After sewing a stuffed goose for my daughter, I couldn’t believe how simple this project felt. The goose challenged me in all the best ways, but once I finished it, making these envelope pillow covers felt so easy. If you’re just getting started with sewing, this is a great confidence-building project that you can finish in an afternoon.

I made these outdoor pillow covers for my porch, and I love that they’re removable for washing or changing with the seasons. Best of all, there’s no zipper, no buttons, and no hand sewing—just a few straight seams.

Supplies

• Outdoor or home décor fabric
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Pins or sewing clips
• 20” × 20” pillow insert

Fabric Measurements

For one 20” × 20” pillow cover, cut one rectangle:

• 20 inches wide
• 45 inches long

The extra length creates the envelope opening on the back of the pillow.

Step 1: Hem the Short Ends

Lay your fabric with the short ends at the top and bottom.

On one short end, fold the fabric over about 1 inch and press it with an iron. Next, tuck the raw edge inside and fold it over again to create a clean finished hem that’s approximately 1½ inches wide. Press once more to help everything stay in place.

Repeat on the opposite short end.

Sew a straight stitch close to the folded edge on both hems.

Taking a few extra minutes to press each fold makes the finished pillow cover look much more polished.

Step 2: Create the Envelope

Lay the fabric right side up.

Fold both hemmed ends toward the center so they overlap slightly. The right sides of the fabric should now be facing each other inside the folded piece.

Adjust the overlap until the folded fabric measures approximately 20 inches by 20 inches.

Clip or pin the sides in place.

Step 3: Sew the Side Seams

Using your preferred seam allowance (I used a 1/4-inch seam allowance), sew down both open sides.

Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam for extra strength.

Trim any loose threads.

Step 4: Turn It Right Side Out

Reach through the envelope opening and carefully turn the pillow cover right side out.

Use your fingers or a blunt turning tool to gently push each corner out so the pillow has nice, crisp corners.

Step 5: Insert the Pillow

Fold the pillow insert slightly and slide it through the envelope opening.

Fluff the insert and adjust each corner until the cover fits nicely.

That’s it! Your envelope pillow cover is finished.

Tips for Beginners

• Pressing each fold with an iron makes sewing much easier.
• Outdoor fabric is a great choice for porch pillows because it holds up well to everyday use.
• If you’re making pillows for inside your home, quilting cotton, canvas, or lightweight upholstery fabric all work well too.
• This same method works for other pillow sizes—just adjust your fabric measurements to match your pillow insert while allowing extra length for the envelope overlap.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never sewn a pillow cover before, don’t be intimidated. After finishing a much more complicated stuffed goose for my daughter, this project felt incredibly simple and satisfying. It’s a great way to practice sewing straight seams while creating something you’ll actually use every day.

These pillow covers instantly gave my porch a fresh look, and I already have a list of fabrics I’d love to use for future seasons. If you’re looking for an easy weekend sewing project, I highly recommend giving this one a try.