This tutorial will show you how to make cushion covers in an envelope-style in 10 minutes and with just one simple piece of fabric. Have you got some tired cushions that are in desperate need of a make-over? New cushion covers are an inexpensive way to update your living room and to add a touch of color and warmth to a comfortable couch.
Envelope cushion covers are removable and have a slit at the back with an overlap of fabric. This makes them easy to get on and off your cushions when they need to be washed and best of all there are no zippers or buttons to sew.
Intermediate and advanced sewers will be able to make these cushion covers really really quickly. But I promise even if this is your first time sewing, you will be able to sew cushion covers in this envelope style with ease.
How to Make Cushion Covers | Supplies
Fabrics
You want to make your cushion covers in sturdy fabrics that can be washed. Choose decorator fabrics such as upholstery fabric, canvas, drill or duck or medium weight quilting cotton.
Fabrics such as velvet do look nice on your couch but won’t take as much wear and tear. So think about how much you will be using the cushion covers and whether they are just decorative.
I also like to choose fabrics that don’t squash easily. Linen looks modern and trendy but will get very creased if you plan on sitting on it every day.
Inserts
Cushion inserts are available from most homeware and haberdashery stores in a variety of sizes. They are nearly always white with a non-woven cover and stuffed with polyester stuffing. You may even just remove your old covers and reuse what you already have.
Discount stores are also a good source of cheap cushion inserts. If you find a cheap but ugly cushion you can use this how to make cushion covers tutorial to recover them.
This tutorial will show you how to make cushion covers for any sized square insert.
The Basics
Basic sewing supplies are needed such as rulers, scissors, pins, thread and of course your sewing machine.
Further Reading:
How to Make Cushion Covers | Video
Watch this YouTube video I made for you 🙂 It is only 3 minutes long so make a cup of tea and relax!
Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel for weekly sewing and craft videos.
How to Make Cushion Covers
Before you start, have a look at this graphic. This will help you visualize a little better the steps we are about to take. Not much to do is there!
You will probably take the longest choosing and cutting your fabrics rather than sewing.
Measure the Insert
Measure your pillow insert’s dimensions. Make sure you are measuring around the curve of your pillow and not just the finished width.
Because we are learning how to make cushion covers that are square, the length and width will be the same. If yours is a little rectangular, the formulas below will still work – just do your maths carefully.
Cut the Fabric
Cut your fabric in a rectangle with the following dimensions. Use a rotary cutter and mat if you have one to get nice straight edges.
FORMULAS
- Height – Add 1 inch (2.5cm) to the height for the seam allowance.
- Width – Multiply the width x 2 (for the back and front) and then add 6 inches (15.2cm) for the overlap.
This will give a finished cushion cover the same size as your insert. If you like a really tight cover then reduce the height by 1 inch (2.5cm).
Cutting Guide for Common Sizes
To save you some time and maths, here is a table showing you the most common couch pillow insert sizes. These are all square sizes.
| PILLOW SIZE | 14 INCH (35.5CM) | 16 INCH (40.6CM) | 18 INCH (45.7CM) | 20 INCH (50.8CM) |
| HEIGHT | 15” (38CM) | 17” (43.1CM) | 19” (48.2CM) | 21” (53.3CM) |
| WIDTH | 34” (86.3CM) | 38” (96.5CM) | 42” (106.6CM) | 46” (116.8CM)) |
How to Make Cushion Covers | Sewing Instructions
Step 1: With your fabric WRONG side up, press over the shorter ends by 1/4 inch (6mm). Press them over again by 3/4 inch (2cm).
Step 2: Stitch across the hems with a sewing machine straight stitch.
Now if you got to this part and thought oh-no I don’t have a sewing machine, don’t worry. You can hand stitch these ends and the seams in later steps with a backstitch or a running stitch.
Step 3: With the fabric RIGHT sides together, fold in the left and right hemmed edges so they overlap by 4 inches (10cm).
Try and get the overlap centered. Mine could have been a little more to the left.
You can double-check the width of the cover. It should be the same width as your insert.
Pin the overlap in place and pin the upper and lower raw edges.
Step 4: Stitch across the upper and lower raw edges with a 1/2 inch (12mm) seam allowance.
If you are using a fabric that frays you finish the seams with a zig-zag stitch or serger. This will help it last through multiple washes.
Step 5: Clip the corners. Turn your cushion cover the RIGHT way out and give it a good press on a setting suitable to your fabric.
Hooray! All finished and ready for your insert. How long did that take you? Mine took around 10 minutes including the cutting.
Even if you are a newbie and it took a little longer, I think you’ll be really pleased with how easy and quickly you could make new cushion covers and update your lounge room.
I think I shall go and make some more!
Design Ideas for How to Make Cushion Covers
Here are some ideas for embellishing your pillows. Now you have learned how to make a cushion cover the next ones should be fancier!
- POM POMS – Add large, fluffy pom-poms to the corners (Read how to make pom poms)
- TASSELS – Add yarn tassels to the corners (Read how to make tassels)
- PERSONALIZE – Personalize your cushion cover with an embroidered or appliqued name.
- SEQUINS – Sew sequins on your DIY cushion cover (Read how to sew sequins)
- PIPING – Insert piping into the seams (Read how to make piping and cushion cover with piping)
- EMBROIDER – Cushions look amazing with hand-stitched designs. This can be done before you sew the cushion cover or at the end. Use colorful embroidery floss in simple stitches such as running stitch.
- YO-YOs – Make fabric yo-yos from all your fabulous colorful scrap fabrics and sew them to your pillow. This is an easy and exciting way to add some texture and design to a plain fabric. (Read how to make fabric yo yos.)
- TEXTURE – Cushion covers don’t need to be fancy. Make several cushions in similar colors with different textures. For example mix silk, faux fur and textured fabrics in monotone shades.
PIN IMAGE FOR LATER 🙂
More Articles on Pillows and Cushions
How great do these pillows look? Now all you need to complete your new lounge room is to learn how to make curtains for a totally coordinated and refreshed look.
You can also make numerous variations of cushion covers with piping, zippers and much more.
- FRENCH SEAM STYLE – How to make a Pillowcase with a French Seam
- ENVELOPE STYLE – How to make a Cushion Cover – Envelope Style
- STAR SHAPE – Star Pillow Pattern
- DOLL PILLOWS – How to make a Doll Pillowcase
- ZIPPER COVER – Zippered cushion covers
- COVER WITH PIPING – Make a Cushion Cover with Piping
- NECK PILLOW – Travel Pillow Pattern
- COVER WITH POM POMS – DIY Pom Pom Pillows
- CHRISTMAS COVER – Christmas Pillow
- PILLOW WITH BORDER – Pillowcase pattern
Amy P says
Came across your site in Pinterest today! You’ve got a great site and post! I like that you have few words and more direction in your pictures, and just very easy and simple to follow.
treasurie says
Thanks so much for taking the time to read! I have more home dec articles coming 🙂
Rgi says
Wow, realy was a 10 min pillow. Love it . I see many more in my house.
treasurie says
Thanks for reading! Enjoy the new pillows in your house ?
Jennyl says
It looks so easy! Thanks for sharing, I’m sure it will be fun and would look nice on the couch.
treasurie says
It is amazing what difference new cushion covers make to your couch. Thanks for reading 🙂
Kira says
amazing project!! this was my first sewing experience and it went SUPER well. instructions were clear and straightforward and the cover turned out great!
treasurie says
Hi Kira, I’m so glad it all turned out so well. You can admire your hard work everytime you sit on the couch! Well done sewing your first project too 🙂
sallycooper says
This is a really great tutorial. Thank you!
Treasurie says
Hey Sally, thanks the appreciation 🙂
Patti A Ng says
I’ve made these covers before. I like your method. Simple and quick. Thank you.
Cynthia Fedak says
I love the way you do yours, only one piece. I have done them in three pieces before, this is so much easier. Thanks!
Treasurie says
Yes this is so much less sewing and cutting. Thanks for reading.
Kate says
I was looking for a project for me and my very keen 6 year old to sew together….this looks perfect!!!! I’ll let you kmow how we go! Thank you!!!
Tailleur Novice says
Great Tutorial, I am just starting out and your site is the best out there in the whole WWW(world wide web)…I completed my first project and was extremely pleased with myself….Thank you for this wonderful site…
Treasurie says
Hi Tailleur, thanks for the huge compliment 🙂 Enjoy the new cushion covers.
Jenny Van Rensburg says
Wow this really went quick . The instructions are easy to use.
Shirley McNeill says
Just curious, you say to make the height 1 inch higher than the insert to allow for hemming. When the fabric is spread out, you say to turn it under 1/4 inch and press, then 3/4 inch, press and sew. This accounts for the extra inch in height, but it has to be done at each end, that makes 2 inches in total. Therefore shouldn’t an extra 2 inches be allowed, not 1 inch?
Shirley McNeill says
Kindly disregard my question. I’ve just realized where my mistake was.
Treasurie says
Glad making your cushion cover all worked out 🙂
Sandra Nystrom says
Thanks so much for this tutorial.I have used others but yours is the best and easiest. Thank you again!
grace miller says
Great way to do couch pillows. I love it. I have been for many years and hated to try pillow covers as they are never easy. Well they are now. Thank you . Grace
Vera says
Great tutorial with easy to follow instructions! Tried this for my 7 year old daughter’s first sewing project & she did fabulous. Thanks!
Sylvia says
Love this! So easy to do….
Lynne McTrustery says
Your tutorial is in an e-mag I get. Can’t wait to try this. I ended up turning my last attempt into an oblong cover instead of a square one. This looks so much simpler. Thank you.
Treasurie says
Hi Lynne, Glad you made your way here 🙂 You can use this same technique to make an oblong cover. It is just a little trickier to feed the insert in at the end but still works. Thanks for reading and commenting. x Dixi
Liz says
Perfect timing… I was trying to explain this method to a friend needing to make several cushion covers for church Sunday school and now I can just this to her …great instructions and photos…thanks so much
Treasurie says
Hi Liz, these cushion covers are so easy she will have them done in almost no time! Thanks for reading.
JULES says
Thank you i have been trying to find a tutorial that i as a learner can understand, i cant wait now to make my first one!
Treasurie says
Thanks so much for your kind comments. I can’t wait to hear how it turns out.
Shilpi rashid says
Thankyou so much for this tutorial I came across this on YouTube! Not stopped making cushion covers ever since..
Treasurie says
Your house will look amazing! Thanks for watching my video.
Pat Bigbie says
I can hardly wait to make 4 pillow covers for the pillow forms I bought for my daughters new couch!!
One question though?
She has a cat and a dog. And a young son!
So the pillows will for sure be dragged around from time to time!!
I have a good quality cotton material to make these covers..
But I am wondering?
Is there something, maybe just starch, that can protect these pillows well?
Thank you for such an easy guide…I really do appreciate it.
Thank you so much for any replies!
Treasurie says
It sounds like she has a busy household! You can purchase fabric protectors such as Scotchguard that repels dirt. But I would save the expense and chemicals and just wash the covers from time to time. Using this envelope method they are easy to take on and off and throw in the washing machine. Most quilting cotton fabrics wash well and last. And just finish the seams well to withstand all the extra wear and tear. Thanks for reading my article and good luck with your pillows.
Jane says
I am familiar with the envelope pillow pattern. I’m wondering how this pattern will work for the square foam. I’m wanting to make pads to put on chairs. For a week long class.
Treasurie says
It depends if your foam has a large amount of depth. If they are thin then this will work but if they are thick you really need a gusset (strip around the edge) for it to sit nicely.
BARB THOMAS says
Thanks Liz….I just made 4 for my granddaughters bedroom…took me just little over an hour
Bed n Quilt says
Thanks for sharing this informative Article, this is the first time I visit here, appreciate u keep it up.