Vintage Envelope Hardware Nail Apron Pillow Cover

Changing up your home decor can be as simple as changing out the colors and style of fabric that you use. Learn how to make this vintage envelope hardware nail apron pillow cover in less than 15-20 minutes.

Envelope Pillow Cover Tutorial

I am definitely not a pro seamstress but I know my way around a machine enough to make a few simple things, pillow covers are one of the things I know how to make. It’s a simple project that takes little time, yet makes a big statement. The style that I make is known as an envelope pillow cover. No buttons, and no zipper. The back pieces of fabric overlap to form the closure.

I recently found this nail apron and decided that it would be a unique element in making a vintage envelope hardware nail apron pillow cover.

Supplies | Vintage Hardware Nail Apron Pillow Cover

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Sewing Machine
20 x 20 Pillow Insert – I prefer to use feather inserts because they hold their shape for the longest period of time.
Vintage Hardware Nail Apron – search local antique markets
Pins
Fabric Measuring Tape
Fabric – this is the one that I used
Thread

How to Make an Envelope Pillow Cover | YouTube Video

How to Sew an Envelope Pillow Cover with Nail Apron

For this envelope pillow cover, you will need just three cuts of fabric. The first cut will be the front and then you will cut two pieces for the back. I love using buffalo check fabric because you can use the lines as a guide for cutting your fabric.

Step 1: Cut the front piece of fabric. The size that you will need will depend on how big your insert is. My insert was 20×20 and I cut my front piece just slightly larger. If you want the pillow cover to look really full and fluffy, you can also cut the front piece 1 inch shorter. So, for instance, I could have also cut mine 19×19 and it would have fit.

Step 2: If you are using a vintage hardware nail apron, cut the ties off of the apron. Center the nail apron on the front of the fabric, then, pin it in place.

Step 3: Sew the hardware apron to the front of the fabric. Use a straight stitch, and sew around the border of the apron. I also sewed two lines down the middle sections where there were already stitches to form the pockets.

Step 4: Cut two pieces of fabric for the back. I take half the width of my fabric and then add 5 inches for the overlap in the back. So, for my pillow cover mine was cut cut 20×15.

Step 5: Sew a hem across the longest part of your back fabric piece, for my pillow cover this was the 20-inch side. I turn mine under a 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch before stitching it down. This will hide the raw edge.

Step 6: Lay the front piece of the fabric face up. Then lay one of the back pieces on top of the front piece of fabric. The edges should match up and the hemmed part on the back piece of fabric should be towards the middle, facing up.

Step 7: Take the second back piece and lay it over the top. Again, you will want the edges matched up and the hemmed part of the back piece should be towards the middle with hem facing up.

Step 8: Pin the front and back pieces together. Pin all the way around the edge of the pillow cover.

Step 9: Sew all the way around the edge of the pillow cover. I backstitched on each corner section as well as where the envelope closure comes together in the back. This just helps to reinforce the stitching, making the pillow cover last longer, especially if you are taking the insert in and out to launder it.

If you have a serger you can serge the raw edge or even use a zig-zag stitch to help with keep the edges from fraying. I rarely do this because it’s on the inside of the pillow, and I never see it.

Step 10: Clip the corners. To do this, simply cut a diaganol line at each corner, but do not cut into your stiches. This helps to make the corners of the pillow look nicer. Then turn your pillow inside out and put your insert in the pillow cover.

More Simple Sewing Tutorials

DIY Upcycled Girls Maxi Dress
How to Sew a Linen Pinafore Apron
Linen Pillow Covers with Tie Closures
Napkins & Placemats From Flour Sack Towels

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