Geeky Throw Pillow Slip-On Case Tutorial

Hey Nifty Nerds. I’ve got a super simple sewing craft for you guys today. Anyone can quickly learn to sew a basic straight stitch on a sewing machine; which is all this project needs!

I love my husband, but when I first moved in with him, he had some ugly couch pillows. I spruced them up (hid?) with new envelope pillow cases that I made. I chose a classic damask print with a twist; the pattern is made up of Mario and Zelda Nintendo characters!

Check out the quick and simple project below.

• geek fabric of choice* (amount of fabric will depend upon the size of your pillow insert)
• self-healing cutting mat
• fabric rotary cutter
• sewing machine (for a great general-use machine, I love my easy to use Brother CS6000i)
• hard plastic quilting ruler
• sewing thread that matches the color of your fabric
• throw pillow insert

*I used a black and white Nintendo themed damask print I found from Spoonflower. I love this fabric because unless you pause to actually look at the design within the pattern, it looks like a classic damask print at a glance. Unfortunately this fabric is no longer available, but search for just about any other other theme and I bet you’ll find it. For example, here’s a:
Dr. Who themed Blue Willow pattern
Star Trek insignia pattern
Wizard, wand, and owl Harry Potter themed pattern
Retro video game design

1. Pre-wash and dry your fabric to prevent shrinkage later, then iron smooth.

2. Cut out the 3 panels that will make up the envelope pillowcase; the front panel (F), top back panel (B-1), and bottom back panel (B-2).

The height and width of the front panel will be the same size as your pillow insert. The 2 back panels will be the same width as your pillow insert. The height of the back panels will be half the height plus five inches.

For example, we have a square pillow insert that is 18 inches by 18 inches. We’ll cut our front panel to be 18 inches by 18 inches. Our two back panels will be 18 inches by 14 inches (.5 x 18 + 5) each. When cutting your two back panels, be sure the fabric pattern is facing the same direction as the front panel piece.

3. Hem the edge of the back panel pieces.

For the top back panel piece (B-1), you will hem the bottom edge. With the wrong side of the fabric facing up, fold the bottom fabric edge up 1/2 inch and iron flat. Fold it over again another 1/2 inch and iron once more before stitching across to create a clean-edged hem.

Repeat the same process for the bottom back panel piece (B-2), but hem the top edge of the fabric instead.

4. Take the front panel piece (F), right side up. Place the back bottom panel (B-2) on top of it, with the right side facing down (the right sides of the fabric will be facing inwards, touching each other). The bottom edges of the front and back bottom pieces should align.

Take the top back piece (B-1) and place it on top of both the other ones, aligning its top edge with the top edge of the front panel. The right side should also be facing down. The top back panel will slightly overlap the bottom back panel -this creates the “envelope” of the pillow case.

Pin the pieces in place and sewing a 1/2 inch seam all the way around the edge.

5. Flip the pillow case inside out, so the right side of the fabric faces outwards and stuff it with your pillow insert.

See?! How simple was that! What an easy way to refresh the look of your living room. What I love about these pillow cases (beyond the fact that they’re so simple to make) is the fact that they’re easy-on/easy-off, perfect for washing if need be.

What do you think? What sort of fandom would you like to dress up your throw pillows with? Let me know in the comments below.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.