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    Easy Trick: Make a Back for Any Pillow Size

    Last Modified: April 20, 2022 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 11 Comments

    I'm so excited to have Andy from A Bright Corner here sharing this guest post with this super simple trick for making a back for any size pillow. Pillows are the perfect quick-finish project. It's so fun to make a cute pillow front, but I often used to get stuck just finishing the project (aka - making the back). I'm so glad Andy is sharing her tips for finishing those cute pillows!

    Hi everyone!  Andy here from A Bright Corner.  I’m a quilt pattern designer, a big fan of scrappy quilting, and mom to two fun & creative boys.

    I blog at A Bright Corner where I like to share tutorials and tips, and I also have an online shop where you can find my patterns - both PDF and paper versions.

    And if you follow me on Instagram you’ll know that I’ve been working on a little scrappy Christmas patchwork pillow to get me more in the holiday mood.  Nothing inspires me more than working with pretty scraps!

    Today I wanted to share with you my easy trick for making an envelope backing for any size pillow.  

    Pillows are one of my favorite ways to decorate for different holidays and seasons.  I have 4 or 5 that I swap out throughout the year- I use the same pillow inserts and just change the covers.   

    When I first started making pillows I would just kind of make it up as I went.  I like envelope closures but I would usually get the measurements wrong so the finished pillow would either gape open at the back, or the opening would be too small and pillow insert wouldn’t fit.

    So I’ve come up with an easy-to-remember formula that I now follow when I make pillows.  

    And guess what?  You can use this little bit of math to turn anything into a pillow - a quilted panel, a cute tea towel, a mini quilt, table topper...you name it!

    Whatever you’re making into a pillow, quilt it first and do any applique stitching that’s needed.  I’m starting with this Charming Lucy mini quilt.  It’s all quilted and ready for the next step.

    For the envelope backing we’ll need 2 rectangles of backing fabric.  To figure out the size we need to do a bit of math-- but don’t worry it’s easy stuff!

    Measure the width of the pillow front.  Divide that number by 2. Then add 3. That number is the width to cut the rectangles.  

    My pillow front measures 18” x 18”

    18 divided by 2 = 9

    9+3 = 12

    So I will need to cut 2 rectangles that are 12” x 18”

    I’ll show you one more example.  Let’s say you have a leftover quilt block that you want to turn into a pillow and it measures 20” x 20”

    Divide that by 2 = 10

    Add 3 = 13

    So you’ll need two rectangles that are 13” x 20” to make a backing for your quilt block pillow.

    Now that you have your backing rectangles, here’s what to do next -

    On one long edge fold under ½” and press, then fold under another ½” and press again. Top stitch along the first fold to secure it in place. Repeat for the second backing rectangle.

    Place the pillow front right side down on the table.  Layer the two backing rectangles right side up with the finished edges overlapping in the middle of the pillow, and the raw edges lining up with the raw edges of the pillow front.

    Pin all the way around the pillow.  

    Then using a basting stitch, baste around the entire pillow about ⅛” in from the edge.  This will hold all the layers together as you add the binding. The basting stitches will be hidden under the binding.

    Now make yourself some quilt binding and bind the pillow as you would a quilt.  If you need a great binding tutorial, Amy has one here on her blog.

    Once the pillow is bound, add the pillow insert and it’s ready to be used!  Want more pillow inspiration?

    These are some of my favorites that I’ve made recently, and if you’d like to know how to make any of these pillows, click on the links below to be taken to the tutorial!

    Winter Star Pillow tutorial

    Charming Lucy Mini Quilt and Pillow tutorial

    Christmas Patchwork Pillow tutorial

    Summer Leaves Pillow tutorial

      

    Thanks again, Andy! Such a simple and useful tip! If you're looking for some fun Christmas Pillow ideas, I've got a good list here.

    Also, be sure to check out Andy's super popular post about How to Organize Your Sewing Room. She has SO many useful tips!

    More pillow

    • What's on my Sewing Table - Christmas Edition
    • Quilted Body Pillow with Fabric Scraps Tutorial
    • Make your own decorative Christmas Pillows with these fun tutorials and Ideas.
      Christmas Pillow Tutorials ideas
    • Patchwork USA pattern book, featured by top US quilting blog, Diary of a Quilter
      Darling Patchwork Projects in Patchwork USA Pattern Book

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Danette

      December 07, 2018 at 6:43 am

      Love this - short and sweet! Thank you!

      Reply
    2. Pat S

      December 07, 2018 at 9:30 am

      Thanks for this. I've had less than stellar results with envelope backs and usually just put in a zipper. That isn't always practical, though, so I will definitely give this a try.

      Reply
    3. Hannah

      December 07, 2018 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks for the tips! And so many pretty pillows! I think I might have to make one or two.....

      Reply
    4. Judy Chastain

      December 08, 2018 at 10:54 am

      I have to remember this formula! I've always made my pillow backs too small. Thanks Amy and Andy!

      Reply
    5. Peggy

      December 17, 2018 at 10:09 am

      Can you show the back of the finished pillow?

      Reply
    6. Lea

      January 25, 2020 at 9:36 pm

      Thank you for this tutorial. I've pinned it.

      Reply
    7. MJ Ibarguen

      October 20, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      this is also the way I back my pillows, but I back the backing fabric with fusible fleece so they are a little more substantial.

      Reply
      • Amy

        October 28, 2021 at 11:04 am

        Great idea!

        Reply
    8. Toni

      June 02, 2023 at 1:19 pm

      did you make any adjustments for seam allowances, my pillow front is rather thick because I’m making it into a floor pillow. I had intended to use half inch seam allowances. Would you suggest that I add this into the pool back measurements before hand?

      Reply
    9. Norene Rash

      October 16, 2024 at 8:22 am

      Hi Amy:
      Your instructions seem to be for square pillows.
      Do you have a formula for rectangular pillows?
      Mine is 18 x 13.
      Thanks, Norene

      Reply
      • Donna Schell

        November 19, 2024 at 9:57 am

        My problem too! I want to make a pillow out of a rectangular vintage tapestry with thick borders and edge fringe. I want an envelope back so the tapestry could lie flat as a dresser scarf if desired.

        Reply

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