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Home » Free Patterns

How to Make Cushion Covers - DIY Envelope Cover 10 Mins

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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.

how to make cushion covers
How to Make Cushion Covers

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

Best 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 for Cushion Covers

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 Basic Supplies

Basic sewing supplies are needed such as rulers, scissors, pins, thread and of course your sewing machine.

Further Reading:

  • Beginners Sewing Kit on a Budget
  • Types of Sewing Thread
  • How to Use a Sewing Machine

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.

how to make cushion covers
How to Make Cushion Covers

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.

How to Make Cushion Covers
How to Make Cushion Covers by Measuring the Insert

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).

how to make cushion covers
Formula for How to Make Cushion Covers

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 SIZE14 INCH (35.5CM)16 INCH (40.6CM)18 INCH (45.7CM)20 INCH (50.8CM)
HEIGHT15” (38CM)17” (43.1CM)19” (48.2CM)21” (53.3CM)
WIDTH34” (86.3CM)38” (96.5CM)42” (106.6CM)46” (116.8CM))
How to Make a Cushion Cover - Cutting Guide

How to Make Cushion Covers - Sewing Instructions

Step 1: Hem the Ends

With your fabric WRONG side up, press over the shorter ends by ¼ inch (6mm). Press them over again by ¾ inch (2cm).

Step 1 - How to Make a Cushion Cover - Press
Step 1 - Press Hems

Step 2: Stitch the Hems

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 2 - How to Make a Cushion Cover - Stitch
Step 2 - Stitch

Step 3: Overlap the Hems

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 3 - How to Make a Cushion Cover - Overlap Hems
Step 3 - Overlap Hems

Step 4: Stitch Edges

Stitch across the upper and lower raw edges with a ½ 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.

Stitch the Uppper and Lower Edges
Step 4 - Stitch the Uppper and Lower Edges

Step 5: Clip and Turn

Clip the corners. Turn your cushion cover the RIGHT way out and give it a good press on a setting suitable to your fabric.

Finished Cushion Cover
Finished Cushion Cover

How to Make a Cushion Cover - In Conclusion

Hooray! All finished and ready for your insert. How long did that take you? Mine took around 10 minutes not including the cutting.

how to make cushion covers
How to Make Cushion Covers

Even if you are a newbie and it took a little longer, I think you'll be really pleased with how easily and quickly you could make new cushion covers and update your lounge room.

I think I shall go and make some more!

how to make cushion covers
How to Make Cushion Covers Envelope Style

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!

how to make cushion covers
Christmas Cushion Cover with Applique and Pom Poms Added
  • 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. (Read how to embroider)
  • 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 🙂

how to make cushion covers
How to Make Cushion Covers

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.

pom pom pillows
Pom Pom Pillows
Zipper Cushion Cover
cushion cover with piping
Cushion with Piping
star pillow pattern
Star Pillow Pattern
how to make cushion covers
Envelope Pillow
Pillowcases
Border Pillowcases
Travel Pillow Pattern
Travel Pillow Pattern
  1. FRENCH SEAM STYLE - How to Make a Pillowcase with a French Seam
  2. ENVELOPE STYLE - How to Make a Cushion Cover – Envelope Style
  3. STAR SHAPE - Star Pillow Pattern
  4. DOLL PILLOWS - How to Make a Doll Pillowcase
  5. ZIPPER COVER - Zippered Cushion Covers
  6. COVER WITH PIPING - Make a Cushion Cover with Piping
  7. NECK PILLOW - Travel Pillow Pattern
  8. COVER WITH POM POMS - DIY Pom Pom Pillows
  9. CHRISTMAS COVER - Christmas Pillow
  10. PILLOW WITH BORDER - Pillowcase Pattern
  11. PATCHES - Patchwork Cushion Cover
  12. READING - Reading Pillow Pattern
How to Make a Cushion Cover

How to Make A Cushion Cover

Learn how to make a cushion cover step by step. Easy envelope style wih no zippers.
4.8/5 - (75 votes)
Print Pin
Difficulty: Easy Beginner
Keyword: Sewing Patterns
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Tools

  • Sewing Basics Sewing Machine, thread, scissors, pins.

Materials

  • Fabric
  • Cushion Insert

Instructions

  • Cut the fabric according to the formula in this article.
    How to Make Cushion Covers
  • With your fabric WRONG side up, press over the shorter ends by ¼ inch (6mm). Press them over again by ¾ inch (2cm).
    How to Make a Cushion Cover
  • Stitch across the hems with a sewing machine straight stitch.
    How to Make a Cushion Cover
  • With the fabric RIGHT sides together, fold in the left and right hemmed edges, so they overlap by 4 inches (10cm). 
    How to Make a Cushion Cover
  • Stitch across the upper and lower raw edges with a ½ inch (12mm) seam allowance.
    How to Make a Cushion Cover
  • Turn the cover the right way out and press. Insert cushion.
    How to Make a Cushion Cover
4.8/5 - (75 votes)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tessa Wilkins

    May 26, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Total newbie and with learning how to thread my machine and having a hard time cutting the fabric due to a bad marking pencil it took me waayy longer than it should, 2 1/2 hours. But a great beginner project! My first complete piece!

  2. Jean Carrigan

    January 05, 2020 at 10:41 pm

    I just came across your tutorial. It looks so simple and I am in need of new pillows for my sofa. I cannot wait to get started. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Bed n Quilt

    July 08, 2019 at 10:09 am

    Thanks for sharing this informative Article, this is the first time I visit here, appreciate u keep it up.

  4. BARB THOMAS

    March 31, 2019 at 2:31 am

    Thanks Liz....I just made 4 for my granddaughters bedroom...took me just little over an hour

  5. Treasurie

    March 24, 2019 at 6:27 am

    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.

  6. Jane

    March 24, 2019 at 3:34 am

    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.

  7. Treasurie

    December 26, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    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.

  8. Pat Bigbie

    December 26, 2018 at 3:58 am

    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!

  9. Treasurie

    August 31, 2018 at 11:27 pm

    Your house will look amazing! Thanks for watching my video.

  10. Shilpi rashid

    August 31, 2018 at 5:05 pm

    Thankyou so much for this tutorial I came across this on YouTube! Not stopped making cushion covers ever since..

  11. Treasurie

    August 24, 2018 at 1:31 am

    Thanks so much for your kind comments. I can't wait to hear how it turns out.

  12. JULES

    August 23, 2018 at 10:25 pm

    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!

  13. Treasurie

    March 06, 2018 at 7:15 am

    Hi Liz, these cushion covers are so easy she will have them done in almost no time! Thanks for reading.

  14. Liz

    March 06, 2018 at 6:50 am

    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

  15. Treasurie

    March 03, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    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

  16. Lynne McTrustery

    March 03, 2018 at 6:22 pm

    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.

  17. Sylvia

    January 06, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    Love this! So easy to do....

  18. Vera

    December 27, 2017 at 2:16 am

    Great tutorial with easy to follow instructions! Tried this for my 7 year old daughter's first sewing project & she did fabulous. Thanks!

  19. grace miller

    December 17, 2017 at 7:32 pm

    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

  20. Sandra Nystrom

    December 10, 2017 at 4:22 am

    Thanks so much for this tutorial.I have used others but yours is the best and easiest. Thank you again!

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