How to Make Decorative Pillows

You may have figured out that I’m on a quest to make my house pretty and cute, but I don’t have a huge budget. That doesn’t stop me. I don’t mind a little fun crafting, sewing, or DIYing. I wanted to add a little something to our living room that made it feel like spring. I figured out a super simple pattern for decorative pillows.

By purchasing fabric with a 40% off coupon, I was able to get a great deal on some cute and spring like fabric. I knew adding extra pillows to the living room would be a fun and easy way to change things out for each season. I didn’t want to spend a long time making these though, so I came up with an easy and quick pattern to make envelope pillow covers. I put them on the IKEA hack pillows I showed you last week.

You ready to have some fun with the seasons in your house? Let’s get to this easy sewing project.

Start by measuring the width and length of the pillow forms for your decorative pillows. I have two sizes of pillows. The smaller pillow is 11.5″ x 16″ and the larger pillow is 15.5″ x 24″.

You will need to cut out three pieces for each pillow. The largest piece (pictured at the bottom) will be the front of your pillow cover. The two smaller pieces will create the envelope on the back of the pillow. You will slip your pillow form into the cover this way.

To get the correct cut for your the largest piece, add 1″ to the measurements you took. For example, my smaller pillow is 11.5″ x 16″. I cut that larger piece out at 12.5″ x 17″.

The two smaller pieces(pictured at the top) should be cut at the full width + 1″ and 1/2 of the length + 3″. Let me give you an example. My smaller pillow is 11.5″ x 16″. I cut out two pieces at 12.5″ (the full width + 1″ or 11.5″+1″) by 11″ (1/2 the length + 3″ or 16÷2 + 3=11).

Once you have the math and cutting out-of-the-way, press a 1/2″ seam into one side of both of the smaller pieces of fabric. Make sure you press this into the correct side. It should be the width side not the length side(or the 12.5″ side in my example). Sew the seam.

Place the largest cut right side up on a flat surface. Line the two smaller cuts right side down on top of the largest cut. Make sure your pressed and hemmed sides, of the smaller cuts, are toward the center of the fabric as picture above.

The second of the smaller cuts will also go right side down with the seam side toward the center. They will overlap with the finished seams in the center. Pin and sew around the entire pillow cover using a 1/2″ seam allowance.

You are almost done. Before you turn your pillow cover, cut the corners and press the seams. I cheat a bit when I press the seams. I usually just press one side up and figure it has gotten the seam open and exposed. I feel like it does a fine job once the item is turned.

Using the large opening, turn your pillow cover. Slip your decorative pillows inside the envelope covers and you are done! See, I told you this was easy.

Want to make this but don’t know how to sew? Try this Online Sewing Class (affiliate link) course from Craftsy. It goes through the basics which should be enough for this pattern.

Because I made the cheap pillow forms, I can easily and inexpensively change the pillows out in my living room for each season or holiday! Yay! I’m looking forward to doing so! I’m sure I’ll show you some more ideas along the way. 🙂

How do you like to add a seasonal touch to your living room? I’d love to hear your ideas. It would make me so happy to hear other ideas! Do tell. Leave a comment below. Thanks!

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