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2 square cushions covered in green and white gingham checked fabric
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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, Sewing
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.