Euro Sham Pillows are a fantastic way to elevate the look of any bedroom or living space. These large, square pillows add a touch of sophistication and comfort, and you might be surprised at how simple they are to make yourself. If you’re new to sewing and looking for an easy project, crafting your own euro sham pillow is the perfect place to start. This guide will walk you through creating a beautiful euro sham pillow cover, even if you’re just getting acquainted with your sewing machine.
Close-up of a finished euro sham pillow showcasing its flange and texture
Euro shams are recognized by their generous size and square shape, typically ranging from 26×26 inches to 28×28 inches. They are often used as decorative back pillows on beds, adding layers of texture and color. This tutorial focuses on creating a euro sham pillow with a flange – that decorative border that adds an extra element of style. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner; this project is designed to be straightforward and enjoyable, perfect for practicing basic sewing skills and creating something beautiful for your home.
Materials You’ll Need to Sew a Euro Sham Pillow
Before you begin, gather your supplies. For each euro sham pillow, you will need:
- Fabric: 1 and 3/4 yards of your chosen fabric. Home decor fabric is an excellent choice because of its durability and thickness, but any fabric that suits your style will work. Consider cotton, linen, or even upholstery fabric depending on the look you want to achieve.
- Sewing Machine: A standard sewing machine is essential for this project.
- Plastic Collar Stays: This is a clever trick to keep your pillow flanges crisp and prevent them from drooping.
- Fabric Glue: To secure the collar stays in place.
- Euro Sham Pillow Insert (28×28 inch): For a plump and well-filled pillow, we recommend using an insert that is slightly larger than the finished cover size. A 28×28 inch insert works perfectly for a cover designed to be approximately 26×26 inches after adding flanges.
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter: For precise fabric cutting.
- Measuring Tape or Ruler: Accuracy is key in sewing.
- Iron and Ironing Board: For creating crisp folds and seams.
- Pins: To hold fabric pieces together before sewing.
- Thread: Matching thread to your chosen fabric.
For fabric inspiration, the original author used a Robert Allen “Handcut Shapes” fabric, which is a 55-inch wide home decor fabric. Remember that fabric width will affect how much yardage you need, so always check the width when purchasing your material.
Step-by-Step Guide: Sewing Your Euro Sham Pillow Cover
Let’s get started with the sewing process. We’ll be making a euro sham pillow cover with an envelope closure for easy removal and cleaning.
1. Cutting Your Fabric Pieces
Lay your fabric out on a flat surface and use your measurements to cut the following pieces for each pillow cover:
- One 29 x 29-inch square: This will be the front piece of your euro sham pillow cover.
- Two 29 x 24-inch rectangles: These will form the envelope closure on the back of the pillow cover.
Accurate cutting is important for a professional-looking finish, so take your time and measure carefully.
Fabric pieces cut for a euro sham pillow cover, showing a large square and two rectangles
2. Sewing the Envelope Closure Edges
Now, we’ll prepare the envelope closure on the two 29 x 24-inch rectangular pieces.
- Take one of the 29 x 24-inch fabric rectangles. On one of the long edges (the 29-inch side), fold the fabric over by about half an inch to one inch towards the wrong side of the fabric. Iron this fold flat.
- Fold over the same edge again by the same amount, encasing the raw edge within the fold. Iron flat again.
- Sew along this folded edge close to the inner fold to create a clean, finished hem.
- Repeat this process for the second 29 x 24-inch rectangle. You should now have two rectangles with finished hems along one long edge each.
3. Assembling the Euro Sham Pillow Cover
With the hems completed, it’s time to assemble the pillow cover.
- Lay the 29 x 29-inch square piece of fabric right side up (printed side facing up if applicable).
- Place one of the 29 x 24-inch rectangles on top of the square, right side down (printed side facing down), aligning one of the un-hemmed 29-inch edges with the top edge of the square. The hemmed edge should be towards the center of the square.
- Place the second 29 x 24-inch rectangle on top of the square and the first rectangle, right side down, aligning one of its un-hemmed 29-inch edges with the bottom edge of the square. The hemmed edge should overlap the hemmed edge of the first rectangle in the center, creating the envelope closure.
You should now have a fabric sandwich with the right sides of the fabric facing inwards and the hemmed edges overlapping in the middle.
- Pin all four edges of the fabric sandwich together to secure them for sewing.
- Sew around all four edges of the pinned square with a ½ inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to secure the seams.
4. Creating the Flange and Adding Collar Stays
If you want a simple euro sham without flanges, you can turn your sewn cover right side out at this point, and you’re finished! However, to add the stylish flange and prevent floppy edges, follow these steps:
- Turn the sewn pillow cover right side out.
- On the right side of the pillow cover, use a ruler or measuring tape to mark a line 2 inches in from each edge, all the way around the pillow. You can use pins or fabric chalk to mark this line.
Marking a two-inch line around the edge of the pillow cover to create the flange
- Now for the secret to perky flanges: collar stays! Take your plastic collar stays and apply fabric glue to both sides of each stay.
- Position the collar stays just inside the marked 2-inch line, along the inner edge of where you want your flange to be. Place them on the wrong side of the fabric, ensuring they are evenly spaced around the perimeter of the pillow cover. Let the fabric glue dry completely.
Close-up showing collar stays being glued to the inside of the pillow cover flange area for structure
- Once the glue is dry, carefully sew along the 2-inch marked line, stitching through all layers of fabric. This seam will create the flange and encase the collar stays within the flange edge, providing structure and preventing drooping.
5. Finishing Your Euro Sham Pillow
- Turn your euro sham pillow cover inside out again through the envelope closure.
- Gently push out the corners for a sharper finish.
- Insert your 28×28 inch euro sham pillow insert through the envelope opening.
And there you have it – a beautifully handmade euro sham pillow with crisp, stylish flanges!
Finished euro sham pillows in blue, orange, and white, styled on a bed
Tips for Perfect Euro Sham Pillows
- Oversized Inserts are Key: Always use pillow inserts that are 1-2 inches larger than your finished pillow cover dimensions. This ensures a full, plump look and avoids saggy, underfilled pillows. For a 26×26 inch finished cover, a 28×28 inch insert is ideal.
- Down vs. Polyester Inserts: Down inserts offer a luxurious, soft feel and can be easily fluffed. While they are more expensive than polyester fill inserts, their quality and longevity often make them a worthwhile investment. Polyester inserts can become flat over time.
- Fabric Choice Matters: For euro shams, consider the weight and texture of your fabric. Home decor fabrics, linens, and heavier cottons tend to hold their shape well and offer a more upscale look.
- Press as You Sew: Ironing seams flat as you go will make a significant difference in the final appearance of your euro sham pillow. Crisp seams and folds contribute to a professional finish.
Creating your own euro sham pillows is a rewarding project that adds a personal touch to your home decor. With these simple steps and a few clever tricks, you can easily craft beautiful, custom euro sham pillows that enhance any room. Enjoy your newly sewn creations!
