Make the Pillow Back
I don't like to fool with zippers unless it's absolutely necessary. This simple thow pillow cover lets me avoid them. The cover has an opening in its back that makes it easy to remove the pillow form when the cover needs to be washed.
- Cut a pillow backing the same height as your pillow front, but 6 inches longer. For instance, after sewing the blocks together, my pillow front measured 18-1/2" square, so I cut an 18-1/2" x 24-1/2" backing rectangle.
- Fold the backing fabric in half, matching its short edges. Finger crease along the folded edge. Cut the fabric in half along the crease.
- Insert a straight pin into each side of the fabric along the edge you just cut to help you remember which sides to turn under in the next step.
- Remove a straight pin from one segment and turn under the cut edge by 1/2". Press, and then turn under again by 1/2". Press. Using matching thread, machine stitch a seam close to the first folded edge.
- Repeat, folding under and stitching the edge of the second backing piece.
Assemble the Pillow Cover
- Place the pillow front right-side-up on your work surface.
- Place one section of the backing fabric right-side-down on top of the pillow front, raw edges aligned on one side, on the top and along the bottom. The seamed hem should flow vertically down the front of the pillow.
- Align the remaining pillow back segment along the other side of the pillow. Its seamed hem will flow vertically down the pillow as shown below.
- Sew a seam along each side of the pillow using the seam allowance chosen earlier.
