I have some old pillows that I use outside on my patio and they were getting pretty hammered, so I decided that I would just make some new slipcovers to put over them. They were sooo easy to make and yet made such a difference that I wondered why I had waited so long to do them.
These are the before pictures. The pillows are faded and have lines in them where the power washer may have hit them a few too many times. :) I just threw them in the washer and dryer before I started to make sure that they were clean.
These are 16″ pillows, so I cut my fabric 17″ x 17″ for the top and two 17″ x 10 1/4″ for the backs. I found this bright print in the upholstery fabrics and it is a heavy linen print.
Then you will want to make a 1/4″ hem on both of the back pieces along one of the 17″ sides. Just turn edge under twice and stitch like this:
After you have hemmed one side on each piece, you will pin the front to the back pieces, right sides together, all the way around.
You are overlapping the back pieces about 1 inch like this: (don’t let that pin throw you off, I just had to put it in to hold the corner back to take the picture, you will not pin it like this)
Then you will sew all the way around the entire outside using a 1/2″ seam. Clip your corners and then zigzag or serge the edges so they do not fray. You will then simply turn the pillow inside out and pull the corners out nice and square and insert your pillow form into the slipcover! That is all there is to it! It seriously took less time to sew two of these slipcovers and take pictures than it did for me to write this post!
What do you think?
This is a picture of the back seams, they overlap nicely and fit the pillow perfectly. No gapping!
I threw them out on my hammock with this fun lime green pillow that I bought on our girls retreat at World Market.
. Now don’t they look inviting! The only problem is, I have not yet taken the time to relax with a book or just take a little snooze, but I am going to…soon, I hope!
Cute pillows! I love the fabrics you chose!
Beautiful!!!! I love making new pillow covers, I just love how doing that instantly changes the look of a room or outdoor space!
I agree, and to have them be so easy to make is even better!
These are adorable!! Needing these for my boring couch :) Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment, I love hearing from my readers.
Very Nice Rita! I just got a new sewing machine that I will be posting about tomorrow. Have you seen the Singer that looks looks old but is new? Anywhoooo…I’m pretty excited about it and am thinking about starting a ‘learn to sew’ series on my blog soon. I did an envelope pillow a couple of weeks ago that I thought would be a good start since they’re so easy.
I love your fabric choices and found you on Sugar Bee’s link party. Happy to be a new follower!
Thank you for the kind comment and congrats on a new sewing machine! Sounds so fun! Thanks for your support in being a new follower, that always makes me happy!
These look fabulous! Love the upholstery fabric. Now I need to make friends with my sewing machine!
This is a great project to do to, because it is fast and EASY!
So cute!!! I can’t believe how quick and easy they look! I would love for you to share it and others on my new blog hop Frugal “I Did It!” Tuesday. http://offthegridat-30.blogspot.ca/2012/07/frugal-i-did-it-tuesday-2.html
LOVING the pillow covers!! The fabric is great too!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!!
You did make that look pretty easy – I’m just going to have to bite the bullet and give it a go! :)
Love your slipcovers! The fabric is so cute! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again tomorrow! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse