Christmas Envelope Pillows - 45 minute Project

This is 100% NOT the original project that I had in mind but it is way more practical and you can definitely adjust it for any holiday. 

Today we will be making an envelope pillowcase. It is called and envelope because the back will be able to easily open and will fold over itself to appear closed, like an envelope does.

Jo-Ann Craft and Fabric stores sent me a $50 gift card so I could make a #fabulouslyfestive craft tutorial, so I ran over to get some supplies (I have enough left over for a second tutorial, so keep your eyes peeled!). BTW I love the Cary, NC store! I'm working out the logistics on how to transplant it to Jacksonville.... :0)

JoAnns shopping list:

Main fabric (red for Santa, green for elf) 5/8 yard (to allow for shrinkage during pre-wash)
Black fabric                                            6"
Yellow fabric                                          8"
Don't forget your coupon! Scroll down to the bottom of the blog, print it out and take it to your nearest JoAnn store for some great deals! Your shopping list is also at the bottom so you can print the coupon and list together. Please remember this list will complete a 17x17" pillowcase.

First measure your pillow. Mine is about 17" so I'm going to give myself 1/2 seam allowance at top, bottom and both sides. 

Your front piece will be your pillow dimensions plus 1".
Example: my pillow was 17 x 17 so my front piece was 18" x 18"
               my large back piece was 16" x 18"
               my small back piece was 6" x 18"

The next part is the belt. Cut your width by 5" (Mine is 18" x 5") and 3x3"

The yellow fabric will be a 6"x6" square.

 

Iron your long belt piece top and bottom over 1/4- 1/2"

Iron your yellow and black squares, on all sides, 1/4-1/2" over.

Now you can start assembling your pieces. Just eye where you want them to be, I didn't place them by using any precise measurements. Lay down your long belt piece first. Be sure to pin it down so it doesn't shift while you are sewing it.

Next, place your yellow and black belt pieces down at the same time. I stitched my black square down first so I wouldn't have to change my thread twice. :)

Once you stitch down the belt, set this aside.

Grab your back top and back bottom pieces. Iron the long end over twice so your raw edges aren't showing. Then stitch this down. I used my left align stitch so it would be close to the ironed edge.

Now we are going to put it all together. It will look like this....
Front side facing up.

Then put down the small back piece on top, and the large back piece on top of that. It should look like this (yours will overlap more than the picture here shows)

Pin all the way around to prevent slipping and pulling fabric. Stitch all the way around using a 1/4 to 1/2 seam allowance.

If you have a serger you can serge the raw edge. If you do not, you can either zig-zag stitch to prevent fraying, or just cut with pinking shears and call it a day!

Now put it on your sofa and enjoy cuddling up with your family! When the holidays are over, just take the pillowcase off and store until next year!

I like to use at least one piece of quilting cotton with a bit of a pattern so the pillow doesn't look so 'flat'. It gives it just a bit more dimension!

JoAnns shopping list:

Main fabric (red for Santa, green for elf) 5/8 yard (to allow for shrinkage during pre-wash)
Black fabric                                            6"
Yellow fabric                                          8"

Check out more fun tutorials and ideas here  joann.com/celebrate-the-season

And if you make one of these pillows, please comment with a picture! I'd love to see it! 

To find this tutorial more easily if you want to make it later, pin it!  

JoAnn Fabric and Craft stores did compensate me a gift card in exchange for this blog post, but all ideas, photographs and opinions stated therein are my own.