How To Make an Envelope Closure Pillow

After posting my chair redo earlier this week, I thought I might share with you how I made the pillow. This is a super simple sewing project and a great place to start if your new to sewing. If your not new to sewing than just keep on moving - I don't want you picking apart my amateur tutorial!  : )

* First pick your fabric. This is the best part! Don't be afraid to go with something bold, its just a throw pillow and is so easy to change whenever the mood strikes.

* Measure and cut your fabric. For a 16 x 16 pillow you should cut one square at 17 x 17 and one at 17 x 25. The second piece must be wider to accommodate the overlay of the envelope closure.
 

* Here is what your pieces should look like. Helpful hint - if you have hardwood floors like I do (or tile), use the lines in the wood to cut straight lines.

(I know the bottom piece here doesn't look like a square, but it is, I promise)

* Next, cut your wider piece in half.

* At this point I broke out the iron, but it's not a must - you could just use pins for this step. Fold over and press (or pin) the long edge of the pieces you just cut. This will make the finished edge on the envelope closure.

* Bust out the sewing machine and stitch along the inner edge of the fold. You could hand stitch this if you don't have a machine. Buying a machine doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg, I bought mine six years ago for $60 and it does everything I need. Plus its blue...bonus!

* If your stitching isn't exactly straight, don't worry about it. See how the top piece is kinda crooked? I put that one on the inside of the envelope... no one will ever see it.

* Place your pieces together with the printed sides on the inside and envelopes toward the center.

* Pin the edges to keep everything straight while your sewing. You don't have to go crazy here, 3-4 pins on a side is more than enough.

* Sew around the perimeter of the pillow. When you come to a corner just lift the foot on the machine, turn your pillow, and keep going. It's best to keep one continuous stitch.

* Cut off the excess material from the edges. If your stitch is very near the edge this may not be necessary.

* Square off the corners. This will make for pointier corners than ones that have too much fabric in them.

* Turn your pillow cover right side out - here is how the envelope closure should look.

* That's it, just stuff in your pillow and your done!  Here is how the back will look when it is finished.

 

...And here is the front!

Hope that was helpful! Once you get this down its easy to start adding embellishments and whatnot - the possibilities are endless!

Linked to:

Polly Want A Crafter, Sumos Sweet Stuff, Running with Glitter, Be Colorful, Mad in Crafts, Keeping it Simple, Dittle Dattle, CraftOManiac, At Home with K, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Coastal Charm, Sugar Bee Crafts, Bowl Full of Lemons, Creative Itch, Confessions, Topsy Turvey, Homework, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Not Just a Housewife, All Thingz Related, DIY by Design, Sew Much Ado, Someday Crafts, Handy Man Crafty Woman, Lil Luna, House of Hepworths, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Christina's Adventures, Beyond the Picket Fence, delicateCONSTRUCTION, Remodelaholic, Freckled Laundry, Finding Fabulous, Chic on a Shoestring, Fingerprints on the Fridge, The Shabby Nest, Fun to Craft, Be Different Act Normal, Lolly Jane, Tatertots & Jello, Nifty Thrifty Things, Under the Table and Dreaming, I Heart Nap Time, Sew Chatty, Lines Across My Face, The DIY Home Sweet Home