An easy way to update the look of an entire room is to update the look of the throw pillows. They can add an accent color, change the theme of the room, or add texture. Instead of throwing out your old tablecloth, try out this project to repurpose it into a cover for your throw pillows.
The charming little button flap makes it like an envelope for your pillow. This also makes it easy to slip off the cover for a quick wash whenever you want to freshen up the living room. Grab a few tablecloths to create an eclectic collection of pillows for your home.
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Materials
- Tablecloth
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Scissors
- 1 button
- Fabric marker
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Serger (optional)
- Iron and ironing board
- Seam ripper
- Needle and thread
- Tablecloth
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
- Ruler
- Scissors
- 1 button
- Fabric marker
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Serger (optional)
- Iron and ironing board
- Seam ripper
- Needle and thread
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Before you start making your pillow cover, lay out your materials and make sure to measure the throw pillow you plan to cover. You can purchase a pillow insert at most large craft stores with a sewing section.
1. Before you start making your pillow cover, lay out your materials and make sure to measure the throw pillow you plan to cover. You can purchase a pillow insert at most large craft stores with a sewing section.
2. Once you have the measurements of your pillow, cut three pieces of fabric — two that are the length and width of your pillow plus 1 inch for seam allowance, and the third measuring the width of the pillow plus 1 inch and about half the length of the pillow.
3. Cut the smaller piece so it comes to a point at the end like an envelope. Many cutting mats have angled lines, and you may want to try a few different angles on a scrap piece of fabric.
4. Set your other two pieces to the side, and lay out your pointed piece. Gather your button, a ruler and a pencil. Make a note of the diameter of your button.
5. Using the point as the middle, mark about 1/2-inch from each edge then an additional 1/2 inch and mark. From there, measure 1/8 inch longer than your button and mark again. This will be where you sew your buttonhole.
6. Use your sewing machine to make the buttonhole. Many modern electric sewing machines have a setting for buttonholes and may require a particular foot on the machine. Be sure to read your machine’s instructions carefully if you are new to buttonholes.
7. Once you sew the buttonhole, pin the pointed piece to the top of one of the squares, lining up the straight edges. Sew then serge or zig-zag the pinned top edge. Set this piece to the side.
8. Serge the top edge of the other square piece.
9. Press both pieces. On the piece with the pointed end, make sure to press the seam you made if you were not able to serge them together. Press the second piece so the serged edge is turned down 1/2 inch. Then sew it down.
10. Pin the second piece of fabric to the first, matching up the bottom square edges. Pin around the three matching sides.
11. Next, sew around the three edges you pinned, leaving the opening under the envelope-style flap created by the pointed piece. Serge or zig-zag stitch around the three edges.
12. Flip your piece right-side out. Around the edges of the pointed flap, fold and pin the edge down about 1/2 inch. Sew around the pinned edge.
13. If necessary, use a seam ripper to open up your buttonhole. Fold over your pointed piece, and use a pencil to mark where your button will be on the under piece.
14. Using a needle and thread, sew your button to your cover where you marked. Put your pillow insert in the middle opening, and close it up with your envelope-style flap.
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