How to Make Removable Throw Pillow Covers in Under 10 Minutes

Have throw pillows that no longer match your style? Or do you like to change the look of a room with seasonal colors and textures?

If you’re like me you don’t have space for storing a bunch of pillows. And we know even those vacuum storage bags become heavy and cumbersome for storing extra pillow.

This quick and easy DIY idea allows you to reuse existing throw pillows (and throw pillow inserts) with secure, removable, washable throw pillow covers that withstand everyday tossing and use. 

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Both throw pillow covers and (bedding) pillow shams use this "one-seam" method for creating unique, one-of-a-kind covers. No sewing machine? No worries! This post will also walk through instructions with and without the use of a sewing machine. 

​So let's get started.

Estimated Time to Complete

Once you have the items needed (which we’ll get to in a moment), this design solution takes less than 10 minute using a sewing machine for the single seam. For hand-stitching, figure closer to 15 minutes

Level of Difficulty

Easy

Estimated Cost

Free if you already have the items needed. Otherwise, body pillow cover ($10-20 each); matching thread (varies).

Items Needed

• Body pillow cover with zipper (20” x 54”). Best if cover has a texture like a soft textured… sherpa or shaggy faux fur (fuzzy) or faux “long hair”, plush fuzzy.​

• Throw pillow insert (20” x 20”)... or pillow for bedding for creating a pillow sham
• Ruler
• Scissors (preferably for fabric)
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine or easy-thread sewing needles
• Optional liquid seam sealant (like Fray Check)

Consider additional items such as ​Fray Check (liquid seam sealant) and easy-thread sewing needles (as well as pillow (inserts)) as a small yet valuable investment in materials you'll use for this and future DIY projects.   

Instructions

Once you have the items needed:

• Turn pillow cover inside out
• Lay pillow atop pillow cover aligning zipper with pillow width edge
• Mark cutting line 2 - 2.5 inches longer than length of pillow. For fluffier or thicker pillows, mark at 3 - 3.25 inches 
• Cut on marked (cutting) line
• Note: Cut line is based on an allowance of a 1-inch sewing seem
• Pin raw (cut) edge... while cover is still inside out

If using sewing machine

• Sew along raw edge allowing 1-inch seam
• Optional: Apply Fray Check to raw edges and let dry. (Psst... I skip this step if fabric doesn't fray easily.)
• Turn right-side out

If sewing by hand
​After cutting...

• Turn pillow cover right-side out
• Zip zipper
• Fold 1-inch seam on each side of cover inward
• Pin together (with no exposed raw edges)
• Sew using an invisible stitch (also known a ladder or hiding stitch)  

• ​Insert pillow and zip closed

Textured covers like sherpa or shaggy faux fur (fuzzy) or faux “long hair”, plush fuzzy hide the stitching within the texture itself.

And enjoy!

Save the unused portion of the body pillow cover to hand-sew as mentioned earlier to create a matching smaller pillow.

If you like this post, then check out my no-sew, removable, washable chair cushion and other easy under-an-hour easy accessory ideas.

​In the meantime, put the fun back into functional stylish living... in under an hour!

Having Trouble Getting Started?

I used to feel the same way too. After all, who wants to put time into a project that may not work in their specific home? That's why I created this Quick DIY Check Prep (List) for getting you started on those projects that actually enhance your home. I use this when starting any home DIY endeavor... big or small. 

​Knowing the "whys" of your home projects not only helps you with the "hows" but keeps you focused on the DIY endeavors that will matter for you... saving you time and money.