How to Sew a Pottery Barn-esque ‘Button’ Pillow Slipcover
I’ve been eyeing PB’s ‘button’ pillow slipcovers but not to buy one. I was giving them a once over to copy them. One of theirs will set you back $24 (and that’s just for the cover). My version cost 6 bucks (yay remnants!) I had the pillow form on hand and the button too. Besides the $$$ savings, it’s actually really fun to whip up.
Here’s what you’ll need to make one:
- fabric & coordinating thread
- pillow form
- one large button
- pins, measuring tape, scissors, sewing machine, etc.
Step 1: Figuring out your fabric’s dimensions
Add an inch to your pillow’s width. Then multiply this number by 2 and add 5 inches or so. Cut your fabric to these dimensions. For example, in my project I used a 16 inch square pillow form, so I cut a panel that measured 17″ x 37″. 16 + 1 and 16 x 2 + 5.
Cut a 3″ piece of fabric the same length as one of your short ends (in my case 3 x 17); pin to one end of the long panel.
Step 2: Sewing everything up
Cut a small rectangle of fabric to sew a loop. I cut mine 1 1/2″ wide, and about 4″ long. The length will be based upon the size of your button, so the bigger the button the longer the loop.
Fold the two long ends of the loop piece toward the center. (Pressing helps.) Then fold these two halves together and sew a seam very close to the open edge.
Pin the loop you just made in the center of the 3″ piece and long panel ‘sandwich’. (At this point you can adjust the size of the loop to fit over your button; I found it’s best to make your loop too long and adjust.) Sew all of them together using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
This is what it looks like under the flap with the loop sewn in place.
Turn flap to the inside; pin it down and topstitch.
Fold the end with the loop halfway in (in my case 8″ for my 16″ pillow).
Fold the other end of the panel up to fit your pillow’s dimensions. In my case, I folded it in to create a 16″ square. Here you can see the loop end showing under the non-loop end:
Pin the sides together. (I must have rotated my cover for this shot, which makes it look like it’s folded opposite of the above picture. It’s not; just rotated!)
Sew up the sides using 1/2″ seam allowance.
Turn your pillow cover inside right.
Add a big button, and you’re ready to stuff it! (I found this lovely specimen in my button stash.)
Made two of these cover’s today for my 22×22 couch pillow’s. They turned out AWESOME!!! Thanks so much for figuring this out!
That’s GREAT! And you are very welcome.
Lovely work.
Good pictures.
LOVE THIS!!!! Thanks so much for posting! I will be using again and again and again! I made 2 pillows while my daughter was taking a nap–so simple, and they look great! Thanks!
Glad you found the tutorial, Emily!! I’ve made a few more since this version myself.
Often people may find that making something out of there own materials instead of purchasing a store bran could be inexpensive. Thank you for sharing your approach on making a button pillow slipcover.
Stopped over from Knock Off site. Thank you for the tutorial. Your pillow looks even better than Pottery Barn’s, probably sturdier too! Love when you can use remnants.
Thanks Monique! That’s quite the compliment.
Thank you for saving me lots of money. I really liked the PB button pillows and was ready to shell out lots of cash.
You are VERY welcome, Marlene!!!
This is an awesome pillow! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-button-pillow-slipcovers/2011/02/26/
Warm regards,
Anne
Thanks Anne!
I love your pillow and am thankful for the tutorial. I have some cool fabric that I want to try this with, although I am not positive that I have enough.
What kind of fabric did you use? It is really pretty.
Hey CJ. I’m glad you like it! It was ultra-suede, which was a bit harder to work with, but only because of its weight.