Recommended Free Tools
An envelope pillow backing uses two finished fabric edges that overlap, creating an opening for inserting and removing the pillow form—without a zipper. For a reliable fit, choose the finished cover size, seam allowance, opening hem, and overlap before cutting; tutorial formulas vary, so keep one method’s measurements together.
How the envelope backing works
Two back sections sit behind the pillow front. Their hemmed edges cross one another, covering the opening while leaving enough room to insert the pillow form. Once the back is laid out to match the front, sew around the perimeter, turn the cover through the opening, and add the insert.
You can make the back from two separate panels or from one longer piece folded to create the overlap. The two-panel method is straightforward to measure and adjust; the one-piece method avoids a seam between the back sections.
Choose the size and calculate the pieces
Measure the pillow form and decide how large you want the finished cover to be. A snug cover generally follows the form’s dimensions; if you want extra ease, account for it deliberately rather than adding it accidentally. Use the same finished-size convention for the front and backing.
#1 Best Overall
- Package Includes: You will receive a 63-inch wide and 2-yard (1.8m) long muslin fabric; the suitable size design provides plenty of material for your sewing and creative projects; Note: order QTY more than 1, receive several separate packs
- Premium Material: Muslin fabric is made of premium cotton material, with a smooth surface, soft texture, comfortable touchness, and good breathability; also, the cotton fabric retains its color well, fit for your design sewing needs
- Natural Features: Unbleached fabric retains the natural cotton features, which is tough and long-lasting; it may contain some fine cotton seed particles, which is a normal characteristic of natural fabric, so please feel confident using it
- Easy Care: Muslin fabric by yard can be machine-washed or hand-washed; we strongly recommend washing it at a low temperature and naturally drying the fabric to maintain its softness and durability
- Multiple Uses: Cotton muslin material is widely used for crafts, sewing, and home decorating, including garments, curtains, bags, aprons, tablecloths, cushion covers, as well as dyeing, printing, and other DIY crafts
For a two-panel back, let W and H be the intended finished cover width and height, S the perimeter seam allowance, O the amount the two back panels overlap, and F the fabric allowance consumed by the hem at each opening edge. Cut two rectangles, each:
- Width: W ÷ 2 + O + S
- Height: H + 2S
This formula treats the opening-edge hem allowance separately from the overlap: each panel extends inward by half the cover width plus the full overlap, while the hem is folded under at its opening edge. Add F to the width of each cut panel if the hem allowance is not already included in your chosen measurement. Keep a note of whether your panel width includes that allowance so it is not added twice.
Rank #2
- ✅ CONTENTS & SIZE: 100% cotton and 63" wide natural unbleached medium weight natural cotton muslin fabric. Order of multiple quantities will be shipped in continuous length.
- ✅ BEST QUALITY: This muslin fabric has a smooth finish, with a soft touch. It also has a natural light drape and stiffness, thanks to its cotton content. This fabric can also be machine washed and dried, but as always we highly recommend washing it in low settings, or hand washing and air drying fabrics in order to best retain its quality.
- ✅ MULTIPLE USES: Muslin fabrics are a staple for fashion designers and quilters! Use them for backing, backdrops, embroidery, fittings, Draping and more. Used for clothing and curtains, along with quilting, craft and utilitarian functions.
- ✅ SATISFACTION: With thousands of yards available all year round, you are sure to find that muslin fabric is great for many of your fabric needs. This fabric is manufactured and sold by AK TRADING CO.
For example, for an 18-by-18-inch finished cover, a 3-inch overlap, a ½-inch perimeter seam allowance, and a 1-inch double-fold hem allowance at each opening edge, cut two back panels 14½ inches wide by 19 inches high. The width is 9 + 3 + ½ + 1; the height is 18 + ½ + ½. After hemming, the two panels overlap by 3 inches when laid out to cover the 18-inch-wide front. Check the folded layout before sewing the perimeter.
That is one consistent calculation, not a universal pattern. Published examples use different overlap sizes and measurement conventions. For instance, [Gist Yarn’s 20-inch handwoven-cover example](https://gist.yarn.com/) calculates flap dimensions around a selected 2.5-inch overlap and includes allowances for visible and outer seams. [First Stitch](https://firststitch.com/) describes an 18-inch example with an overlap of about 3–4 inches. Treat such figures as project examples, not fixed rules.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Perfect for all of your sewing and crafting projects
- 100% Ringspun Cotton
- 2 Yards, 72 X 44 Inches
- Imported
- Not intended for children's sleepwear
Choose an overlap that covers the opening
The overlap should keep the insert concealed when the cover is filled, but an unnecessarily deep overlap can add bulk. Lay the panels over the front and check that the finished edges stay crossed across the opening. [Fairfield World’s envelope-cover instructions](https://www.fairfieldworld.com/) use a 2.5-inch overlap in their panel calculation; [Gist Yarn](https://gist.yarn.com/) cautions that too little overlap can allow a stuffed pillow to bulge through. The suitable amount depends on the insert, fabric, and fit.
One-piece folded option
Instead of two panels, cut one long backing piece, finish both short ends, and fold the ends toward the center so they overlap. Determine the total length from the finished cover height, perimeter seam allowances, hem allowances, and desired overlap; do not combine this layout with the two-panel formula. The Crafting Nook demonstrates a one-piece method with double-folded hems and a center overlap: DIY envelope pillow cover tutorial.
Rank #4
- Perfect for all of your sewing and crafting projects
- 100% Ringspun Cotton
- 2 Yards, 72 X 44 Inches
- Imported
- Not intended for children's sleepwear
Supplies and preparation
- Fabric for the pillow front and backing, plus matching thread
- Pins or clips to hold the overlap and perimeter layers
- An iron for pressing hems and folds
- A sewing machine for convenient straight stitching, or hand-sewing supplies if sewing by hand
- Optional: rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat for accurate cutting
Before cutting, check the direction of any print or fabric nap, and make sure the backing fabric can accommodate the planned hems and overlap. A paper layout or dry arrangement of the fabric pieces is a useful check: the backing should cover the front to its intended outside dimensions, and its opening should remain covered.
Sew the two-panel envelope backing
- Cut the pieces. Cut one front panel and two backing panels using the finished dimensions and allowances you chose. Mark the opening edges so you do not hem the wrong sides.
- Hem the opening edges. Fold each backing panel’s opening edge under using your chosen hem allowance, press, fold again if making a double-fold hem, then stitch close to the inner fold. In quilted work, a folded edge can be reinforced with optional interfacing and topstitching, as shown in Lori Miller Designs’ quilted pillow tutorial.
- Arrange the overlap. Place the front panel right side up. Lay the backing panels on top with their right sides facing the front, bringing the hemmed edges toward the center and crossing them by the planned amount. Align the outside edges with the front. Pin or clip the layers so the overlap cannot shift.
- Check the layout. Confirm that the assembled backing matches the front at all four sides, the finished opening edges overlap, and there is room to insert the form. Correct the arrangement now rather than trimming a sewn cover later.
- Sew the perimeter. Stitch around all four sides using the seam allowance included in your measurements. Backstitch at the start and finish. If the fabric is likely to fray, finish the exposed inside raw edges with an appropriate seam finish; Fairfield World recommends finishing inside raw edges for covers that will be washed.
- Turn and fill. Turn the cover right side out through the envelope opening, ease the corners into shape, and insert the pillow form through the overlap.
Finishing choices for quilted or washable covers
A basic perimeter seam is suitable for many fabric covers, but the best finish depends on the fabric and how the pillow will be used. For a quilted pillow, Lori Miller Designs describes binding the perimeter or using a ¼-inch enclosed seam in its specific construction. Binding gives the edge a defined finish; an enclosed seam hides the raw edges. Follow the chosen method’s seam allowances consistently because changing the perimeter finish can change the finished dimensions.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBest Value
- HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS:63" wide 100% Cotton This fabric has a smooth finish, with a soft touch. It also has a natural light drape and stiffness, thanks to its cotton content.
- FINISH: Mechanically Finished / Not Chemically Treated Due to the unfinished state of the 'Natural' muslin, small flecks of cotton seeds will be visible within the fabric. This is normal and the fabric is not defective.
- MULTIPLE USES: Use them for Dyeing, printing, general crafting, sewing,backing, backdrops, embroidery, fittings, Draping and more. This fabric is great for curtains, apparel, aprons, sheets, pillowcase，quilting，and other crafts projects.
- WASHING INSTRUCTION: This fabric can also be machine washed and dried, but as always, we strongly recommend washing on a low setting, or hand washing and air drying the fabric to best maintain its quality.
- There are 63 inches x 5 Yards for sale, if you need a larger length can order multiple pieces, wish you can successfully DIY to complete your favorite items, any questions can contact me, thanks
For a cover that will be washed, secure exposed raw edges inside the cover to reduce fraying. The opening hems and a neat perimeter finish make the cover easier to remove and return to the insert.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
