There are pillow shams.The covers of old pillows can be replaced with new shams, or you can change the pillows to decorate for special occasions.You can wash the pillows and remove the shams.If you have basic sewing knowledge and materials, you can make pillow shams instead of buying new ones.
Step 1: You can choose your fabric.
A pillow sham can be made with either a print or fabric.You can use either type of fabric in the front and back of the pillow sham.A nice cover for your pillow can be made with a fabric that is easy to work with.Most craft stores carry a wide range of cotton and linen fabrics.If you want something heavier and more durable, you can look at upholstery fabrics.
Step 2: You have to measure the pillow.
You can cover any type of pillow with a sham, but a full pillow may look better in the sham than a thin one.The dimensions of the sham fabric pieces will be determined by the measurement of your pillow.To find the width and length of the pillow, use a tape measure.If you have a rectangular pillow, the measurement might be something like 20 by 26 inches.The measurement for a square pillow is 16 by 16 inches.
Step 3: Determine how wide to make it.
The pillow sham cover has excess fabric on it.You can make small and large flanges that are either 2 inches or 10 cm wide.The larger the flanges, the more luxurious your pillow will look.
Step 4: The pillow measurement needs to be added to the flange width times 2.
To find the total width and length of the front panel of your sham, you will need to add your pillow measurements.If you want to add the flange size to your pillow measurements, you have to multiply it by 2.If you have a pillow that is 26 inches by 52 inches and you want it to be 2 inches wide, then your new measurement would be 24 by 30 inches.If you are making a square cover for a 16 by 16 inches pillow and want 4 inches (10 cm) flanges, your new fabric measurement would be 24 by 24 inches.
Step 5: Add 5 to the width of the front panel.
To get the back panel measurement, you need to divide the width by 2 and add 5 inches to that measurement.If you divide 30 inches by 2 to get 15 inches, you will get 38 cm.Add 5 inches (13 cm) for a total of 20 inches (51 cm).Divide 24 inches by 61 cm by 2 and you will get a measurement of 30 cm.Add 5 inches for a total of 17 inches.
Step 6: For the back panel height, add the pillow height and width.
To calculate the second measurement for the back panels, all you have to do is add the pillow height and the amount of the flanges.The height of your back panels will be determined by the pillow plus flange measurement.The back panel height measurement will be 24 inches (61 cm) if your pillow plus flange measurement is 24 by 24.
Step 7: You should cut your fabric pieces.
If you don't have the measurements for the front and back panels, you can cut them out and sew the pillow sham.Measure the pieces using a piece of chalk and a ruler.Cut along the lines.The pieces you need to cut are the front and back panels.
Step 8: On one of the edges, fold over 1 inch of fabric.
The longest edges of your back panel pieces are the height edges.If you want the raw edge to go in towards the wrong side of the fabric, you have to fold over the 1 edges.If your fabric is a solid color with no obvious front or back, you can fold it on either side.
Step 9: Along the way.
Press the folded edge with an iron to crease the fold.To avoid damaging the fabric, use the lowest setting.To protect the fabric, place a t-shirt or towel over it.It is possible to iron the fold.If you are not concerned about having creased edges, you may skip this.
Step 10: Put the fabric in place by folding it.
Go in the same direction by folding the edge over again.This will hide the edge of the fabric that you folded.A pin is placed about every 2 to 3 inches.The pins should be parallel to the folded edge.
Step 11: From the edge of the inner fold, sew 0.25 inches.
To secure the hem of the back panel, sew a straight stitch 0.25 inches from the inner edge.You need to sew from the top to the bottom of the folded fabric.If you prefer, you can use a zigzag stitch setting.
Step 12: On the other back panel piece, repeat this process.
You will need to hem the other side of the back panel piece.To hem the other piece, follow the same process.
Step 13: Place the print side up on the front panel piece.
Place your front panel piece on a clean surface, such as a table or floor.The print side of the fabric should be facing up.Make sure the fabric lays flat.It won't matter which side is facing up if your fabric is a solid and both sides look the same.
Step 14: The back panels should be over the front panel.
The print sides should be pointing down.The back panels should be aligned with the front piece.The hemmed edges should be in the center of the pillow sham.The folded over fabric at the center of the panels should be facing out if the back panel fabric is a solid.
Step 15: The pillow sham has a pin around it.
Place pins around the edges of the pillow sham to secure the front and back panels.The pins should be on the edges of the fabric.It will be easier to remove them as you sew.
Step 16: A straight stitch is from the edges of the fabric.
Start sewing along the edges of the pillow sham by setting your sewing machine to straight stitch.Take a straight line from the raw edges.Before you start sewing, make sure to remove the pins.Don't sew over the pins.
Step 17: The fabric should be pivoted whenever you reach a corner.
You can stop the machine by taking your foot off of the pedal.If you want to change directions, pivot the fabric by 90 degrees.This is done when you come to a corner.If you want to sew off each edge when you reach a corner, you can pivot the fabric and sew along the next edge.
Step 18: Continue sewing all the way around.
Continue sewing around the edges of the sham until you have secured them.Cut the excess threads by sewing right off the edge of the last corner.
Step 19: Place a notch in the corners.
The sham may look bulky after you turn it right side out because of the excess fabric in the corners.The tip of the corner is where the stitching begins.The fabric will overlap when the pillow sham is inverted.Don't cut through the stitches.
Step 20: The sham should be turned right side out.
Take the sham fabric from the inside through the gap between the back panels.Pull the fabric out of the gap between the back panels.Press your fingers into the corners of the sham.
Step 21: You can iron the edges of the pillow sham.
You can iron the sham around the edges to make them look flat after sewing them.To iron around the edges of the sham, use an iron on the lowest setting.If you want, you can iron the whole sham.
Step 22: Measure and mark the place where the flanges should be.
You can use the measurement you chose to identify where you want the flanges to begin and end.Draw a line in chalk from the edges of the sham to the desired measurement.A ruler or other straight edge can be used to create a straight line.
Step 23: There is a pin around the edges.
This will help to keep the fabric lined up.Place a pin every 2 to 3 inches.The ruler can be used to create a straight edge.The pins should be parallel to the lines you have drawn.
Step 24: A straight stitch is used.
You can use the lines to guide you.Continue sewing until you have secured the inner edge of the pillow sham.You should remove the pins before sewing to avoid sewing over them.
Step 25: The excess threads should be cut.
Lift the presser foot to release the sham after you secured the flanges.Use a pair of scissors to cut the excess threads from the sewing.
Step 26: Put the sham on your pillow.
Give the pillow case a good shake and then use your hands to remove the chalk.Put the sham on the pillow.It is ready to use.