Envelope Back Pillows with Piping or Flange

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Mid-Weight Woven to Heavy Home Decor Fabric
• About varies based on number of& size of pillows made
• 1 yd is enough for two 18" pillow covers
• Contrast Fabric (for flange or piping - amount varies)
• Sewing Machine
• Matching Thread
• Fabric Scissors
• Ruler
Basic Sewing Supplies

DIRECTIONS:

• W = Width of pillow insert
• H = Height of pillow insert
• F = Desired contrast flange width + 1"
• Piping length = (W"+ H") x 2
• For covers with a self-fabric flange, add 2x desired flange width to W and H measurements


• Determine the size of pillow insert the cover is being made for.
• The finished cover should be at least 1" smaller than the insert so that the insert fills out the cover.
• The following dimensions will result in a cover 1" smaller than the insert.
• For feather pillow forms, a 2" difference may be desirable, in which case, reduce each measurement by an additional 1".

1. CUTTING DIRECTIONS:

• Front Panel: Cut 1 rectangle/square W"x H".
• Back Panels: Cut 2 rectangles (W" minus 1/3")x H".
• Contrast Flange: Cut 4 rectangles (W" + F")x F", cut 4 rectangles (H" + F")x F".
• Piping: Cut enough contrast fabric in 1 3/4" strips on the bias to cover the length of piping cord for the pillow size, joining strips at a 90 degree angle as needed.



2. All Versions- Sew the Back Panel:

• Finish one H" length side on each rectangle by folding the edge toward the wrong side of the fabric once by 1/2" and pressing.
• Fold again by 1/2" and press.
• Stitch close to the edge to secure the folds, hemming the edge.
• Lay the two back panels right sides up on the work surface.
• Overlap the hemmed edges until the two panels together measure the same size as the front panel.
• Pin the edges where the two panels overlap.
• Sew close to the edge (1/4") to secure the overlap.



3. Piping Pillow Cover:

• Fold bias fabric strip over cording, matching raw edges wrong sides together.
• Machine baste with zipper foot next to cord.
• Match raw edges of cording and right side of pillow front around all sides.
• Stitch piping to the pillow front, clipping seam allowance of the piping as necessary to turn corners.
• The start and end of the piping can be finished two ways:
• Option 1: Overlap the ends trimming the piping inside just past the overlap and letting the ends of the bias cover taper into the seam allowance.
• Option 2: Fold back fabric on one side, trim back the cording so both ends meet, and use the folded back fabric to cover the ends.
• Turn back the raw edge of the fabric and continue sewing along the piping seam allowance to hold.
• Lay the back panel right side down on the front panel with piping so that the right sides are together and all sides line up.
• Pin around all sides.
• Sew around all four sides using 1/2" seam allowance and a zipper foot to sew close to the piping.
• Trim seam allowances back to 1/4".
• To help covers hold up better in the wash, finish the raw edges of the seam allowance with a zig zag stitch or serger.
• Turn pillow cover right side out through the overlapped panels on the back.
• Insert the pillow insert into the pillow cover.



4. Self-Fabric Flange Pillow Cover:

• Lay the back panel right side down on the front panel so that the right sides are together and all sides line up.
• Pin around all sides.
• Sew around all four sides using 1/2" seam allowance.
• For better looking corners, turn the corner with a small curve, rather than a sharp pivot.
• Trim seam allowances back to 1/4".
• Turn pillow cover right side out through the overlapped panels on the back.
• Press pillow cover flat.
• Measure the desired flange width in from all edges and mark with pins or chalk.
• The square/rectangle in the center should be 1" less than the pillow insert.
• Top stitch along the marked path.
• Insert the pillow insert into the pillow cover.



5. Contrast Flange Pillow Cover:

• The contrast flange is made by adding a mitered band of contrast fabric to both the front and back panels.
• Follow the below steps to add the mitered band to the front and back panels of the pillow cover.
• On the wrong side of the pillow panel, make a mark 1/2" in from each corner (1/2" in and 1/2" down)
• This will be the start and stop marks for the next steps.


• Center one contrast flange piece on one side of the pillow panel, right sides together.
• If the width and height of the pillow are not equal, make sure the correct contrast flange length is being used.
• The contrast flange piece will be longer than the pillow panel.
• Sew between the marked points on the wrong side of pillow panel, back stitching at each mark.
• Do not sew past the mark.
• Sew the other 3 sides using this method.
• Make sure not to sew through the marks or the other contrast flange pieces.
• Press flange pieces out.
• All four sides should now have contrast flange pieces, with the corners of the flange loose and overlapping.
• To miter the corners of the flange, overlap the flange pieces in a corner so they lay flat.
• Turn back the top edge at a 45-degree angle creating a diagonal from the corner of the pillow to the corner of the flange edges.
• Press to mark the angle needed.
• Fold the pillow in half on the diagonal of the corner being sewn.
• The 2 flange pieces being joined should line up together, and the pillow panel will bunch a little in the corner.
• Smooth and flatten the flange pieces then pin along the marked 45-degree angle.
• Sew the angle, ending at the point where the flange meets the corner of the pillow.
• Unfold the pillow and lay flat to check that the mitered corner looks correct.
• Remove stitching and adjust if needed.
• Once the mitered corner is correct, trim the seam allowance on the flange to 1/4" and press the seam open.
• Repeat on all corners of the pillow.
• Once the back and front panels have mitered contrast edge, matching front and back right sides together.
• Sew around all four sides using 1/2" seam allowance.
• For better looking corners, turn the corner with a small curve, rather than a sharp pivot.
• Trim seam allowances back to 1/4".
• Turn pillow cover right side out through the overlapped panels on the back.
• Press the pillow cover flat.
• Pin along the seam of the pillow and contrast flange.
• Top stitch in this seam on all 4 sides.
• Insert the pillow insert into the pillow cover.