EASIEST Way to Make Throw Pillows

— From a Table Runner!

The easiest way to make throw pillow covers or accent pillows has to be when they are already cut and two or three of the sides are already finished for you. What more can we ask?

Well, we can ask for a bargain, too.

Crazy Bargain Alert:

B1 G1?  2 For 1? Ha! I scoff at these.

How about 4 for 1, actually 4 from 1?

AND the one I paid for was 80% off!!!

So you know how Hobby Lobby clears out the remainder of their seasonal goods at 80% and sometimes even 90% off? If you happen to drop in at the right time, BINGO! 

Last Summer I dropped in as they were closing out the Spring residue and I scored this cabana stripe table runner for $5!!!

“Big deal,” you say.

“Where’s the four?” you ask.

Right here: That ONE runner became these FOUR “darn-near-no-sew” throw pillow covers.

Aren’t they great?

Here’s How You Can Make Four Throw Pillow Covers From a Table Runner:

You will need:

• A Two-sided Table Runner – and the two layers are NOT fused together
• Lumbar Pillow Forms or Fillers
• Your Choice of:

1. Invisible zippers, sewing machine
2. Buttons, ribbon and sewing machine
3. Needle and thread — no machine

STEP 1) Measure & Measure Again, Then Cut

Do NOT believe what the packaging tells you. My runner actually measured 13 X 94-inches, not the 14 x 96-inches the packaging said.

1-inch, isn’t a big deal, right?

Oh, but it is. I try to always use down and feather fillers or a similar synthetic version. And I usually always fill a 20 X 20-inch cover with a 22 x 22-inch filler or an 18 x  18-inch cover with a 20 x 20-inch filler.

I like my pillows plump. I had planned on using four of IKEA’s amazing Fjadrar 16 X 26 fillers/inserts. I was able to squeeze them in for a very “supportive pillow”, but they took a bit more material to cover, so my other two covers are a bit shorter in length. I used two 14 X 20 feather and down fillers from JoAnn’s. and modified the style to close with a button flap.

I like this variety of two styles actually much better. Serendipity!

               Side note: Isn’t “Serendipity” the happiest sounding word? Even fun to say.

I started by cutting my runner down the center.

Then each half I cut into two pieces: one 22 1/2-inches long and the other 24 1/2-inches.

STEP 2) Finish the Open Edges of Your Pillows

Option 1) With Invisible Zipper Foot

Invisible zippers are the absolute easiest and quickest zippers to put in a pillow.

Usually, you would stitch the zipper along the edge of the front and the back of the pillow and then stitch the remaining sides closed. So this is just a tad bit more awkward, but still quite simple to do. You just need an invisible zipper longer than your opening.

Here is a video showing you how I put the invisible zipper in WITHOUT an invisible zipper foot. Yes, the zipper foot makes it a bit easier for a novice sewer, but it is not a must have item.

Option 2) Button Flap Closing

I made my button closed pillows from the two end sections so they have three sides already done.

I serged the raw edges of the open end. If you don’t have a serger or zig zag option to overedge, then consider using some Fray Check or similar product. It’s a squirt bottle of clear liquid you apply along raw woven edges and when it dries, your fabric will not fray (much).

Stuff the pillow with your filler or insert so you can figure how much your flap will overlap, your button placement and how long the ribbons will need to be.

Cut your three ribbons to the same length.

Fold the front down and under the end of the insert.

Fold in the two sides, kind of like when you are gift wrapping a package. Make sure the corners fold in the same distance from the side and the front fabric edge. You want them to mirror each other.

Turn up the raw edge and pin in place.

Determine the center point of the flap and pin the ends of a ribbon on each side of the centerpoint.

Pin the ends of each of the other ribbons just inside the outside corners of the flap.

Stitch two rows of stitching. Be sure to catch all ends of ribbons securely.

Find and mark the center of the front panel for the center button placement.

Match the distance between ribbons with the distance between buttons and mark the placement of the two outside buttons.

Sew on the three buttons.

Close up your pillow wrapping the ribbon loops around each button.

Option 3) Needle and Thread

I will be using my pillows outside, so I knew I needed to be able to wash the covers.

But if you don’t need to, and either don’t have a working sewing machine (or you’re  still a bit intimidated by it), feel free to insert the pillow filler, fold the raw edges in, pin in place and then do a quick slipstitch to close up the opening.

Here is a good tutorial if you need a refresher.

I just don’t think making pillow covers can get much easier than these!

Most of the cutting has been done for us. For my four pillows, I had to make 3 cuts — TOTAL!

For two of the pillows I just had to close one end, the other two required an additional straight seam — That’s It!

And I think they look great! Wait until you see how I’ll be using them this Summer.

Looking for MORE Easy-To-Make Outdoor Decor?

Check out these outdoor sheers without expansive and expensive rods, right here.

How about an adorable wire cloche? It’s all right here.

Do you have a piece of old wood furniture that needs a bit of oomph? Check this out!

I hope this inspires you to keep an eye out for table runner options that might be better suited for your home as accent pillow covers. Please don’t hesitate to shoot me any questions or comments you might have.

As you guessed, my specific cabana stripe runner is long gone. So I scoured the web to find some good alternatives that might work for you — along with corresponding buttons, zippers, ribbon and fillers. Hope this helps. And yes, these are affiliates links which means if you purchase something using these links I may receive a small commission, but you pay exactly the same price. And remember, I will only refer products I believe in!!! 

This Zipper

These Buttons

This Ribbon

And this Pillow Insert

As always, thanks for joining me and reading all the way through — I know I can get pretty windy and detailed at times. You are THE BEST!