ADD A PLAYFUL TOUCH TO YOUR SEASONAL DECOR WITH THESE WHIMSICAL QUILTED PILLOWS!
Pinwheel pillow covers are such a fun way to add a little handmade charm to your space, especially when you’re working with festive fabric. These ones remind me of peppermint candies, with their bold swirls and bright colours—perfect for Christmas, but just as sweet any time of year.
If you’ve got two 20-inch squares of fabric, you’re well on your way to making a cheerful pair of pinwheel pillow covers. Let me walk you through just how simple they are to put together!
Supplies for Pinwheel Pillow Covers
You don’t need much to get going on this project! Here is a list of what I’ve used:
- Fabric – You’ll need two 20-inch squares of coordinating fabric for the pillow fronts. For the back envelope closure, you can use one of the prints from the front or a different fabric altogether. You’ll need two pieces of fabric measuring 18 ½” x 15″ for each pillow, so four pieces in total. The finished size of these pillow covers is 18 inches square.
- Sewing machine
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Iron and pressing mat
- Pillow inserts – 18-inch
You can see my YouTube video here for how to put together your pinwheel pillow covers!
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to my YOUTUBE CHANNEL so you never miss a project!
To get the step-by-step instructions, continue reading below.
FABRIC + NOTIONS FOR EVERY PROJECT
From charm packs and jelly rolls to rulers and thread, Fat Quarter Shop is packed with everything a quilter or sewist could need. It’s one of my first stops when planning a project.
Instructions for Pinwheel Pillow Covers
Start by cutting your squares for the pillow fronts. You will need two 20-inch squares of coordinating fabric. Try to choose fabrics that work well together but have high contrast. This will allow the pinwheel to be more visible.
Layer the two fabrics with right sides together and stitch around all four sides. You do not need to leave an opening, as we will be cutting the squares, not turning them right sides out. Press your seams to set them.
Next, you will cut your squares. You will make four cuts in total – two diagonal from top left to bottom right, then top right to bottom left. You will also cut horizontally and vertically in the middle, so in this case, at the 10-inch mark. This will create eight half-square triangle pieces.
Press all your triangles with the seams toward the dark fabric. Be sure to press all the seams in the same direction so that they will nest together nicely in the next step.
Separate your triangles – four will have the darker colour on the left, and four will have the darker colour on the right. You will use four triangles for each pillow cover.
Starting with the four triangles that have the dark fabric on the left, create a square. Be sure that your fabrics alternate between light and dark to form the pinwheel, as shown below.
Pinwheel blocks are one of the most fun and easy quilt blocks!
Now you can stitch them together, first by stitching two pieces along the short edge, followed by the next two. Finally, stitch down the centre to create your pinwheel pillow cover front. Press your seams.
Repeat these steps for the second pinwheel pillow cover.
To prepare the envelope backing, you will cut two pieces from your backing fabric measuring 15” x 18 ½”. On one backing piece, fold the long edge (the edge that measures 18 ½”) under ½” and press. Fold under ½” again and press. Topstitch along the edge of the fold. Repeat for the second backing piece. Place the pillow front right side up on your work surface and place both envelope pieces right sides down on top of the pillow front. The topstitched edges should overlap in the middle, with raw edges lined up with the pillow front.
Sew around the entire pillow with a ¼” seam, turn it right side out and press.
And that’s all there is to it! These super-cute Christmas pinwheel pillow covers are a family favourite in our home and I’m sure they will be in yours as well!
For more fun pillow covers, be sure to check out these:
Want to remember this? Save “How to Make Pinwheel Pillow Covers: Quick + Simple Quilted Project” to your favourite Pinterest boards and share the fun!
