THIS FARMHOUSE PILLOW COVER TUTORIAL | PART TWO WILL HELP YOU SEW A DARLING TOP CASE THAT CAN QUICKLY AND EASILY BE CHANGED WITH THE SEASONS.
This little pillow top case will put the crowning touch on all your pillows. And with spring right around the corner this is the perfect project to put a touch of spring into your home.
If you missed Part 1 of this series where I made the inside ticking stripe pillow cover, be sure to catch up here.
I made this outside farmhouse pillow cover case with a some humble drop cloth and a few wool felt scraps in a heart shape. I will keep it out until spring weather hits. (This may be a while as we still have almost a foot of snow on the ground as I write this.) So, when the snow melts, I will switch it out for a spring cover.
And the best part… when this season is over I only have to store that little fabric pillow cover until I want to use it again next winter. The inside pillow will stay out on display, either as is or with another little pillow case that I sew up for spring!
I just love these little pillow cases and I think I’m going to want them for every season! Now I have ideas for summer and autumn are already swirling in my head.
Farmhouse pillow cover tutorial video
Simple farmhouse pillow cover tutorial
- Cut two pieces of drop cloth 16.5″x18.5″
- Lay two pieces together right sides facing.
- Pin and sew on three sides, leaving one long 18″ side open.
- Then zigzag stitch or surge around those same three sides catching top and bottom fabric in stitching together. Clip inside corners close to seam.
- Zigzag stitch or surge around entire raw edge. Turn the edge under 1/4″ and top-stitch down to make a finished edge.
- For tie: Cut two pieces of drop cloth 1″x19″ long. Fold in half and zigzag stitch along both ends and long edge.
- Place one end of each tie even with the seam allowance at the middle of the pillow. Top-stitch over tie multiple times along original top-stitch line to hold it in place.
- Turn pillow right side out, slip over ticking stripe pillow so that the ticking stripes are running horizontal and the overlap will be hidden inside drop cloth pillow case. Tie the ties in a bow and you are done!
Seasonal ideas for the farmhouse pillow cover
I sewed a wool felt applique on drop cloth for this pillow case. But it would be so easy to make it with a variety of fabrics. For instance… feed sack table runner, French linen, plaids or buffalo checks. Even a piece of quilted fabric, or a vintage pillow case or antique feed sack would be fun.
If you don’t have feed sack cloth or French linen you could imitate that look with paint. Or you could embroider or applique a simple design on your fabric to give it a spring detail. So be creative and let your imagination run. I’m sure you will think of some ideas to make for spring.
Tools and Supplies used to make my farmhouse pillow cover
Pillow supplies needed:
- 3/4 yard Ticking fabric – this one is by Magnolia Home and is similar to the one I used
- 20″x20″ down alternative pillow. I usually purchase a pillow form one size bigger than my pillow cover to make sure it fills it well. These down alternative pillows have just the right loft and fill to sit nicely on your furniture with the top “chop” look.
- Drop Cloth (this is my favorite size and brand) or 3/4 yard fabric
Sewing Supplies I used for this project:
I rarely use scissors to cut out straight edge patterns like this. It is so quick, accurate and easy to use my rotary cutter, 6 1/2″x24″ ruler and large 24″x36″ mat that I can’t think of doing it any other way. I use the cutter to the left. The one to the right is a newer version of the cutter and has a quick change blade feature.
These Endurance blades really do last! I wear the thread snips on a lanyard around my neck whenever I machine or hand sew; the lid keeps them safe from little children. And glass head pins that don’t met under my iron and this magnetic pin cushion are some of the most used items in my sewing room.
Bernina Virtuosa 155 Quilter’s Edition sewing machine – I got mine many years ago and just love it for piecing and free motion quilting my projects. If you want a solid hardworking sewing machine that will last you a lifetime than search out Bernina or look for a used one.
If you are a new sewer and in the market for a starter machine, my friend Lisa from the blog Farmhouse on Boone uses and recommends this simple sewing machine and serger below for lightweight sewing projects. I began with a sewing machine similar to this 35 years ago and have since moved up.
Other Sewing supplies I rely on for many sewing & quilting projects:
8″ Gingher scissors, 6″x6″ ruler and 6″x12″ ruler
Please share your thoughts…and pics
If you made a pillow…or 2… or 20… be sure to share pics and comments with me below. I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
And if you have anything else you would be interested in or a topic you want me to address just let me know. I want this to be a place of blessing to you all and to help you on your homemaking journey in your home!
Thanks for joining me today.
If you enjoyed this tutorial please take a moment to pin my graphic below from my Pinterest page so your friends can see it too!
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Jenn says
Another great tutorial! Thanks Julie!
Julie Michener says
Thank you…and for stopping by again!