DIY Fringed Dish Towel Pillow Cover

Perhaps you hadn't noticed, but I have a thing for pretty fabric. I don't know when it started, this obsession of mine, all I know is that I love being surrounded by beautiful patterns.

I mix checks and stripes with flowers, big and small.

There are valances on every window, skirts on tables and chairs, pleats covering my glass cabinets and pillows everywhere.

Oh those pillows.

I think they may be my favorite way to accent a room.

And since they're small and easy to make, I can get my new fabric fix easily and inexpensively.

My favorite.

Today's fringed kitchen towel pillow cover is a perfect example.

I was in JoAnn's looking around for material to cover my Christmas placemat pillow and I came across this brightly colored dish towel.


The green was the exact same tone as the green in my bedroom and newly redecorated master bath. Interesting.

It also had some bold colors and a cute saying about gardens, appropriate for spring and summer. Even better.

Plus, it was on sale for $2.99. Sold.

Now, if you've seen my Easter Bunny Pom Pom pillow you know I've already cheated my way to a great pillow without the extra step of adding trim, by using a kitchen towel.

Pom poms and fringe, trim of any kind really, make such a difference in design. Unfortunately, adding it can be tedious and annoying. At least that's how I feel.

Anyone else?

Well, if you feel the same, you're going to love this pillow.

Not only is the trim already attached, but I made this pillow with two quick passes through the machine. Two.

How To Make An Easy Fringed Kitchen Towel Pillow Cover

As I said, I already made one of these dish towel pillow covers last year, but I wasn't thrilled with the way I closed it up.

So this time, I came up with a better plan.

And it's actually an easier plan, because it only involves those two seams. Plus the fringe really stands out this way.

Originally, I was going to cover my Christmas pillow, but at the store I noticed the inserts were 50% off, so I bought a new one...a 12x12 square which worked out really well for my needs.

1. Measure It Out

I started by laying my towel out, printed side down, placing my pillow on it and folding the sides in to get a proper size. They needed to be even with the pillow width, so it'd be tight when I stitched it up. No wrinkles allowed.

2. Wrap It Up

Next, I wrapped the pillow in the towel, bottom first, then top, so it overlapped. I made sure the top did not get pulled all the way down on purpose. I had the fringe float an inch or two from the bottom. Then I pinned it together.

3. Sew It Up

I turned it inside out and ran it through the machine on the two open sides. If you don't sew, you can use an iron on tape to close up those sides, as well. I don't recommend fabric glue, I like the fusible web (like this kind) much better.

4. Flip It

At this point, I just flipped it back, so it was right side out. Note the very big opening at that flap. That is where you will place your pillow. Also note the fact that I didn't stitch the folded ends of the towel with the fringe in place. That's fine, once I stuffed the pillow they were snug.

5. Stuff It

And that's what I did. I stuffed my pillow inside that opening and then I fluffed it until it all looked smooth. I used my pinky finger to pop the corners out. Lastly, I pulled that bottom flap up and over the pillow and tucked it underneath the top fabric with the fringe.


When I was all done...and seriously, this took me all of about 5 minutes...I had a darling new spring home decor accent for my master bedroom.

A super sweet envelope pillow cover constructed in mere minutes. From an ordinary dish towel.


And I didn't even have to add that delicious trim, since it was already attached.

Fabulous.

Of course, along the way, I did make a pitstop at my desk and popped it on my new office chair. I couldn't resist...and while I loved the way it looked, it really was meant for my bed.


So I kept walking.

But don't worry.

I have a new pillow in the works for the chair.

It's much more appropriate for a kitchen space.

Although what could be more appropriate than a dish towel in a kitchen is beyond me.

Guess you'll just have to trust me.

Gotcha thinking now, don't I?