Simple DIY Bath Towel Pillow Covers: My Easy, Step By Step Guide

Today I am sharing a simple guide to creating your own DIY throw pillows using bath towels!

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Happy New Year friends! I guess I’ll start this New Year off by admitting something to you guys. I wish I could blame this on the pregnancy hormones, but unfortunately it happens every single year. Maybe some of you will roll your eyes, but maybe some can relate. Soooo here it is:

Taking down my Christmas decorations makes me cry.

I know, I know. It’s silly. Maybe pathetic even.

Guys believe me, if I could rip it down care-free and excited for a fresh start I would! Instead, I look around and I miss the twinkling lights, the magical glow at night, the stockings hanging on the mantle. I’m never ready for it to end. And yes, I do realize we are halfway through January, HA! I just love the whole Christmas season so much, and when the last bin was brought to the basement and the last needle vacuumed up, I looked around and I knew I needed some winter decor that would brighten my spirits.

Typically I stick to neutral colors when it comes to winter decorating, but as I dug through my stash of faux greenery looking for inspiration, I came upon some pink peonies that I used in my sunroom this past summer. Like most flowers, peonies aren’t in season right now. But since you can still find them in most floral shops even in the dead of winter, I figured – why not?

I mixed my flowers with some fresh and faux pine, and I became inspired. While I’ve never used pink in my decor, the color made me smile and it brought something bright and fresh into my home.

About a week later I went shopping with my husband looking for a bit more pink. I didn’t want to go overkill, I just wanted subtle touches here and there to tie into my flowers.

First, I came upon some art at Hobby Lobby in the clearance section…

Then, while strolling through Target, I discovered one lonely bath towel sitting on a shelf all by itself. It was the last one there, and it had the prettiest floral print with gray, taupe, and blush-colored accents. The light bulb went off.

Since this didn’t feel like a typical and thick terrycloth towel, I decided to make some pillows with it! The great part about this DIY pillow cover tutorial is that any towel would work: tea towels, dish towels or old towels laying around the house can be cut into new pieces of fabric and sewn into new simple pillow covers haha

For $12.99, I made two, 20×20 square pillow covers as well as a small lumbar-style pillow for my entry bench. Now guys, I am NO seamstress. I sew new pillow inserts and curtains, and that’s about it! If I can do this little sewing project, anyone can! Here’s the full tutorial what I did:

Step 1:

First, I used a throw pillow cover that I already had as a pattern, since I knew it fit my insert perfectly. The cover measured 20 inches by 20 inches, so I added an inch (21×21) to allow for the seam.

Step 2:

I used my first cutout as a pattern for my second 21×21 inch square, and with the leftover material I simply used it to cover a small lumbar pillow I already had.

Step 3:

For the back of my decorative pillow, I knew I wanted to do an envelope enclosure. I found an old white sheet that I kept (perfect for projects like this) and I took advantage of the already seamed edge.

I cut out four rectangles that were 21 inches wide and roughly 15 inches tall (about 3/4 of the pillow height), making sure the sewn edge was 21 inches.

Step 4:

Next, I began pinning. Remember that while you sew, you are viewing the inside of the pillow. After sewing you will turn the outside, in (if that makes sense)!

I laid the 21×21 inch floral piece down facing me, then overlapped two of my white sheet cutouts, making sure the the seamed edges were both in the middle of the pillow.

I repeated this process for my second pillow, and then I pinned push pins each corner and also where my envelope overlapped.

Step 5:

Sew away!! If you don’t have a sewing machine, you could always use a peel and stick fabric fuse tape or even an iron on adhesive tape! I’ve used tapes before and they work great! You could also use fabric glue, or a just a simple needle and thread and hand stitch the pillow!

Step 6:

I cut some of the excess fabric outside of my seam so that it wasn’t too bulky inside my pillow. If my cuts had been more professional, this step wouldn’t be necessary!!

Step 7:

Turn your pillow outside in, and add your insert!! You can use an existing pillow or use fold in some stuffing.

Didn’t they turn out pretty? I love the soft blush-y hues and the way they compliment my home decor.

I love the way the little lumbar pillow turned out, too! Maybe next time I’ll even add some decorative buttons.

I love how the pillows compliment all of my greens and florals…

Let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

PIN IT FOR LATER