How to Make a Simple Throw Pillow Cover

Give Any Room a Fresh New Look with Easy-to-Sew Home Accessory

May 21, 2009
Christine Mann

Throw Pillow Made from Fabric Panel - Photo by Christine Mann

Throw pillows add a splash of color and softness that makes a room feel comfortable and welcoming. Sew your own pillows to give a home's decor a frugal personal touch.

One of the easiest ways to transform a room is to add a few throw pillows, or update pillows you already have with new covers.

A silk pillow cover can really dress up a room, while a shabby chic cover made from a big floral print can give a house a cottage look. A few seasonal throw pillows can help decorate a home for any holiday, from Christmas to Valentine’s Day to Halloween.

Best of all, throw pillows are surprisingly easy to sew. No fancy techniques are needed.

Throw Pillow Covers Use Up Extra Fabric

Throw pillow covers can be made from a wide variety of fabrics: orphan quilt blocks, quilting fabric, fleece, upholstery fabric, silk, linen, even faux fur. Before you head off to the fabric store, look through your stash for leftovers that can be repurposed for your pillow.

Easy Throw Pillow Cover is Removable for Washing

This pillow cover has an opening in the back to make it easy to remove the cover for washing. Assembling it should take less than an hour. Add extra time if you want to quilt or embellish the front panel.

Simple Throw Pillow Supply List

Pillow form. These are available in many sizes at craft or fabric stores, or you can reuse a pillow form you already have.
(Optional) batting and backing fabric for quilting the pillow front, if desired.
(Optional) Appliqué or embellishments such as buttons, ribbons, embroidery floss, decorative threads.
(Optional) Trim to go around the pillow’s outside edge.
Rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
Sewing machine, iron and pressing surface
Front panel fabric: This should be 2” wider and 2” longer than the pillow form. (If the pillow form is 14” x 14”, the front panel fabric should be 16” x 16.”)
Back panel fabric: This can be a different fabric from the front panel. You will need 2 identical pieces, each one the same width as the front panel fabric. The back panel length should be half of the front panel length + 2½”, so the back pieces will overlap each other when assembled. (If the front panel is 16” x 16”, the back panel will be 8” + 2½”, or 10½”.)

Fabric Dimensions for Popular Pillow Sizes

14” x 14” pillow: Front 16” x 16”. Back, 2 pieces, 16” x 10½” each
18” x 18”pillow: Front 20” x 20”. Back, 2 pieces, 20” x 12½” each
24” x 24” pillow: Front 26” x 26”. Back, 2 pieces, 26” x 15½” each

Step by Step Instructions for Sewing a Throw Pillow

Cut the fabric for front and back to the size that fits your pillow form. See the section above for dimensions.
(Optional) Quilt the front panel, add appliqué, or add buttons, ribbons, or other embellishments. It's much easier to do this before you assemble the pillow than afterwards.
Finish the top edge of each back panel piece by folding over ½” to the wrong side, pressing, then folding again to completely hide the top raw edge. Stitch along the folded edge. An alternate way to finish the edges is to bind each top edge like a quilt, using an extra piece of double-fold binding.
Lay the front panel right side up on a flat surface. Lay the two back panel pieces right side down on top of the front panel, aligning them all around the outside edges. The back pieces should overlap in the middle. Pin all around the outside edges.
Sew around the outside edge of the pillow, using a ½” seam for strength. Remove the pins as you sew to avoid hitting a pin with your needle.
Clip the seam allowance in the corners to make turning easier. (Optional: stitch around all the raw edges with a zigzag stitch to neaten the seams and prevent raveling.)
Turn the pillow cover right side out, using a chopstick or the eraser end of a pencil to poke out the corners.
Insert the pillow form into the opening on the back side.

That’s all there is to making a stylish new pillow cover, the perfect home accessory for any mood or occasion. If you still have some creative energy left, try embellishing your pillow with an easy 5-minute tassel made from yarn, ribbon, or embroidery floss.

If you liked this article, try more easy sewing projects:

Sew easy quilted fabric potholders. It takes just an hour or two to make one-of-a-kind potholders from leftover fabric and batting. Potholders make great wedding shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts.

Make a fabric gift pouch in 30 minutes or less. Wrap your gifts in clever cloth pouches that can be reused over and over. You'll help reduce the mountain of trash generated by gift wrapping during the holiday season.