Looking for a creative way to use up your fabric scraps? This patchwork pillow case is a fun and beginner-friendly sewing project that turns leftover fabric into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind home accessory. Whether you’re trying to reduce waste, organize your scrap bin, or simply enjoy patchwork sewing, this DIY pillow cover is a practical project you’ll love.
In this tutorial, you’ll find step-by-step instructions along with a detailed video that shows you exactly how to make your own patchwork pillow case from start to finish. You can customize the design with your favorite colors, prints, and fabric combinations to create a pillow cover that perfectly matches your home décor or makes a thoughtful handmade gift.
Gather your fabric scraps, thread your sewing machine, and let’s create a patchwork pillow case that’s as beautiful as it is sustainable.
Materials
To make a beautiful pillow case, you will need:
- Fabric patches.
- Edging tape about 1 m.
- Zipper: 40 cm.
- Matching thread.
Sewing pillow case
When you have a lot of fabric patches and are ready, follow the steps below to sew them together.
Step 1. Cut out pieces from various fabric scraps and place them next to each other to make a single piece of fabric. For the pillow, you need two pieces of fabric (picture 1,2). Sew all the pieces together. In picture 3, you can see how the fabric will look from the other side. Then, iron and trim the edges so that both fabrics are the same and have even edges.
Step 2. Cut the two linings to the dimensions of the finished piece of fabric (picture 1), which can be slightly larger to make it easier to connect everything. Then add a zipper to the edge of the lining and the fabric over it, as you can see in picture 2. Sew (picture 3). Fold the fabric and lining to the other side and sew a finishing line along the zipper as shown by the white dotted line in picture 4.
Step 3. Now place the zipper with the sewn fabrics on the other lining pieces, and place another fabric on top of it and connect them (picture 1,2). Fold this lining with the fabric to the other side of the zipper and sew another finishing stitch along the zipper (picture 3).
Place the zipper head on the zipper (picture 4). Of course, you can also use a ready-made zipper. In this case, we use an industrial zipper that can be cut to the desired length.
Step 4. The next step is to sew the edges of the lining and fabric on both sides of the zipper as shown by the white dotted line in picture 1. Neatly trim the excess fabric at the edges, leaving a 3-5 mm edge from the seam (picture 2). Fold the fabrics over the zipper and sew the edges and bottom as shown by the white dotted line in picture 3. This way, the lining stays inside and the fabric made from the patches is outside.
Step 5. The last step is to edge the pillowcase all the way around. First, edge the bottom, then the sides; this will make the bag look neater.
This way you can make a pillowcase of any size. In our case, the pillow is small, so we used very little fabric scraps. For a larger pillow, you will need to save more fabric scraps. Combine fabrics of different colors and patterns. Working with small pieces of fabric develops sewing skills, diligence, and imagination. It’s like putting together a fun puzzle.
Video tutorial
Using leftover fabric scraps results in less textile waste, which results in less environmental pollution and encourages responsible consumption.
