~ Pillow Slipcover Tutorial II ~

To view the first tutorial where the piping process is explained, go here first.

So ... when we last left the piping on our pillow top ... we were done! With the piping part.

Now trim off both edges to meet the edge of the pillow.

Next: From the fabric you plan to back the pillow with, cut a strip as wide as the pillow.  From this you will cut two separate pieces.  Here's the formula for figuring out how long they should be:
1/2 of the unfinished pillow top's length measurement + 4"
So in this case I had 9 1/2" (half of 19") + 4" = 13 1/2".
(This will make a flap that overlaps.  If you want to measure exactly to do buttons and button holes ... well, that will have to be another tutorial.  This is the easy version with the assumption that all of your hard work is on the front and that is the side you will always have facing forward.)

On the bottom side of each piece (the width -- the 19" side) fold it over 3/4" - 1" and steam press. Then fold it again and press ... as shown above.

Because at least one of these seams is going to show, you want to sew them from the right side in order to maintain a nice straight line.  Pick a point on the plate to the right to use as a guide, sewing about 1/8" in from the folded edge to make sure to catch it all along the way.




I have often utilized decorative stitches from my machine on this step, however I avoid the satin-y stitches as they will pucker the hem. I did use a varigated beige thread here to mirror the varigated look of my piping fabric. Tres chic.
  

Now to the pinning.  Place your piped pillow top lying face up and top up (if that makes a difference.) Take the first hemmed piece (if you only 'decorated' one of them, that is the one to lay down first) and lay it with the right side down, with the raw corners matching the upper corners of the pillow top.

Now take the other piece and do the same.  Right side down, bottom corners matching.  The two hemmed parts with overlap in the middle.

Pin a few strategic places on this side ... on the corners and where the hems meet the edge.  Then flip it over and continue pinning on the other side because that is the side you are going to want to sew from, in order to be able to see the seam line made from the piping.

Attach your specialty foot and adjust the needle location. Using a regulation-sized stitch this time, sew around the entire square along that same stitching line.

Round those corners like a sleek sports car.

When you hit the corner where the two pieces of piping meet ...

... just sew in a curve moving effortlessly from one piece to the next.
Continue sewing until you meet up where you started and overlap some stitches.

You probably weren't expecting this but ... now you are done.  Turn that baby right side out.

As long as everything is in place and the flaps have been caught in the seam line (see above and below), there is no need for any trimming.  Let the excess fabric in the corners serve as additional stuffing..

Seriously ... you are done!

Depending on how rigid your pillow form is, the stuffing part can take some patience. This is why you don't want more overlap than I have suggested here.  Trust me.

Aaah ... aren't you proud?

If you would like your pillow to sport some soothing sand dollars like mine, go here.

Then ... follow my lead and recover every dang pillow in your entire house!

You know you want to.