DIY Body Pillow Cover: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you a body pillow enthusiast? For many, a body pillow is more than just a cushion; it’s a sleep essential. If you find yourself tossing and turning, or just crave that extra support, a body pillow can be a game-changer. While readily available, finding the perfect body pillow cover to match your style and comfort preferences can be a challenge. That’s where this DIY tutorial comes in!

This guide will walk you through creating a custom body pillow cover that’s not only functional but also adds a personal touch to your bedroom decor. Whether you’re a seasoned seamstress or a beginner just starting out, this project is designed to be accessible and enjoyable. We’ll cover everything from selecting the right fabric to adding decorative details like tassels, ensuring a comfortable and stylish addition to your sleep routine.

The beauty of a DIY body pillow cover lies in its customizability. You get to choose the fabric, the embellishments, and the overall design to perfectly suit your needs and aesthetic. No more settling for generic patterns or uncomfortable materials! This project empowers you to create a body pillow cover that’s uniquely yours.

In this tutorial, we’ll also explore adding tassels, a detail that can elevate the look of your pillow cover. However, if you’re sensitive to textures while sleeping, feel free to skip this step. The goal is to create a body pillow cover that enhances your sleep experience, not detracts from it.

Materials You’ll Need

Before we begin, let’s gather all the necessary materials. This ensures a smooth and efficient crafting process. Here’s what you’ll need:

Choosing the Right Fabric: When selecting fabric, prioritize comfort. Opt for soft cottons or linens, avoiding anything overly scratchy, beaded, or with raised designs. Non-stretch fabrics are ideal for this project as they maintain their shape and are easier to work with. Consider the color and pattern to complement your existing bedding and personal style.

Step 1: Measure Your Body Pillow

The first step is to accurately measure your body pillow. Note both the width and the length. Standard body pillows typically measure around 50 x 20 inches. However, if your pillow has been used for a while, its shape may have changed, and it might be slightly smaller. Take precise measurements to ensure a well-fitting cover.

Once you have the width and length, you can calculate the dimensions of your fabric. Here’s the formula:

• Fabric Length: Body pillow length + 4 inches (for seam allowances and ease)
• Fabric Width: (Body pillow width x 2) + 2 inches (for seam allowances and ease)

Example: If your body pillow is 50 inches long and 20 inches wide:

• Fabric Length: 50 inches + 4 inches = 54 inches
• Fabric Width: (20 inches x 2) + 2 inches = 42 inches

Therefore, you would cut a piece of fabric that is 54 inches long and 42 inches wide.

Step 2: Prepare the Fabric and Add Fringe (Optional)

Take your fabric to your ironing board. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Iron the fold flat. Unfold the fabric. On each short side (the top and bottom), fold over 1/2 inch of the fabric towards the wrong side and iron flat. This creates a clean hemline.

If you’re adding fringe, now is the time. Imagine your fabric is an open book, with the lengthwise fold acting as the spine. With the spine running vertically, you’ll be attaching the fringe to the top and bottom edges of the right-hand “page” of the book.

Cut your fringe in half, creating two equal pieces. Lay one piece of fringe along the top ironed hem, and the other along the bottom ironed hem, with the fringe facing inwards towards the center of the fabric. Pin the fringe in place, ensuring it’s securely attached to the hem. To prevent fraying, fold the ends of the fringe underneath itself before pinning.

Take your fabric to your sewing machine and use a straight stitch to sew along the hem, securing the fringe in place. Repeat for both pieces of fringe.

Step 3: Attach the Velcro Closure

Next, we’ll add the Velcro closure. If you’re using sticky-back Velcro, peel off the backing and carefully attach one side of the Velcro to the right-hand “page” of the fabric, near the open edge. Attach the opposite Velcro piece to the left-hand “page,” aligning it with the first piece.

For added durability, it’s highly recommended to sew around the perimeter of each Velcro piece, even if you’re using sticky-back Velcro. This will ensure the closure remains secure, even with frequent use and washing. Use a straight stitch on your sewing machine to sew around the edges of the Velcro.

Step 4: Sew the Pillow Cover Together

Almost there! Fold your fabric in half lengthwise again, along the ironed crease created in Step 2, but this time with the *wrong sides facing out*. Pin the long side of the body pillow cover together, aligning the edges carefully.

Use a straight stitch on your sewing machine to sew the long side shut, creating a seam allowance of about 1/2 inch. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure the stitches.

Now, turn the pillowcase right-side out. Pin along the short side *without the Velcro closure*. Use a straight stitch to sew down the short side, closing the pillow on that end. Again, use a 1/2 inch seam allowance and backstitch at the beginning and end.

And that’s it! Your DIY body pillow cover is complete.

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Now comes the slightly challenging part: getting the pillow cover onto the actual body pillow. Many find this to be the most awkward part of the process! Here’s a tip: turn the pillowcase inside out first. Then, with your hands inside the case, grab the pillow and turn the case right-side out over the pillow. This method usually works like a charm.

Body pillows are often a hit with pets! If you have a furry friend, don’t be surprised if they take a liking to your new pillow. Be prepared for some extra cuddles (and maybe some pet hair!).

Do you sleep with a body pillow? What are your preferences for body pillow covers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.