Today is a fun project whether you're little or grown. It's a fast and easy sew with a satisfying finished product and you'll have a hard time stopping with just one! Envelope Pillows! No zippers, buttons or other intimidating closures, just a few straight seams and you've got yourself fun pillows ready to spruce up your sofa, bed or pillow fort.
I did my shopping for this project at a well known Scandinavian store that most people can find locally to make this project extra simple to follow along with - but have no fear, if you can't (or don't want to brave said shop) this is easily adaptable to any pillow inserts you may have or be able to find. Another plus to shopping there is their incredibly affordable, good quality fabric with fun prints! $5.99 a metre? yes please!
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For this project you are going to need:
- 1 panel of fabric for the front 20" x 20" (50 cm x 50 cm)
- 2 panels of fabric for the back 20" x 15" (50 cm x 38 cm )
- Coordinating thread.
- Cushion insert. I used these from Ikea but any will do.
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The skills learned in making the cushion covers will be:
- using the iron
- measuring hems
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A quick note on altering the panel sizes if you are using a different insert. For the front panel use the exact measurements of your pillow - for example if you are using a 16" x 16" insert then cut the front panel 16" x 16". For the back panels use half the measurement of one side and add 5 inches (in this example case 16 ÷ 2 = 8 and add 5 inches = 13") so cut 2 panels at 16" x 13". You are cutting the insert with the exact measurements and not adding seam allowance because you want a bit of a tighter fit for a fluffier look.
On that note, let's get this party started!
1. Cut out your fabric panels.
2. Fold one of the long sides of the back panel over 1" (2.5 cm) and 1" (2.5cm) again. Press. Repeat with the other panel. (And ignore the coffee stain on my ironing board cover - she's seen a lot of late night, caffeine fuelled sewing sessions!)
3. Stitch down along inside folded edge.
4. Pin bottom and top panels together, right sides together. You will have a 3"(7.5cm) overlap in the center. I like to use wonder clips (which you can find here*) when I do sewing projects with my little lady. They're simple and easy to use and take away the danger of her pricking herself while creating.
5. Stitch around the edge of the pillow with a 1/2" (1.25cm) seam allowance.
6. Clip the corners, making sure not to cut your stitches.
7. Turn cushion cover right side out and press.
8. Fill with cushion and repeat with all the fun prints!
This is Lesson 3 of our 12 part series aimed at teaching your little one how to use the sewing machine and then creating a different and fun project each week. If you are jumping in now I recommend popping back to the first lesson that covers introducing your child to the machine and starting from there. This course is designed with you guiding your child through each lesson and is not meant or recommended for your child to go at it alone. Children should be supervised at all times while using the sewing machine and iron.
We hope you're having fun in little sewing school! Join in next Friday for the next lesson. We'd love to see your own sewing school in action using our lessons so please tag us in #pplittlesewingschool to share the fun! If you have any questions or comments leave them in our new interactive comment bar below or join us for inspiration and fun in our Puzzle Pattern Facebook Group!
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