Sham Pillow
February 15th, 2008 by Jen LoveI can’t believe how expensive decorative pillows are to buy!! We recently moved and I want to change some of my old pillows with new colors so I headed to my favorite aisle for inspiration- the clearance aisle at TJMaxx.
I found a single king-sized sham to make a cover for my old couch pillow. I like using shams because they are already lined, thick, and since they are quilted already have style to them. I also like to be able to take the pillow cover off and wash it since we snack alot on our couch. The sham was so long that I could fold it in half and perfectly surround my old pillow.
To make your own:
1. Fit pillow (or make one desired size) and measure how far in to make the seams. I made a mark all the way down with chalk. I liked the striped fabric the inside was lined with and the scalloped edges, so I decided to sew the seams on the right and left on the right side of the pillow sham, stopping a few inches from the top. This left a slight flap so I could see the reverse lining. (do not sew on the wrong sides as I marked to do here!)
2. Sew down chalk line on top (right side) of sham, or on reverse side if you want to turn it inside out (like making a normal pillowcase).
3. Measuring down on the inside along the top I used adhesive strips of velcro every few inches to attach at the top. Even though this doesn’t need to be opened every day I am going to now sew a line down the middle of the velcro because it hasn’t stuck as well as I’d hoped.
I liked that this was $5 update and the recycling of my old pillow!
February 16th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Looks great! What a great re-purpose project, quick and easy, with lost of style. As far as the velcro goes, the stick on stuff does not work to well for me either. And, if you sew through it, you’ll gum up your machine. Use some heavy duty fabric glue instead!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Great project! Decorator pillows are insanely priced!
February 20th, 2008 at 4:24 am
this is sooo nice; looks ready to sink in..but ummm, on the risk of being called an idiot, may i ask what excatly is a sham pillow?
February 20th, 2008 at 5:34 am
the creatist- just my attempt at play on words- it just a pillow made out of a sham (pillow sham), rather than usuing the sham in the regular way it was intended! Hope it works for you too!
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
thank-you for posting this inspiring idea and how-to! Your pillow looks fabulous