How to Sew a Pillow Insert with Drop Cloth
Learn how to make a pillow insert out of drop cloth with this video tutorial. Use custom dimensions to create a pillow insert for any size cover.
Servings 1
Cost $5
Equipment
- Sewing machine
Ingredients
- drop cloth
- pillow stuffing
Instructions
- First, measure the size of your finished pillow cover. Next, add one inch to the width and one inch to the length. This will allow for a 1/2″ seam allowance on all four sides when you go to sew your front and back pieces together. If you want the pillow insert to be slightly longer so that it peeks out the other side, as shown in the IKEA tea towel pillow cover tutorial, you can add an extra 1/2″ to 1″ to the length measurement.
- Simply cut out two pieces of fabric in the dimensions you came up with. (Length and width of the pillow cover plus one inch on the length and width.)
- In the video I made a pillow insert for a 26.5″ by 14.5″ vintage concrete sack. I cut my bleached drop cloth pieces to 28″ by 15.5″ to allow for a peek-a-boo pillow insert. Sew the two pieces together with a 1/2″ seam all the way around, except one 3″ spot. This will be where you add the stuffing. I like to leave the spot on one of the short ends. If you put it on a corner, it will be harder to close up and cold look messy.
- Turn it right out, making sure to poke out all the corners with your fingers. Add stuffing until it is full enough for your liking. Add a little topstitch to close up the 3″ spot that you left open.
Video
Notes
WHAT IS A TOPSTITCH
- A topstitch is a stitch that is sewn close to the original seam. It is on top of the garment, or project, and visible when it is complete. Its purpose is to make a seam lay flat. In this case the purpose is to close up the hole that was left open for the stuffing. When putting your insert into your new pillow cover, hide the 3″ spot you left open, since it will look a little messy, by putting that end first into your pillow cover. The nicely sewn edge should be the one peeking out.