Cornflower Blue: DIY Easy-Sew Embossed Felt Pillowcase (for $5.12!)

Over the weekend I was browsing pillow covers online (because I want a new cover for the pillow on my couch!) and I found these textured felt pillow covers at West Elm. Very cool, but a little out of my price range. I also wanted something that could be machine washed instead of dry cleaned since I know I'm not going to send pillow covers to the cleaners : )

Soooo, I went to the craft store and found this cool embossed felt (Eco-fi felt by Creatology) that just happens to be made from post-consumer recycled bottles instead of wool and is machine washable. It comes in several colors and patterns, I chose the charcoal gray. The four pieces of embossed felt and four pieces of plain felt I needed for the project only cost $5.12 (99 cents for each embossed piece and 29 cents for each plain piece). At that price I can make several cases and change them whenever I want to add a different color!

This pillowcase is made for a 16x16 inch throw pillow, but you could easily modify it for different sizes by adding or subtracting felt.

You'll need a 4 pieces of embossed felt, 4 pieces of plain felt, a sewing machine with coordinating thread, and scissors.

First, make a large rectangle by sewing together your four pieces of embossed felt like this:

Next, sew two pieces of plain felt to each side, making one really long rectangle like this:

Then, place your pillow in the center of the rectangle and fold the right side over it. The felt should cover 2 inches past the center of the pillow. Trim any excess.

Do the same for the left side of the rectangle. Fold the felt over, make sure it overlaps the center of the pillow by 2 inches, and trim any excess.

Place a few pins to mark where your felt should overlap and remove the pillow.

Use your sewing machine to sew the top and bottom seams (make sure that right sides are together!). The opening going down the middle of your pillow cover will not be stitched - that's where you will be slip the pillow in.