Hello everyone ! I know what you are thinking, envelope cushion cover, what on earth is that, why do we need it in our life, should we even care what you have to teach us?
Numero uno… Yes you care about what I have to say and (numero whatever comes next) just stop questioning and do, thank me later when you are productive as hell and winning at the creative lockdown life !
So, I wanted to create some free content, mainly because I wouldn’t have learnt everything I know so far without it, but also because its Lockdown 2020 and we all need something creative to keep up going. (that’s the last time I mention lockdown)
This design is super easy to make, it’s so easy it’s something you can do in an hour or with the little, middle and big ones in your life.
There is tones of ways you can differentiate this activity to suit you and your family
- Let them choose the fabric
- Decorate the fabric together
- Let them have their first go on the sewing machine
- Make it for their room
- Make it together as a gift for someone, plus lots more
Or if you’re a thirty something adult like me and just want an excuse to be creative, get back on your sewing machine and have Gossip Girl in the background for the 23 hundredth time that’s cool too …. Like really super cool and you have totally got your life together.
What do you need?
You definitely don’t need to be down a fabric shop or online searching for fabric, I’m sure you have something in your house that will do the job just fine …
You can use anything from a pillow case, to old sheets, a large old t-shirt, old curtains, fabric is fabric – the more cotton percentage it is the better because sewing anything stretchy or full of sequins is intense and we don’t need that right now.
- Fabric
- Fabric scissors – read my earlier post why kitchen ones may cause injury
- Ruler
- Tape measure
- Pencil for marking
- Matching thread – white works great otherwise
- Sewing pins
- Iron and ironing surface
- And a sewing machine
Step 1: Wash your fabric
It needs to be clean, and washing also helps new fabric lose its shrink ability – nothing worse than a washed cushion cover shrinking after its been sewn.
Give it a good fresh steam and iron out any creases.
Step 2: How to measure for the cushion cover
I buy my uncovered cushions in Dunelm or ikea – the one I have is 18 inch squared and it will usually tell you the size on the label.
If it doesn’t, measure seam to seam, height and length like pictured below.
- Measure your pillow and add one extra inch to each of the measurements
In this tutorial my pillow is 18” by 18” so once I’ve added the extra inch its now 19” by 19”
We'll be cutting out three pieces of fabric all together, one for the front and two for the back. Many other tutorials just have you cut one long piece, but I believe the extra seams make for a better fitting pillow.
Step 3: Measure and cut
- Front: measure one piece of fabric that is your measurements, the length+1inch and the height+1inch (as stated above)
- Back: to make the envelope we need to cut two pieces, this will need to be your Height +3 inches and the same Length +1.inch.
flip the fabric over so it's wrong side up
use your ruler and pencil to mark out the panels - this way you'll know things are square
use a rotary blade (or scissors if that's all you've got!) to cut the panels out
Step 4: Hemming the back panels
The back panels are what form the envelope section of the cover.
Lay the fabric wrong side up on your ironing board.
Go to the outside edge of one of the smaller panels and fold over 1/4 inch of the fabric. Press this down with your iron.
Now fold again by another 1/4 inch and press again.
Now you'll sew this hem down about an 1/8 inch from the inside edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitches!
Step 5: Sewing them together
Now it’s time to assemble it all together.
We'll be using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Take your front panel and lay it flat right side up.
Then, take one of the back panels and place it wrong side up at the edge of the main panel. (always remember right sides together.)
Once your edges are aligned, pin it to the main panel.
Now lay the second back panel down and pin it in place too. – the two back panels will overlap in the middle, make sure to pin across there too as this is your envelope opening and you don’t want it moving around mid-sewing.
Take your fabric to the machine and Get sewing – a straight sewing stich is all you will need. Sew all around every edge, backstitching at the beginning and the end.
Step 6: Ironing and cutting
Once the cover is all sewn up, iron it well while it's still wrong side out.
Now you'll want to trim the corners! This will give you nice sharp corners when you turn the cushion cover right side out.
Now flip the cover right side out. Use a crochet hook, knitting needle or other pointed object to poke out the corners as well as you can.
Step 7: insert your cushion
And voila ! You have an envelope Cushion cover.
Once you understand the measuring and have the fabric cut to size can you see how easy it is?
Tag me in photos over on my Instagram account @cwilt_ I can’t wait to see what you make !!
Comments