DIY Faux Fur Pillow Covers: Easy Home Decor Sewing Project

Faux fur pillows are one of the easiest ways to add a touch of luxury to any room — and they're surprisingly simple to make. With just half a yard of faux fur fabric and basic sewing skills, you can create designer-looking pillow covers for a fraction of the retail price. Here's how.

What You'll Need

Tools

• Craft knife or razor blade (for cutting faux fur)
• Cutting mat
• Sewing machine with walking foot
• Pins or sewing clips
• Fabric marker or chalk
• Lint roller

Choosing Your Faux Fur

Any faux fur will work, but here are some tips for choosing:

For beginners, short pile faux fur is the easiest to sew. For maximum visual impact, go with EOVEA's shaggy faux fur — the long pile creates a show-stopping pillow.

Step-by-Step: Envelope Back Pillow Cover (No Zipper)

This is the simplest method — no zipper, no special skills. The back overlaps so you can remove the insert for washing.

Step 1: Cut Your Pieces

For an 18" × 18" pillow cover:

• Front: Cut 1 piece of faux fur at 19" × 19" (includes 1/2" seam allowance on all sides)
• Back panels: Cut 2 pieces of backing fabric at 19" × 13" each (these overlap in the center)

Important: Cut faux fur from the back side using a craft knife — never scissors through the pile. See our How to Cut Faux Fur guide for the full technique.

Step 2: Hem the Back Panels

1. Take each back panel and fold one 19" edge over by 1/2", then fold again by 1/2" (double-fold hem).
2. Stitch along the fold to create a clean finished edge.
3. Repeat for the second back panel.

These hemmed edges will overlap in the center of the pillow back, creating the envelope opening.

Step 3: Layer the Pieces

1. Lay the faux fur front piece right side up on your table.
2. Place the first back panel right side down on top, aligning the raw edges with the top of the front piece. The hemmed edge faces the center.
3. Place the second back panel right side down, aligning with the bottom. The hemmed edge overlaps the first panel in the center.
4. Pin or clip around all four edges.

Tip: Tuck faux fur pile inward (away from the edges) as you pin. This prevents fibers from getting caught in the seam.

Step 4: Sew Around All Four Edges

1. Set your machine to a straight stitch, 3.0–3.5mm stitch length.
2. Attach a walking foot (highly recommended for faux fur).
3. Sew around all four edges with a 1/2" seam allowance.
4. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
5. Sew slowly — faux fur is thick and the machine needs time to feed it properly.

Step 5: Trim Corners and Turn

1. Clip the corners diagonally (cut off the corner triangle within the seam allowance) to reduce bulk.
2. Turn the pillow cover right side out through the envelope opening in the back.
3. Use a chopstick or turning tool to push the corners out fully.
4. Use a pin or needle to gently pull any trapped fur fibers out of the seam line. This hides the seam beautifully.

Step 6: Insert the Pillow

Fold the pillow insert in half, slide it through the envelope opening, and let it expand. Using a 20" insert in an 18" cover gives the pillow a plump, full look (the industry standard for professional-looking pillows).

Variation: Double Faux Fur (Both Sides)

Want faux fur on both sides? Simply use faux fur for the back panels too. The process is the same, but:

• Cut all pieces from faux fur (front + 2 back panels).
• Trim the pile in the seam allowance area of all pieces before sewing — this reduces bulk significantly.
• Use a slightly wider seam allowance (5/8") to account for the extra thickness.

Variation: Zippered Closure

For a cleaner back, install an invisible zipper instead of the envelope closure:

1. Cut one back piece the same size as the front (19" × 19").
2. Cut the back piece in half horizontally (two 19" × 9.5" pieces).
3. Install a 16–18" invisible zipper along the cut edges.
4. Sew the front and back together with the zipper partially open.
5. Turn right side out through the zipper opening.

Sizing Guide

Pro tip: Always buy the pillow insert 2 inches larger than the finished cover size. This overstuffing trick makes every pillow look professionally made.

Care Instructions

• Remove the insert before washing.
• Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, with mild detergent.
• Air dry flat — do not tumble dry.
• Brush gently with a wide-tooth comb or pet brush after drying to restore the pile.
• For more detailed care, see How to Wash Faux Fur.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much faux fur do I need for one pillow?

For a standard 18" × 18" pillow, you need about 1/2 yard of 60"-wide faux fur for the front. If you want faux fur on both sides, you'll need about 3/4 yard total.

Can I make faux fur pillows without a sewing machine?

Yes! You can hand-sew using a strong needle and backstitch. It takes longer but works fine. You can also use fabric glue for a truly no-sew version, though sewn pillows are more durable and washable.

Do faux fur pillows shed?

There may be slight shedding initially, especially with long-pile faux fur. This reduces significantly after the first wash. Pulling trapped fibers out of the seams after sewing helps minimize visible shedding.

What size pillow insert should I use?

Use a pillow insert that's 2 inches larger than your finished cover size. For an 18" × 18" cover, use a 20" × 20" insert. This creates a full, plump look.

Related Fabric Guides

• What Is Faux Fur Fabric? Types, Uses & How It's Made
• How to Cut Faux Fur Without Making a Mess
• How to Wash & Care for Faux Fur
• Best Fabric for Blankets
• Shop Faux Fur Fabric by the Yard

Shop all fabrics at EOVEA Fabric — premium craft and apparel fabric by the yard with fast USA shipping.