Adding decorative pillow covers to your home decor is a simple and cost-effective way to refresh your space. Whether you’re looking to add a pop of color, incorporate seasonal themes, or just change things up, making your own pillow covers allows for endless customization. Not only is this a fun and creative project, but it also offers the satisfaction of crafting something by hand. This guide will walk you through how to make decorative pillow covers, cutting fabric, and sewing techniques to create professional-looking decorative pillow covers that can transform any room in your home.
Benefits of Making Decorative Pillow Covers
Creating your own decorative pillow covers offers numerous benefits beyond just aesthetic appeal. Firstly, it allows for complete personalization; you can choose colors, patterns, and textures that perfectly match your existing decor or reflect your personal style. This level of customization is often hard to find with store-bought options.
Additionally, making your own covers can be more economical. By selecting your own materials and repurposing existing fabric, you can save money while still achieving a high-end look. Furthermore, this DIY project supports sustainable practices, as it allows you to upcycle old fabrics and reduce waste.
Materials Needed
To get started on making your decorative pillow covers, gather the following materials:
- Fabric: Choose based on your style preference and the size of the pillow. Cotton, linen, and velvet are popular choices for their durability and texture.
- Measuring Tape: Essential for measuring your pillow insert and fabric accurately to ensure a proper fit.
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter: For cutting fabric pieces to the desired size with clean edges.
- Pins or Clips: To hold fabric pieces together while sewing, ensuring precision in alignment.
- Sewing Machine: While hand sewing is an option, a sewing machine will speed up the process and provide stronger seams.
- Thread: Choose a color that matches or contrasts with your fabric for a stylish seam finish.
10 Methods How to Make Decorative Pillow Covers
1. Envelope Closure Pillow Covers
The envelope closure pillow cover is one of the easiest and most beginner-friendly methods. This design involves overlapping fabric flaps at the back of the pillow, creating an “envelope” that allows you to insert and remove the pillow form easily without needing zippers or buttons.
To make this type of pillow cover, you’ll need two rectangular pieces of fabric for the back and one square piece for the front. Hem the edges of the back pieces, overlap them, and sew all the layers together along the outer edges. The envelope closure design is both practical and simple, making it a versatile choice for a variety of fabrics, patterns, and styles.
2. Zippered Pillow Covers
If you prefer a more polished look for your decorative pillow covers, consider adding a hidden zipper. While this method is slightly more advanced, it results in a sleek and professional finish. To create a zippered pillow cover, you’ll cut two equal pieces of fabric for the front and back.
Sew the zipper into one edge of the fabric pieces before stitching the remaining three sides of the pillow cover. Hidden zippers allow for easy removal of the pillow insert, and they keep the design of the cover clean and uninterrupted by closures. This method works especially well for modern and minimalist decor styles, where you want the focus to remain on the fabric rather than the construction.
3. Fabric Painting and Stenciling
For a truly unique and personalized decorative pillow cover, fabric painting and stenciling are excellent options. You can use fabric paint and stencils to create custom patterns, designs, or even quotes on your pillow covers. Start with plain fabric in your desired color, and use stencils to apply your design with fabric-safe paint.
Geometric shapes, floral motifs, and abstract designs are popular choices for stenciling. For a more artistic look, you can freehand paint designs directly onto the fabric. Once the paint is dry, heat set it with an iron to make it washable. This method allows for endless creativity and is a great way to add a pop of color or personal flair to your home decor.
4. Embroidered Pillow Covers
Embroidering your pillow covers adds a beautiful, handcrafted touch that brings texture and detail to your space. You can either hand embroider your designs or use an embroidery machine if you prefer precision and efficiency. Start with a plain fabric base, and choose embroidery floss in colors that complement your room’s decor.
Popular embroidery designs for pillow covers include monograms, botanical patterns, and geometric shapes. Hand embroidery allows you to create delicate, intricate details that add a sense of luxury and craftsmanship to your pillow covers. This method is perfect for enhancing traditional or vintage-inspired interiors.
5. Piping Trim Pillow Covers
Adding piping trim around the edges of your pillow cover gives it a polished, tailored look. Piping is a decorative cord encased in fabric that is sewn into the seams of the pillow cover. To create a piped pillow cover, sew the piping between two pieces of fabric (one for the front and one for the back) before stitching the seams together.
Piping adds dimension and contrast to your pillows, especially if you use a different color or patterned fabric for the piping. This method works well with solid-color pillow covers, as the piping provides a subtle yet sophisticated accent that elevates the overall design.
6. Appliqué Pillow Covers
Appliqué is a technique where fabric shapes or designs are sewn onto a base fabric to create decorative elements. To make an appliqué pillow cover, start by cutting out fabric pieces in your desired shapes—such as flowers, leaves, or geometric patterns—and arrange them on the pillow cover fabric.
Sew the edges of the appliqué pieces onto the base fabric using either a straight or zigzag stitch. You can mix and match fabrics with different textures and colors to create vibrant, layered designs. Appliqué pillow covers are ideal for adding visual interest and a playful, handmade touch to your decor.
7. Quilted Pillow Covers
Quilting is a method that adds texture and structure to your decorative pillow covers. To create a quilted pillow cover, start by layering a piece of batting between two pieces of fabric—one for the front and one for the back. Stitch through all three layers to create a quilted effect.
You can use straight-line stitching, free-motion quilting, or even hand quilting for a more rustic look. The quilting technique adds warmth and comfort to your pillow covers, making them perfect for cozying up your living room or bedroom. This method also works well with patchwork designs, where you can use scraps of fabric to create a unique, multi-patterned pillow cover.
8. Tassel and Fringe Embellishments
Tassels and fringe are popular embellishments that can instantly add a boho-chic vibe to your pillow covers. To create tassel-accented pillow covers, you can make your own tassels using embroidery floss or yarn and attach them to the corners of the pillow cover. For fringe, sew a strip of fringe trim along the edges of the pillow cover for a fun, textured finish.
Tassels and fringe work especially well with neutral or solid-color fabrics, adding a dynamic and playful element without overwhelming the design. This method is perfect for bohemian or eclectic interiors where texture and color play a key role in the decor.
9. Reversible Pillow Covers
A reversible pillow cover offers the convenience of two designs in one. This method involves using two different fabrics—one for each side of the pillow cover—so that you can easily switch up the look of your decor by flipping the pillow. To make a reversible pillow cover, simply sew two pieces of fabric together with an envelope closure or zipper.
Choose contrasting fabrics that complement your overall decor, such as a bold pattern on one side and a neutral solid on the other. This versatile method allows you to update the look of your space without having to make or buy additional pillow covers.
10. Patchwork Pillow Covers
Patchwork pillow covers are a great way to use fabric scraps or mix and match patterns for a colorful, eclectic look. To make a patchwork pillow cover, cut fabric squares or rectangles and arrange them in a pleasing pattern. Sew the pieces together to create the front of the pillow cover, then attach a solid piece of fabric for the back.
Patchwork designs can be as simple or complex as you like, depending on the number of fabric pieces and patterns you use. This method is ideal for creating one-of-a-kind pillow covers that showcase a variety of textures, colors, and prints. Patchwork pillows are perfect for adding a touch of whimsy and personality to casual or eclectic home decor styles.
Conclusion
Creating decorative pillow covers is a fun and rewarding way to personalize your home decor. From simple envelope closures and zipper finishes to more advanced techniques like embroidery, quilting, and appliqué, there’s a method for every skill level and design preference. Thanks for reading, and we hope this has given you some inspiration on how to make decorative pillow covers!