How to Make a Cushion Cover

Last Updated: October 28, 2022

Looking to spruce up your room with a splash of color? Making new cushion covers is a really great and easy way to change up the look of any room. In addition, you can give new life to an old cushion or pillow, instead of having to buy a new one. While it may seem like a daunting project, the biggest requirements of making a new cushion cover are a bit of your time and some basic sewing skills.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making an Envelope Cushion Cover

1
Purchase fabric for your cushion cover. Pick one that is pretty thick and durable, like an upholstery fabric. Cushions can take a lot of physical abuse, so making a cushion out of delicate fabric might look good at first but it will not last very long.
- The amount of fabric you buy will depend on the size cushion you are making. Measure your cushion insert (or decide on a size of insert if you do not have one already). You will need 2 1/2 times the length of the cushion insert, as the fabric will be covering both sides of the cushion with a little overlap. Your fabric should also be a few inches wider than the width of the cushion insert, as you will need a bit extra for seam allowance.^{[1]
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2
Wash your fabric if it is made of a natural fiber like cotton. When you get your fabric home, be sure to wash the fabric in a hot cycle before making your cushion cover. This will shrink the fabric, assuring that it will not shrink any further if you wash it after the cushion cover is made.^{[2]
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3
Iron the fabric. Get is nice and smooth, as it will probably be quite wrinkled after it was washed and dried. Be sure to use the appropriate heat setting on your iron for the fabric you are using.
4
Cut your fabric to size. To make sure that you cut your lines straight, use a straight edge to mark your lines before cutting them. The length of your fabric should measure 2 1/2 times the length of the cushion insert. The width of your fabric should measure the width of your cushion plus two inches. The extra two inches will give you enough extra fabric for seam allowance and the fluff of your insert.
- If your insert is very fluffy you may need to add a few more inches to the width. If you are unsure of what width you should cut, put your insert on top of the fabric. Make sure the width of the fabric will fit up to the center of the sides of the insert plus a few inches for seam allowance.
- Your piece of fabric should end up being shaped like a long rectangle, with two long edges and two short edges.
5
Sew both short ends of the fabric. Place your fabric on a table with the wrong side facing up and one of the short edges closest to you. Fold the short edge closest to you up a half inch and then fold it over once again. This will make the raw edge of your fabric concealed. Pin and then sew along the inside of the folded edge.
- Repeat this on the other short end of your fabric.
6
Sew the long sides of your cushion cover. Place the fabric on a table with the right side facing up and one of the shorter edges closest to you. Fold the bottom of the fabric up 3/4 of the height of your cushion insert. Then fold the top of the fabric down, also 3/4 of the height of the cushion insert. This will make the ends overlap and the total height should be equal to the height of your cushion.
- Once you hold the fabric you should have the wrong side facing out.
- Pin along these two edges, through both layers, and sew along the seam.
7
Turn your cushion cover right-side out. To push the corners fully right-side out you may need to stick your fingers or a chopstick inside the cushion cover once it is turned right-side out.^{[3]
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8
Insert your cushion into your new cushion cover. You will need to squeeze it inside between the overlapping flaps on the back of the cover. Work it into place, putting your hands inside if need be to get the corners positioned correctly.
- Iron your cushion cover before putting in the cushion if it has become wrinkled.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Cushion Cover Out of an Old T-shirt

1
Find an old t-shirt that your really love but can't wear anymore. Instead of throwing it away, make it into a cushion cover that you can enjoy every day.
2
Cut the t-shirt. Lay the t-shirt out flat and then carefully make a cut from the armpits up to the top of the sleeve, following the line of the side of the shirt up to the top. Then make a cut across the top of the shirt, from the top of one sleeve, across the neck, to the top of the other sleeve.
- Discard the arms and neck area you cut off. The piece of the t-shirt you keep will be shaped like a rectangle.
3
Turn the t-shirt inside out and then sew a seam on three sides of it, the top and two sides. Be sure that the space between the two side seams is the same width as your cushion.
4
Turn your shirt right-side out and then stick your cushion inside of the stomach area of the t-shirt.
- If you prefer, you can stuff your t-shirt cushion cover with cotton wool, wool, or thin sheets of cotton, instead of a pre-made cushion.
5
Fold the bottom edge of the t-shirt fabric up and to the inside of the cushion. The goal here is to adjust the length of the t-shirt so that it is just long enough to cover up the bottom edge of the cushion.
- Pin the bottom edge of the front and back of the t-shirt together. This will form the bottom seam of the cushion cover.
6
Sew up the bottom edge of your pillow. Use a whipstitch or slip stitch to close up the seam.
- You can use your sewing machine to sew the seam as close to the bottom edge as possible, but it could make a slightly awkward edge if you are not experienced at sewing.
7
Decorate your cushion! You can be as creative as you like. Sew buttons, beads, or little threads of yarn to the top. As long as you like it, it is perfect.
- Another decoration idea for the more patient or experienced sewer is to embroider a small picture onto the front. This will make a nice centerpiece on your cushion cover.

Warnings

Be careful not to stab yourself with the needle or pins you are using. It's best to keep all your tools organized throughout your project so that accidents like that don't happen.

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