure things, which is bad because I actually really suck at spatial relations. (p.s. if I can figure out a sewing machine, anybody can figure out a sewing machine. I am a total box of rocks when it comes to creative talent, so you know that you’ve got this one in the bag.)
First, pick out fabric. I wanted something bright that could be fun but still relevant to adults. It also needed to be sturdy & machine-washable.
Remember, I don’t like to measure. So I plop the old heavy adult-fabric pillow on top & give it a few inches on the sides. Ask your husband where the scissors are. Cut the material.
Then cut another big square exactly like the first. Then cut that square in half – this will create your “envelope” on the back of the pillow.
On your smaller envelope pieces, fold down one long side on each envelope about an inch & pin it. You want the pretty side of the fabric to be on top of the fold. Sew a straight stitch along this to sew the fold down. Remove the pins.
oh, be sure to test out the fabric for cuddle-ability. This is key. A toddler is an excellent judge of this, & I have a blonde one for hire. $1,000,000.00 per hour but he does quality work.
Lay down the big square pretty-side up. Then lay the two envelope pieces on it, pretty side down. The envelope pieces should overlap a little bit. Pin around the square. Occasionally yelp out in pain when you stab yourself, then tell the amused toddler to never say such a dirty word.
Sew around all four edges. You’re doing sew great! (ha, cheesy pun time) Be sure to remove all the pins so that nobody gets stabbed when they settle down into the couch.
Flip the cover right-side so that the pretty stuff is on the outside. & be sure to get your fingers into the corners & push out the fabric. (oh, look! someone fixed her camera settings!)
Stuff your pillow into the cover. This is where measuring could honestly come in handy – I had one cover that was WAY too big, so I simply flipped the cover back to being inside-out & re-sewed the edges closer in to make it smaller.
Yep, you’re done! Easy, right? These pillows took 1.5 yards for two, so roughly $12.00 for two “new” pillows that can be washed. Not shabby!
p.s. the pups are a bigger floor pillow, but same technique.
This is a great idea that I would have never thought of! Love the fabric!!!
If you’re using the same fabric for the back and the front anyway it’s faster and easier to just cut a rectangle about twice the length of your pillow plus 4 inches or so. You hem the two short ends, fold them over each other to form the square like this http://0.tqn.com/d/sewing/1/0/b/w/1/pillowpinsides.jpg
and then sew up the sides.
Here’s the link to the whole tutorial
http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/envelopepillow.htm
This is so quick and easy I’m a little addicted; I’ve made 17 or so since October and I still haven’t made the ones for outside!
I have to ask where you found that pretty flower fabric. I really like the bright colors. PS – they look good! I cant get past threading a sewing machine myself
Thanks! I got it at Mill Outlet…the fabric is called “Wonderama” but I can’t remember who makes it! I’m trying to Google that shiz to no avail
This is on my to-do list BIG TIME. When I make them, however, I make one of the back ‘envelope’ pieces a little longer so they overlap- I think can hold the pillow a little tighter.
I want to see a pic of the dog fabric one when you’re done! Too cute!
Looking good! Can’t wait to see the whe room.
cute cute! i like your fabric tester…. he looks like a pro!
I love that fabric! you have inspired me to give this a shot. I just need to find a sewing machine.
Awesome! Love the fabric!
First of all, great to know that my dog is not the only one the insists on standing on anything that is laid on the floor, but second, what a great idea! I was thinking I was going to have to buy some new pillows to keep our current ones safe from little hands, but this is a much (cheaper) way to go-thanks!
And don’t you just love those jungle jammies with the monkey feet?!? We have them at our house too for my 18 month old and they’re my fave.
Very nice! That was the most entertaining tutorial I’ve ever seen! Love it!!
these are so cute! I can’t wait to try it. … though I fear that it will be placed in the long line of crafty things I wish I had time for but really don’t. *sigh*
Awesome idea! When we actually move I will for sure be using this tutorial.
Ok, one question – does Harrison really leave you alone long enough to let you accomplish a project such as this in one weekend? My little munchkin makes a weekend project turn into a 6 month one…
Very cute and crafty – nice work!
At the risk of sounding braggy, he’s a really good toddler. Which kind of makes up for the hell as an infant
You can probably see how I’m sitting in a litter of toys on the floor – he was “vroom-vrooming” that school bus all over the fabric while I pinned it & then lying on it, etc. I think I had a school bus on my head at one point while I cut fabric. But the good news is that he LOVES watching me sew. He gets the biggest kick out of the sewing machine, so he stands & looks at it & giggles the entire time it’s running.
Also, nap times are crucial
Hooray! I have a sewing machine but am so intimidated by it. You make sewing seem do-able. Love this.
well done mama. and the way you describe your craft-abilities (or, erm, lack thereof) makes me think that EVEN I could possibly do a project like this.
mind you, i don’t have a sewing machine… but, you know, if I DID get that brave it would partially be because you make it feel like something i could handle.
I almost bought a Hello Kitty Singer sewing machine today because of this post. You’re like Oprah.
OK — I’m impressed! I’ll admit that my last “new” pillows I bought at a yardsale. YUCK — I know!! And I paid more for used pillows then what you made yours for! I have 2 sewing machines and have never used one of them–maybe some day I’ll get brave!!
Good work!!
http://www.myrealbirthstory.com
Great idea for washable covers that brighten up the room! Have you checked out http://www.WeAllSew.com to find all the great tutorials and free patterns over there? I think you’d like browsing through all the sewing stuff!