Home | Leisure | Crafts & Hobbies | Make Pillow Covers | Directions to Make a Cover for a Square Pillow

Directions to Make a Cover for a Square Pillow

by Caroline Fritz

  • Overview

    There are two types of square pillows: knife edge and box edge. The edges of the knife-edge pillow meet in a point, while the sides of the box-edge pillow resemble the shape of the box with extra material needed to cover the sides. Depending on your design goals, either pillow shape can accommodate a cover, although the knife-edge pillow allows for more embellishment such as tassels on the corners.

  • The Basics

    Consider laundering requirements when choosing fabric. Some specialty fabric requires dry cleaning, which can be expensive. Use thread that matches the dominant color in the fabric. When sewing, use pins to keep fabric together. Change the needle on the sewing machine after every project. Press all seams open with an iron.
 

  • Knife-Edge Pillows

    Decide what type of closure to use for the pillow. The choices are zippers, buttons, snaps and Velcro. Measure the length and width of the pillow, adding 1 inch to both measurements for the seam allowance and adding an additional inch on one side for the closure. Cut two pieces of the fabric using the measurements and, with right sides together, stitch three sides using a half-inch seam allowance, using pins to keep the fabric together if necessary. Press the seams open with an iron. On the fourth side, attach the zipper, buttons, snaps or Velcro to the extra 2 inches of fabric. Turn the fabric right side out and insert the pillow.

  • Box-Edge Pillows

    Decide on a closure. Zippers are usually inserted on one side of the boxing strip, but you can use snaps or buttons. Measure the length, width and height of the pillow, adding 1 inch for the seam allowance on all pieces, including the width pieces of the boxing strips. Cut two pieces of fabric for the front and back and three pieces for the boxing strip, using the measurements. For the strip that will hold the closure, use the boxing strip measurement and cut the piece out, then cut it lengthwise. With right sides together, insert the zipper or other closure on the boxing strip that was cut in two pieces at the center seam. With right sides together, pin the boxing strips and sew, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Pin the boxing strips, right sides together, to the top piece and, using the pillow as a guide, check that the cover fits. Sew the seams, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Pin the bottom piece to the boxing strips, right sides together, and sew, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
    • Anywhere

    References & Resources

    • Home Décor Sewing 101; Creative Publishing International; 2004
    • Vogue Sewing for the Home; Peggy Bendel; 1986
       
       
     
     

    Popular Topics