Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover Two Ways – No Zippers Required

Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover Two Ways – No Zippers Required

Winter – when we’re indoors more than out and cold more than warm –

Cozying up on the couch with the dogs, fire burning in the wood stove, throw blankets, and soft, pretty pillows…

Pillows?  

I don’t know about yours, but mine could sure use a refresh!

Maybe you’d like a different look this winter?

Or perhaps you’re thinking ahead to spring and summer when decorative pillow covers are lighter and brighter?

Either way, if you are tired of the same old pillow covers staring at you or are fed up with paying a high price for new covers – much less new pillows altogether – then here are two simple tutorials for easy DIY square pillow covers that are not only budget-friendly, but quick as well.

This is a beginner-level project. 

You Will Need

Fabric (I prefer machine-washable fabrics) 

Thread

Sewing machine

Scissors

Tape measure

Yardstick (optional)

Square Pillow (or pillow insert)

Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover – Variation #1

You will need to measure your pillow.  

My pillow is a square measuring 17″ by 17″.

I will cut one piece of fabric. 

The math to figure out the size is as follows:

Add one inch to one of the side’s measurements, for example, if your pillow, like mine, is 17″ by 17″, you will add 1 inch to one of the sides making it 18″.

The other measurement is a little trickier.  Double the length and add 6 inches. 

So for a 17″ by 17″ pillow, you’d do this equation:  (17″ x 2) + 6″ = 40″

Your final cut piece of fabric should measure 18″ by 40″.

How Much Fabric do I Buy?

If you are buying fabric by the yard, you can make this using 2/3 of a yard of 44-45″ wide fabric, having the shortest edge of the pillow cover along the selvage (finished) edge.

If your pillow is 16″ square, you can make a pillow with 1/2 yard of 44-45″ wide fabric.

For common pillow sizes, here are the cut fabric measurements, along with estimated fabric yardages for 44″ wide fabric:

14″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 15″ by 34″ (1/2 yard)

15″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 16″ by 36″ (1/2 yard)

16″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 17″ by 38″ (1/2 yard)

17″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 18″ by 40″ (5/8 yard)

18″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 19″ by 42″ (2/3 yard)

19″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 20″ by 44″ (2/3 yard)

20″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 21″ by 46″ (3/4 yard of 46″+ wide fabric, I usually find 54″ wide)

Do you see a “pattern” forming?  (pun not intended)

Doing the Math

If your pillow measurements are different from mine or from those listed above, use this formula to figure out how to cut fabric for any size square pillow cover:

The pillow is “X”  inches by “X” inches (square).

One side of the fabric will measure:  X + 1 inch.

The other side of the fabric will measure: X + X + 6 inches.

Cutting Tip

When cutting a raw edge so that it is straight, use a T-square or yardstick.

If you have a cutting mat that has the measurements pre-printed on it, that works well, too.

If you are using a fabric with a straight-line pattern, such as ticking or gingham checks, cut straight along one of the lines that correspond with your fabric measurement.

Double-Check

***Here is another easy trick if buying new fabric – bring your pillow with you to the store.  Hold it up to the fabric and unwrap some of the material from the bolt to see if it will be an appropriate measurement. 

Or, if you happen to be in a store that stocks pillow forms, grab one that’s the same size as your pillow, and proceed accordingly to see if the fabric will measure out to be enough.

Even if you have the measurements, this is a good way to double-check that you’re on the right track with buying enough fabric.

Once we’ve determined how much fabric we’ll need, we’ll have it measured and cut.  Then we’ll pick out a matching thread!

Let’s make an easy DIY square pillow cover!

Sew the Pillow Cover

1-Narrow hem each of the shortest edges of your fabric.  I would turn it under twice(each time 1/4″) to give it a nice, clean finish.

2-Lay your fabric out, right side up, onto a tabletop or other flat surface.  

3-(Easiest) Fold your fabric in half to find the center.  Whatever the size of your pillow, divide one side measurement in half and mark it by drawing a line from the center out.  So if you are making a pillow cover that is 17″, you will measure and mark 8.5″ from both sides of the center of the fabric piece.

4-Now fold each end along the lines you just marked, right sides together, so that the hemmed edges overlap in the middle.  Pin into place.  (Baste if you need the extra reinforcement)

5-Stitch down each of the two sides of the fabric.  Feel free to finish the seams with a zig-zag stitch, or use pinking shears to trim.

6-Trim corners.

7-Turn right side out. 

8-Stuff pillow inside.

Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover Variation #2

This will be similar to variation #1, except you will be cutting 3 pieces instead of 1 piece.  

Do not fret!  This is still quite easy to do. 

The advantage of knowing this way to make a pillow cover is that it’s versatile.

I mean, what if you found a cool little curtain or fabric remnant somewhere like a thrift store, or your attic, perhaps?  And there is just enough to make the front of the pillow cover?

You will need to find fabric for the back of the pillow, as well, but this can also come from just about anywhere. 

How to Make a 3-Piece Pillow Cover

You’ll measure your square pillow, the same as before.  

I’m going to make a cover for a 16″ square pillow.

I will start by cutting two(2) pieces of fabric.  One should measure the same as the pillow dimensions plus one inch all around(for seam allowance*):

Example 16″ + 1″ = 17″.  (The piece for the front of the pillow cover will measure 17″ by 17″. )

The second piece will be 17 ” on one edge (as above), but the other edge should measure the same as the pillow edge plus an additional six(6) inches on one of the sides, making this piece a rectangle.  Fold the two(2) shortest ends together and cut this piece in half.  Your long piece has just become 2 short pieces.

Example – One edge will measure 16″ + 1″ = 17″

The other edge will measure 16″+ 6″ = 22″

Cut in half, it will measure 17″ by 11″.

To cut it in half, I simply fold it matching the two shortest (17″) edges together, hold it in place, and cut it along the fold into 2 equal parts.

Now we have 3 pieces in total.

Here is another picture (of yet another pillow cover in the works) for clarification:

Sew the Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover #2

1-Take the 2 smaller pieces and hem one of the 17″ (longer) edges of each.  These will be the edges that will overlap on the back of the pillow.

2- Place the piece you’ll be using for the front of the pillow on a tabletop right side up.

3- Take one of the other pieces, right side down (against the right side of your fabric on the table).  Line up the raw edges along the outside edge, with the hemmed edge toward the center of the pillow cover.

4- Line up the raw edges of the last piece, the same way as in the previous step(#3), only on the opposite edge.

5- There should be an overlap of the hemmed edges in the middle.  Pin into place and baste if necessary.

6- Stitch a 1/2″ seam going all around the outer edge of the pillow cover. 

7- Trim corners.

8- Turn right side out.

9- Stuff pillow inside.

Some Common Measurements and Fabric Yardages

For common pillow sizes, here are the cut fabric measurements:

14″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 15″ by 15″ and 15″ by 20″(cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 15″ by 10″ each).  (1/2 yard)

15″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 16″ by 16″ and 16″ by 21″(cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 16″ by 10.5″ each). (1/2 yard)

16″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 17″ by 17″ and 17″ by 22″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 17″ by 11″ each).  (1/2 yard)

17″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 18″ by 18″ and 18″ by 23″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 18″ by 11.5″ each)   (5/8 yard)

18″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 19″  by 19″ and 19″ by 24″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 19″ by 12″ each). (2/3 yard)

19″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 20″ by 20″ and 20″ by 25″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 20″ by 12.5″ each). (2/3 yard)

20″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 21″ by 21″ and 21″ by 26″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 21″ by 13″ each).  (3/4 yard)

For Different Pillow Measurements

Follow this formula if your pillow measurements don’t match those above:

The pillow is “X”  inches by “X” inches (square).

One piece of the fabric will measure:  X + 1 inch by X + 1 inch.

The next cut of fabric will measure: (X + 1 inch) by (X + 6 inches).  Take this piece and cut it so that you have 2 pieces, each measuring (X + 1 inch) by (1/2X + 3 inches).

FREE Printable “How-To” Instructions

Print

Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover Two Ways – No Zippers Required

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Additional Time

10 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

Here are 2 ways to make a quick, easy cover for a square pillow or cushion. No zippers are necessary.

Course: Home Decor

Author: Wendy Simon

Ingredients

• Fabric – I prefer machine-washable fabrics
• Thread
• Pillow

Instructions

1. Version #1 Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover
2. To determine the amount of fabric you will need, measure your pillow. Since it's a square shape, all sides should measure equally. We'll call this side measurement, "X". Cut one piece of fabric as follows: (X + 1 inch) by (X + X + 6 inches)
3. For common pillow sizes, here are the cut fabric measurements, along with estimated fabric yardages for 44″ wide fabric:
   -14″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 15″ by 34″ (1/2 yard)
   -15″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 16″ by 36″ (1/2 yard)
   -16″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 17″ by 38″ (1/2 yard)
   -17″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 18″ by 40″ (5/8 yard)
   -18″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 19″ by 42″ (2/3 yard)
   -19″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 20″ by 44″ (2/3 yard)
   -20″ square pillow – fabric piece should measure 21″ by 46″ (3/4 yard of 46″+ wide fabric, I usually find 54″ wide)
4. Narrow hem each of the shortest edges of your fabric. I would turn it under twice to give it a nice, clean finish.
   
5. Lay your fabric out, right side up, onto a tabletop.
   
6. (Easiest) Fold your fabric in half to find the center. Whatever the size of your pillow, divide one side measurement in half and mark it by drawing a line from the center out. For example, if you are making a pillow cover that is 17″, you will measure and mark 8.5″ from both sides of the center of the fabric piece.
   
7. Now fold each end along the lines you just marked, right sides together, so that the hemmed edges overlap in the middle. Pin into place. (Baste if you need the extra reinforcement)
   
8. Stitch down each of the two sides of the fabric.
   
9. Trim corners.
   
10. Turn right side out.
    
11. Stuff pillow inside.
12. Version #2 Easy DIY Square Pillow Cover
13. To determine the amount of fabric you will need, measure your pillow. Since it's a square shape, all sides should measure equally. We'll call this side measurement, "X". You will end up cutting 3 pieces in total. The first piece will measure: (X + 1 inch) by (X + 1 inch). Your second piece will measure (X + 1 inch) by (X + 6 inches). To create 3 total pieces, you will cut the larger piece in half so that each of the 2 halves measures: (X + 1 inch) by (1/2X + 3 inches).
14. For common pillow sizes, here are the cut fabric measurements:
    -14″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 15″ by 15″ and 15″ by 20″(cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 15″ by 10″ each). (1/2 yard)
    -15″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 16″ by 16″ and 16″ by 21″(cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 16″ by 10.5″ each). (1/2 yard)
    -16″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 17″ by 17″ and 17″ by 22″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 17″ by 11″ each). (1/2 yard)
    -17″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 18″ by 18″ and 18″ by 23″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 18″ by 11.5″ each) (5/8 yard)
    -18″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 19″ by 19″ and 19″ by 24″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 19″ by 12″ each). (2/3 yard)
    -19″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 20″ by 20″ and 20″ by 25″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 20″ by 12.5″ each). (2/3 yard)
    -20″ square pillow – fabric pieces should measure 21″ by 21″ and 21″ by 26″ (cut big piece in half for two pieces measuring 21″ by 13″ each). (3/4 yard)
15. Take the 2 smaller pieces and hem one of the longer (X + 1inch) edges of each. These will be the edges that will overlap on the back of the pillow.
    
16. Place the piece you’ll be using for the front of the pillow on a tabletop right side up.
    
17. Take one of the other pieces, right side down (against the right side of your fabric on the table). Line up the raw edges along the outside edge, with the hemmed edge toward the center of the pillow cover. Pin into place. Baste if necessary.
    
18. Line up the raw edges of the last piece, the same way as in the previous step(#3), only on the opposite edge.
    
19. There should be an overlap of the hemmed edges in the middle. Pin into place and baste if necessary.
    
20. Stitch a 1/2″ seam going all around the outer edge of the pillow cover.
    
21. Trim corners.
    
22. Turn right side out.
23. Stuff pillow inside.

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Let me know if you make one of these pillow covers!

I’d love to see your results!