Skip to Content

Easy No-Sew Pillow Covers 2 Ways

This post sharing No-Sew Pillow Covers contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you. 

Just because you don’t know how to sew or you just don’t feel like dusting off the sewing machine, doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade those old throw pillows.

These No-Sew Pillow Covers are so easy to create and you can do them two different ways!

But you may be wondering…

Why not Use a Sewing-Machine to Make Pillows? 

While I do own a really nice sewing machine that my husband picked up for me as a gift because I had to have it, I still have yet to figure it out. 

I have managed to make a few projects with it but I still don’t know what a bobbin is and apparently, that is an important part of mastering the art of sewing. 

Lucky for me, I have mastered the art of no-sew projects.

I haven’t completely given up on my sewing machine though.

My daughter is about to start taking a beginner sewing class and I am hoping that the first day is going to be all about how to keep the bobbin from making angry sounds.

At least I think that is the bobbin, something keeps popping out of the sewing machine and getting tangled every time I start a new project.

So I decided to save myself the trouble of dealing with tangled thread and miscellaneous parts when inspiration for these Buffalo Check throw pillows struck.

How to Make No-Sew Pillow Covers

The best part of making no-sew pillow covers is that you can whip them up in just 10 minutes.

This is especially nice if you have spent the rest of your day wrestling with the sewing machine, trying to figure out what a bobbin is and where to put it. 

After wrestling with the sewing machine and getting frustrated, I may have told it where I think it should put it, on more than one occasion. 

Which led me to try out new ways to make no-sew pillows and basically any project that would usually require using the sewing machine. 

What You’ll Need for this DIY Project

Throw pillows or Pillow Stuffers

Buffalo Check Tablecloth 

measuring tape

fusible bonding tape 

glue gun 

fabric scissors

Silver Iron-on Vinyl

Cricut Machine 

Having a Cricut Machine isn’t necessary to make pillows but this is what I used to make the deer pattern. You can buy iron-on patches here if you don’t own a Cricut machine.

If you do have a Cricut Machine, you can get the cut file here that I used to make the deer patches. 

No-Sew Pillow Covers with Fusible Bonding Tape

One method I like most for no-sew projects is using fusible bonding tape. It’s cheap, plentiful, and easy to work with.

I keep a roll in my sewing kit, right next to the bobbin, or is it the bobbin case, or the spool cap? It doesn’t matter, it’s in the sewing kit, and it’s the only thing in there that has been used lately. 

No-Sew Pillow Covers with Hot Glue

The other method I like to use for no-sew projects and crafts is my glue gun. It’s amazing how many times I have been able to put my glue gun to use.

I really like the simplicity of it and since you can buy a bundle of glue sticks for next to nothing, it’s a cheap way to create fun DIY projects. 

Which Method is best for creating DIY Throw Pillows?

I honestly can not decide which method I like best, both methods have their pros and cons.

The glue gun was much faster to use but the bonding tape makes less of a mess.

If your careful, which I am not, you can use the glue gun without making a big mess but I always seem to have a little excess seep out here and there.

I would suggest you do your best to avoid the seepage. Not only can it make for a messy DIY project but you may have guessed that it really hurts when you get hot glue on your fingers. 

I have thought about putting my thimbles to use when working with hot glue guns since they aren’t getting used for sewing anyway. 

I do love working with hot glue, I just need to be more careful I guess but when it comes to crafting, I am so impatient. 

The bonding tape can be hard to work with when lining up the fabric and keeping it in place while making pillows but I have at least mastered the iron and managed to not burn myself. 

I usually choose which method to use depending on which I have more of or which fabric I am using. The thicker the fabric, the harder it can be to get the bonding tape to work quickly. 

At this point, you may be wondering why I even bother crafting and creating DIY’s but despite my frustrating history with crafts, I really love doing them. 

The bottom line is, both the bonding tape and the hot glue gun are way easier to work with than the sewing machine in my opinion. 

Tips for Lining up the Edges 

When using a tablecloth to make no-sew pillows you have the advantage of a professional seam on most of the edges. 

When cutting the fabric, be sure to measure and cut down the middle, this way the outside seam never gets trimmed. 

Just be sure to measure carefully so that you don’t have to cut the wrong side of the fabric and can use the professional seam on the edges. If you do have to cut the sides, just be sure to leave enough fabric overhang so that you can fold it inward before sealing. 

When sealing up the sides of the pillows, if the edge you are working with is not one of the professional seamed sides, fold over the cut edge before sealing. 

This will create a professional-looking seam on the sides that may have some loose threads hanging off, depending on which kind of fabric you are using for this project.

I hope you enjoyed learning how I made these No-Sew Pillow Covers two different ways and maybe got a laugh out of my struggles with the sewing machine. 

Hopefully, I will master that bobbin one of these days and share some sewing projects with you. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a post. 

What do you struggle with when crafting? Tell me about it in the comments below. 

About Thirty Something Super Mom

Melissa Dixon Thirty Something Super Mom
Thirty Something Super Mom | Website

My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.

NaturalBeautyAndMakeup(Ana)

Thursday 3rd of December 2020

My mom is an expert in this field whereas I suck at sewing 😟 However, I am loving this tutorial! Such an easy DIY😍

Amary

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

lol bobbin can get angry sometimes the trick is to get just the right amout of thread on and also to check your thread tension for non automatic machines.

Melissa cushing

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

I am just loving this and what a real project for the kiddos too. I am picking up three items needed for these for a project as we just got a new home and I would rather make some throw pillows myself, It is more gratifying and savvy!

Catherine

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

Such a great tutorial! This is so easy...love it. I'm going to have to try this...it's a nice way to give new life to pillows and throws!

Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

Love this idea. I have a few pilows that could use some updating