DIY Plaid Envelope Pillow: Step-by-Step Sewing Tutorial

Use this quick envelope pillow tutorial to make pillows that match your decor or to refresh your home seasonally. These handmade pillows are thoughtful, personalized gifts for holidays, birthdays, or weddings.

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Hello, friends! Here’s a fast and simple home-decor sewing project: an easy plaid envelope pillow tutorial. If you’re not an experienced sewer, don’t worry—this is a very forgiving project. You only need to sew four straight lines, and exact precision isn’t required. It’s a great way to dust off that sewing machine and make something cozy.

If you can sew straight lines, you can do this. I used flannel for a warm, snuggly look, but the same method works with almost any fabric: cotton, canvas, fleece, minky, or home-decor fabric. The pillows shown were made to coordinate with a tear-and-tie plaid flannel wreath for a fall display. Each cover took about an hour (photography added to the time), and flannel makes for a soft, relaxed sofa accent.

Easy Envelope Pillow Tutorial

Ready to make your own? You’ll need:

• 2 pillow forms (18″ x 18″ used here; choose size to match your inserts)
• 1-1/4 yards fabric (plaid flannel shown, but any fabric will work)
• Pins, fabric scissors and a sewing machine

Directions

1. Cut fabric. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and smooth it. Cut along the fold so you have two long pieces, each the full length (1-1/4 yards). Depending on your fabric width (45″, 54″, or 60″), trim the long dimension to the pillow height—18″ for 18″ pillows, 16″ for 16″ pillows, etc. Note: making the cover the same size as the insert with minimal seam allowance gives a full, plump finish.

2. Make the first (narrow) pocket seam. On one short edge of a fabric piece, fold the raw edge 1/2″ toward the wrong side, then fold again 1″ to create a double-folded hem. Pin and stitch close to the folded edge. Tip: use a longer stitch length for home-decor sewing to reduce puckering and speed sewing.

3. Make the second (wide) pocket seam. On the opposite short edge, fold over 1″ first and then fold 3″ to create a wider, finished seam that will show on the outside of the pillow. Pin and sew close to the initial fold for a neat, sturdy edge.

4. Lay fabric right side down. Place the prepared fabric on a flat surface with the right side facing down.

5. Wrap the pillow form with fabric. Center the pillow form on the fabric. Start with the wide-seamed end and bring it toward the middle. Pull the other end (the narrow seam) over the form so it overlaps the wider seam. Smooth and pin the overlapping edges to form the envelope opening.

6. Slide the fabric off the insert. Keep pins in place as you remove the pillow form.

7. Pin raw edges. Align and pin the raw edges along both sides so they are even and smooth.

8. Sew and finish. Straight stitch along both pinned edges, removing pins before the needle reaches them to avoid breaking needles. Clip corners carefully, turn the cover right side out, and insert the pillow form.

Repeat with your second fabric piece to make a matching set. Two pillow covers can be completed for just a few dollars in about an hour.

Using patterned fabric like plaid can simplify cutting and alignment—just follow the lines for square, even edges. Swapping pillow covers is one of the easiest ways to update a room for a new season or to refresh your decor. Making your own ensures the exact look and fabric you want, and handmade pillows are meaningful, affordable gifts.

This simple project is an ideal way to revive an old sewing machine and create cozy, custom accents for your home.

Disclosure: the original article noted affiliate links and a disclosure policy.