Easy DIY Dropcloth Pillow Cover

I have to confess….one of my favorite things to make are pillow covers.  When I can find the time to sit at my sewing machine in my studio, it’s a great day for me. Whether there’s a soft breeze blowing in my windows or the rain is falling just outside, I find it very peaceful sitting at my machines and creating something fun. And as and of you know, I also love my Silhouette cutting machine so when I can find projects that allow me to do both, it’s a double win for me (and for you!) 

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I love to change my decor every season and switching out pillow covers is an easy way to freshen up a room! However, this can get expensive, and I’m all about saving pennies. When it comes to fabric for my pillows, most of the time I use a painter’s dropcloth. This allows me to add any design I want and still keep the cost down! 

So today I thought it would be fun to show you how to make an Easy DIY Dropcloth Pillow Cover. And tutorials are a lot more fun when they come with a free cut file, so what do you say I include that as well?!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Painter’s Dropcloth – these can be purchased at Walmart, any home improvement store, hardware store or you can find one here.
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter and ruler.
• Free SVG Baby It’s Cold Outside cut file. (This file will download immediately and is for personal  use only.)
• Heat Transfer Vinyl – I get all of my vinyl from My Vinyl Direct.  I love their prices, fast shipping, and incredible customer service!
• Presser feet: standard foot, invisible zipper foot, zipper foot, and overlock foot.  Some of these will come with your sewing machine.  
• Invisible Zipper – I prefer the “make a zipper” kit, but you can use any invisible zipper.
• Matching thread
• Corner turning tool – see #8 below
• Pillow Form

LET’S MAKE OUR PILLOW

1. Cut your dropcloth for the size of your pillow form.  
   

   (Important Tip: If you’re making a 14 x 14 pillow and wanting a “slouchy look,” then cut 14.25 x 14.25 or 14.5 x 14.5 – your choice.  If you like a “fuller look” to your pillow, then cut 14 x 14.)

2. Download, cut, and apply your design to the dropcloth using your favorite cutting machine – if you need help, head to this post.  (I apply a design to both sides of the pillow so that all I have to do is flip the pillow over to get a different look.)
   
3. The dropcloth material will fray easily, so to prevent this from happening, run an overlock stitch across the bottom of the each panel. The picture below shows #7 as my overlock stitch. (Don’t worry about stitching the top and sides just yet. We’ll take care of that later.)
4. Add your invisible zipper. If this is your first time adding an invisible zipper, don’t fear.  It can be a little intimidating at first, but I promise that once you do it a couple times, you’ll find that it’s extremely easy and it looks absolutely gorgeous! My favorite invisible zipper tutorial is from Made to Sew which can also be found on YouTube. It’s a lengthy video but stick with it. She walks you through every step.
5. Now that your zipper is in, put right sides together and sew up the sides with a 1/2″ seam. You can pin your right sides together or if you’re like me and don’t like to use pins, use an Elmer’s Glue Stick. (I like the purple which dries clear.) Once you’ve run your glue down the seam allowance, take it to the iron and press. This actually creates a temporary “bond” so you don’t have to use pins. (Important Tip: I mark a 1/2″ seam allowance with a disappearing marker so that when I sew, I can sew on the lines easily.  Also, don’t forget to leave the zipper open.  Once you’ve sewn up the sides, you’ll need to be able to turn the pillow right side out.)
   

   

6. Turn your pillow right side out and check to make sure the seams look good. If you’re satisfied with it, turn it back to wrong sides out and clip the corners making sure not to cut into your stitches.
7. Sew an overlook stitch around the sides and top of your pillow to help prevent fraying.
8. Flip your pillow and push out the corners.  (Important Tip: You can purchase a “corner” tool or use my favorite, a chopstick to help push out those corners.)
9. Insert your pillow form and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

There are several steps with this tutorial, but truthfully, it’s a very easy DIY project. 

For some of these pillows, I used a Print and Cut File. If you aren’t familiar with how to do that, you can find help with this post.

These pillows make a great wedding and shower gift. You can make an entire set with a holiday on one side of the pillow and a season on the other. Or put together a set as a Christmas or birthday gift for someone! They’ll be the favorite gift for years to come!

Be sure to share your finished pillows! Post a picture to my Facebook page or tag me on social media with #footprintsofinspiration.

Thanks for joining me with this Easy DIY Dropcloth Pillow Cover tutorial. Don’t miss out on a single post. Sign up for my newsletter below and have them delivered right to your inbox.

Until next time, my friend….

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