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To make an envelope pillow backing, finish the opening edges of two fabric panels, overlap them, and sew the backing to the pillow front around the perimeter. The overlap creates a zipper-free opening for removing the cover. Measure and calculate the panels from your chosen finished cover size, seam allowance, and overlap; tutorial formulas vary, so avoid mixing measurements from different methods.
Choose the finished size and overlap
Measure the pillow insert and choose the finished cover size. A cover cut to the insert’s dimensions will fit more snugly than one given extra ease. Decide on the overlap and seam allowance before cutting. The overlap should cover the opening while still allowing you to insert and remove the form.
For the two-panel method below, use these measurements:
#1 Best Overall
- Package Includes: You will receive a 63-inch wide and 2-yard (1.8m) long muslin fabric; the suitable size design provides plenty of material for your sewing and creative projects; Note: order QTY more than 1, receive several separate packs
- Premium Material: Muslin fabric is made of premium cotton material, with a smooth surface, soft texture, comfortable touchness, and good breathability; also, the cotton fabric retains its color well, fit for your design sewing needs
- Natural Features: Unbleached fabric retains the natural cotton features, which is tough and long-lasting; it may contain some fine cotton seed particles, which is a normal characteristic of natural fabric, so please feel confident using it
- Easy Care: Muslin fabric by yard can be machine-washed or hand-washed; we strongly recommend washing it at a low temperature and naturally drying the fabric to maintain its softness and durability
- Multiple Uses: Cotton muslin material is widely used for crafts, sewing, and home decorating, including garments, curtains, bags, aprons, tablecloths, cushion covers, as well as dyeing, printing, and other DIY crafts
- F: finished cover width and height
- O: total overlap between the finished opening edges
- S: perimeter seam allowance
- H: allowance for the opening-edge hem
Each backing panel’s cut width is (F + O) ÷ 2 + S + H. Its cut height is F + 2S. This formula assumes that each panel has one opening edge finished with a hem, the other side edge sewn into the perimeter, and the panels overlap by O after hemming. For a double-fold hem made with two 1/2-inch folds, H is 1 inch.
Worked example: an 18-inch square cover
For an 18-inch finished cover, a 3-inch overlap, a 1/2-inch perimeter seam allowance, and a double-fold opening hem using two 1/2-inch folds, cut two backing panels 12 inches wide by 19 inches high. After hemming and sewing, the two panels provide 21 inches of combined width; overlapping them by 3 inches makes the backing 18 inches wide.
Rank #2
- ✅ CONTENTS & SIZE: 100% cotton and 63" wide natural unbleached medium weight natural cotton muslin fabric. Order of multiple quantities will be shipped in continuous length.
- ✅ BEST QUALITY: This muslin fabric has a smooth finish, with a soft touch. It also has a natural light drape and stiffness, thanks to its cotton content. This fabric can also be machine washed and dried, but as always we highly recommend washing it in low settings, or hand washing and air drying fabrics in order to best retain its quality.
- ✅ MULTIPLE USES: Muslin fabrics are a staple for fashion designers and quilters! Use them for backing, backdrops, embroidery, fittings, Draping and more. Used for clothing and curtains, along with quilting, craft and utilitarian functions.
- ✅ SATISFACTION: With thousands of yards available all year round, you are sure to find that muslin fabric is great for many of your fabric needs. This fabric is manufactured and sold by AK TRADING CO.
Three inches is an example, not a universal requirement. Published tutorials use different overlap amounts and cutting conventions. For example, First Stitch describes an overlap of about 3–4 inches for an 18-by-18-inch example, while Gist Yarn discusses a 2.5-inch overlap in a 20-inch cover example. Use your own selected overlap consistently in the formula rather than treating either example as a fixed standard.
Gather fabric and tools
- Fabric for the pillow front and two backing panels
- Matching thread
- Pins or clips to hold the overlap and layers
- An iron for pressing the hems
- A sewing machine with a straight stitch, or a needle if sewing by hand
Scissors are sufficient for cutting. A rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat are optional aids for making straight, accurate cuts.
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- Perfect for all of your sewing and crafting projects
- 100% Ringspun Cotton
- 2 Yards, 72 X 44 Inches
- Imported
- Not intended for children's sleepwear
Cut and hem the backing panels
- Cut two backing rectangles to the dimensions you calculated. Keep the grain and any print direction consistent with the pillow front.
- On each rectangle, identify the edge that will face the opening. Fold that edge to the wrong side by half the planned hem depth, press, then fold by the same amount again and press. For the worked example, fold each edge 1/2 inch twice.
- Stitch close to the inner folded edge to secure each hem. If the fabric is quilted or bulky, a folded edge can be reinforced with optional interfacing and topstitching.
Overlap the panels and check the backing size
- Place the backing panels with their wrong sides up and their hemmed edges facing one another.
- Slide one panel over the other until the finished edges overlap by your chosen amount. Measure the overlap, rather than relying on eye alone.
- Check that the assembled backing matches the pillow front’s outside dimensions, including the intended seam allowance. The opening should stay covered across its full width. Pin or clip the overlap in place.
Before sewing the perimeter, test the opening: it should admit the pillow form without forcing the fabric, and the edges should still overlap when the backing lies flat. Adjust the panels now if needed.
Sew the backing to the pillow front
- Lay the pillow front right side up. Place the overlapped backing on top with its right side facing the pillow front’s right side. Align the outside edges and keep the overlap secured.
- Pin or clip around the perimeter. Baste across the overlapped section within the seam allowance if it shifts easily.
- Sew around all four sides using the seam allowance used in your calculation. Backstitch at the start and finish. If the cover will be washed, finish the exposed inside raw edges with a suitable seam finish to help limit fraying.
- Trim bulky corners cautiously, without cutting into the stitching, then turn the cover right side out through the envelope opening. Shape the corners and insert the pillow form.
For a quilted pillow, binding or an enclosed seam can be used instead of leaving a conventional perimeter seam finish; choose a finish that suits the layers and construction. Lori Miller Designs describes binding and a 1/4-inch enclosed seam for its quilted-pillow context, rather than as a universal seam allowance.
Rank #4
- Perfect for all of your sewing and crafting projects
- 100% Ringspun Cotton
- 2 Yards, 72 X 44 Inches
- Imported
- Not intended for children's sleepwear
Use a one-piece backing instead
A single longer rectangle can also form the envelope back. Hem both short ends with double-fold hems, then fold the piece toward the center so the hemmed ends overlap. The overlap must cover the opening, and the folded assembly must match the pillow front before you sew around the perimeter.
This method avoids joining separate backing panels, but its cut length depends on the finished pillow size, selected overlap, hems, and perimeter seam allowance. Lay out the folds and verify the assembled dimensions before stitching; do not apply the two-panel formula to the one-piece method.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS:63" wide 100% Cotton This fabric has a smooth finish, with a soft touch. It also has a natural light drape and stiffness, thanks to its cotton content.
- FINISH: Mechanically Finished / Not Chemically Treated Due to the unfinished state of the 'Natural' muslin, small flecks of cotton seeds will be visible within the fabric. This is normal and the fabric is not defective.
- MULTIPLE USES: Use them for Dyeing, printing, general crafting, sewing,backing, backdrops, embroidery, fittings, Draping and more. This fabric is great for curtains, apparel, aprons, sheets, pillowcase，quilting，and other crafts projects.
- WASHING INSTRUCTION: This fabric can also be machine washed and dried, but as always, we strongly recommend washing on a low setting, or hand washing and air drying the fabric to best maintain its quality.
- There are 63 inches x 5 Yards for sale, if you need a larger length can order multiple pieces, wish you can successfully DIY to complete your favorite items, any questions can contact me, thanks
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
