Fall Pillows

A super fast and easy way to change the look of your room from season to season is to create new slip covers for your accent pillows. The possibilities for pillow covers are truly are endless;  I am showing you just one way to make slip covers, but let your creative side out and have fun with this one!

First pick your fabric for the pillow, if you like (or need) to wash the covers often,  just  make sure the fabric you choose is durable and able to be washed often.  I used 2 yards of fabric for the 3 pillows.  I made my 18″, because that is the size pillow foams (the inside stuffing) that looks best in my room.  You might like a different size, in the stores (like Jo Ann) they will carry a range of sizes and shapes.

Start by cutting – since my pillow is going to be a finished 18″, I cut a 19″ square (times 3 for 3 pillows) and for the back cut 12″ by 19″ (times 3) and 10″ by 19″ (times 3).

When creating any design or embellishment details on a pillow, you want to do that before sewing the pillow together, so let’s start with the fun fall designs. I embellished these fall pillows with felt and DMC thread (cross stitching).

Begin by making your design.  I wanted a tree, and tree branch and a flower.  Since my design was going to be large, I used newspaper to draw out my shapes.

Lay out your cut out felt shapes on the top of your 19″ fabric square (top of pillow).  Pin pieces in place.

With matching thread I did a quick stitch around the branch.  Then add the leaves, stitching down the center of each leaf.

Now for the slip pillow with the flower (I always need a flower somewhere ).

Cut a quick flower shape – about 3″. You will need 7 and a 2″ circle for the flower base.

Take each flower shape and fold in half and fold again, pin to hold.  Do this to all 7.

Keep the pin in and cut the tip off.  With needle and thread, stitch along bottom (where you just cut).

Place 4 of the flower petals on felt circle and sew (because I’m putting the flower on a pillow sewing on gluing is best).

Sew on the other 3 petals.  For the center, cut a piece about 1/2″ by 2 1/2″.  Roll long ways and stitch in center.

For the flower buds, I made 3 petals ( cutting the flower shape, folding and folding).  This time I did not cut bottom.  I used a half circle, and wrapped the base of flower and sewed in place.

For the smaller bud I used one petal.  Play around and find what you like.

Sew your flower and buds to the pillow top.  I finished by adding leaves and a stem.

To make the stems with a quick stitch, I used straight pin to mark out my stem shape.  Make it so much easier, just stitch along the pins.

 

Now, it’s time to make the slipcovers! Cut a strip (one for each pillow you’re making); I made mine 2″ and 6″.  Fold over the 2″ side and sew down the 6″ side.

Clip the fabric to make it easier for turning. Use a safety pen to pull through.  You have the loop for the back.

Sew  back piece 12″X 19″  down one side of the 19″ side.  You will fold over raw edge and sew and fold that over and sew again (on raw edge).

Take the 10″ by 19″ back piece and fold over raw edge 19″ side one time.  Fold in half, marking the center (the side that you just sewed). Place your loop on the center mark, turn and sew back edge that was just sewn.

Are you with me so far?  We are almost there! Now, think backwards – lay your piece with the loop down first, then the other back piece (they will overlap).  You have a 19″ square and you want to pin all around your pillow to hold all pieces in place.  Start sewing your pillow together( I used a 5/8 seam).  You need to clip around all sides, and I like to cut off each corner (see pic).

You made a slip cover pillow.  Turn your pillow right side out.  Mark where your button goes ( this will hold the pillow together).  Sew your button on.  Done!  Much easier than a zipper (and the back even looks great too).

These simple designs are quick and easy, let your creative side out and have fun designing you own custom slip cover pillows!

 

I’m sharing this tutorial with Happy Hour, Patches of Pink, RoCa & Company, & Kissed by a Frog.