How to Make a Chic, Outdoor Pillow Cover (No Sewing Required!)
Transform an old, faded pillow into an outdoor accessory with this quick, no-sew project.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Transform an old, faded pillow into a chic outdoor accessory with this easy no sew project!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_COVER-h.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852363313.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Materials Needed
- 18"x18" pillow
- 2 yards indoor/outdoor fabric
- 6 yards pom-pom trim
- 3 hook and loop tape strips
- extra-strength fabric adhesive
- fabric fusing tape
- iron
- measuring tape
- ruler
- scissors
Measure Old Pillow
To recover an 18-by-18-inch pillow, it’s sometimes easier to remove the pillow cover and work with a pillow insert. You’ll also want to use your pillow's dimensions to determine how much trim your new design will require.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 1- Measure the Old Pillow
To recover a 18x18 inch pillow, keep in mind sometimes it’s easier to remove the pillow’s case or cover and work with a pillow insert. You’ll also want to use your pillow dimensions to determine how much trim your new design will require.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step1-measure-the-pillow.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1488852357454.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Iron Fabric
Smooth out the new fabric with an iron.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 2- Iron Fabric
Using a hot iron, smooth out the new fabric.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step2-iron-fabric.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852352236.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Cut Fabric
To recover an 18-by-18-inch pillow, cut out a 44-by-20-inch piece of indoor/outdoor fabric. Keep in mind, you’re adding extra width to accommodate for a one-inch seam on either side of the pillow.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 3- Cut Fabric
To recover an 18x18 inch pillow, cut out a 44 inch x 20-inch piece of indoor-outdoor fabric. Keep in mind, you’re adding extra width to accommodate for a one inch seam on either side of the pillow.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step3-measure-and-cut-fabric.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852361175.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Fold Fabric in Half
Fold the fabric in half (right sides facing each other) to recreate the square shape of the pillow. Allow one side to peek out about 4 inches. This will be the pillow's top flap.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 4- Fold It Over
Fold the fabric over on itself (right sides facing each other) to recreate the square shape of the pillow. Allow one side to peek out about 4 inches. This will be the pillow’s top flap.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step4-fold-it-over.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852355331.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Add No-Sew Tape
Roll out the sewing adhesive tape along each edge, stopping just shy of the 20-inch mark.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 5- Add No Sew Tape
Roll out the sewing adhesive tape along each edge, stopping just shy of the 20-inch mark.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step5-add-no-sew-tape.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852370340.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Fuse Side Seams
Fuse the side seams together with an iron.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 6- Fuse Side Seams
Then, using a hot iron fuse those side seams together.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step6-fuse-side-seams.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852358506.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Finish Top Edge
Roll out and cut a thinner piece of sewing tape to finish the top edge of the pillowcase. Fold over the fabric about a half inch, then fuse the pieces together with an iron.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 7- Finish Top Edge
Roll out and cut a thinner piece of sewing tape to finish the top edge of the pillow case. Fold over the fabric about a half inch, then fuse pieces together with a hot iron.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step7-finish-top-edge.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852358756.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Finish Flap Edges
First, flip the pillowcase over and begin working on the flap. Fold the side edges of the top 4-inch flap in slightly, then fold over the long, top edge about an inch. Use the sewing tape in the same manner as the previous steps so that the edges are finished. Once it's cool to the touch, you’re ready to turn the pillowcase right-side out so that all the seams you just created are hidden inside the pillowcase and on the inside of the flap/opening.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 8- Finish Flap Edges
First, flip the case over and begin work on the flap. Fold side edges of the top 4-inch flap in slightly, then fold over the long top edge about an inch. Use the sewing tape in the same manner as previous steps, so that the edges are finished. Once cool to the touch, you’re ready to turn the pillow case right-side out so that all the seams you just created are hidden inside the pillow case and on the inside of the flap/opening.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step8-finish-flap-edges.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852372091.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Add Closure Tabs
With the hook-and-loop tabs still attached to one another, pull the backing off one side and position each one sticky side down on the pillowcase (Image A). Keep the spacing the same between each one (about 4 inches apart). Next, remove the adhesive backing again and fold the fabric flap down onto the sticky tabs. Press firmly. (Image B). This is a quick and easy way to make sure that the hook-and-loop tabs line up correctly on the first attempt.
![Step 9- Add Closure Tabs With the hook and closure tabs still attached to one another, pull the backing off one side and position each one sticky side down on the pillow case. Keep spacing the same between each one](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step9-add-closure-tabs_a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852363281.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Image A
![Step 9- Add Closure Tabs Next, remove the adhesive backing again and fold the fabric flap down onto the sticky tabs. Press firmly. This is a quick and easy way to make sure that hook and loop closure tabs line up correctly on the first attempt!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step9-add-closure-tabs_b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852361502.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Image B
Add Fabric Glue
Using the straight edge of a ruler as your guide, squeeze out a thin line of fabric glue along the perimeter of the pillow, one side at a time.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Step 10- Add Fabric Glue
Using the straight edge of a ruler as your guide, squeeze out a thin line of fabric glue along the perimeter of the pillow, one side at a time.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step10-add-fabric-adhesive.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852364853.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Add Pom-Pom Trim
Cut the trim to size for each side of a square, then press into place atop the fabric glue. Hold the trim in place, allowing the glue to set. Start with the perimeter of the pillow, then create the innermost square of pom-pom trim (Image A). The middle square will be positioned correctly, midway between the outer and inner squares (Image B).
![Step 11- Add Pom-Pom TrimCut trim to size for each “run” or side of a square, then press into place atop the fabric glue. Hold the trim in place allowing the glue to set. Start with the perimeter of the pillow, then create the innermost square of pom-pom trim.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step11-add-pom-pom-trim_a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852365009.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Image A
![Step 11- Add Pom-Pom Trim The middle square will be positioned correctly- midway between the outer and inner squares. Now, you’re ready to place the old pillow or insert inside the new case, fold over the flap and secure with the hook/loop tabs. And it’s easy to remove for washing. Be sure to wash by hand and air dry this particular pillow cover.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_step11-add-pom-pom-trim_b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1488852365699.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
Image B
Finishing Touches
Now, you’re ready to place the old pillow or insert inside the new pillowcase, fold over the flap and secure with the hook-and-loop tabs. Plus, it’s easy to remove for washing. Just be sure to wash by hand and air-dry this handmade pillow cover.
![How to Make a Pom Pom Pillow Transform an old, faded pillow into a chic outdoor accessory with this easy no sew project!](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/3/6/1/Original-HSH17_BPF_Recover-Indoor-Pillows-For-Outside_COVER-v.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1488852354023.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza