Guest DIY post submitted by
Ashley of Ashley’s Busy
I can pretty much only sew square pillows. But hey — that’s something. I bought my sewing machine years ago with big plans, and after about five years of ownership I still mostly make square pillows. It sounds funny, but that simple skill is great for quick, affordable updates around the house.
On a tight budget like many of us, I decided to raid the attic bins set aside for a future yard sale. I found a stack of men’s shirts — Big D’s shirts, to be exact — and one of them had a fabric I liked enough to rescue from the sale pile. It seemed perfect for a pillow cover.
I started by removing the pillowcase from the pillow I wanted to cover. The pillow I used is one of my favorites from Target: I love the blue color and the feather insert, but it was time for a change. Lay the pillowcase flat on top of the shirt with the shirt turned inside out. Cut around the pillowcase, leaving about a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Make sure you cut through both layers of the shirt so you get a complete pillow-shaped piece.
Once the fabric is cut, sew all the way around the square, leaving no gaps. It’s just one big square seam — if I can do it, you can too. Turn the sewn cover right side out, unbutton the shirt opening, insert the pillow, and button it closed. That’s all there is to it.
If you want to add a personal touch, use any leftover shirt fabric to cut shapes and sew them onto the pillow as appliqués. You can keep it simple or embellish it further with hand embroidery. I embroidered an appliqué for mine — I may not be able to whistle, but I can embroider a mean appliqué.
All finished.
Did you just get a sewing lesson from me? I warned you — I only sew square pillows! But these easy, thrifty covers are a great way to refresh a room with minimal skill and cost.