Learn to sew seasonal pillow covers! Instead of buying (and storing!) new ones

[@PinCutSew]

Shop my improv quilting books here! www.etsy.com/shop/PinCutSewStudio?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=50854158 Digital versions of my books are also available here: www.etsy.com/shop/PinCutSewStudio?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&section_id=38752532

[@SmileyCat72]

I'm a hobbyist crafter with just a little experience with machine sewing and fabrics. I'm planning Christmas gifts for next year already and will be using my sewing machine a lot more. Do you pre-wash your fabrics before creating your projects?

[@janem3378]

Most obscure tool in sewing room........chocolate chips for desperate moments 😂

[@PinCutSew]

Haha!! It’s Dove chocolate for me.

[@dianeboettcher5775]

I love how you express your happiness about your projects: some of us only find faults with our creations. Your joyful attitude and artistic style is appreciated.

[@karenwhitley7211]

I love how you talk to us, then yourself, then us 😂😂.

[@juliatepe5760]

Who hasn't talked to themselves while creating?😂 Most obscure sewing tool, baking sheets to organize cut pieces of fabric. Which is fine until I want to bake and can't find all of the baking sheets. Then, hubby reminds me to check sewing area.

[@PinCutSew]

😆

[@marywilliams5262]

I love the way you teach. I appreciate your videos and would love it even if other people have videos on the same thing.

[@PinCutSew]

Aw, this is such a sweet comment, thank you 🤗

[@SharonBell6123]

Nikki’s are better 💕

[@ladonnamcalister1310]

I love learning new things! Thank you for being such a great fun teacher!❤

[@debbiebraatz1919]

Most unusual tools are magnetic “expandable wand” to pick up stray pins or my little scissors when I drop them and the wire mesh “office paper holders” on the wall that store my specialty rulers. Love the Christmas pillow covers! I’ve been meaning to go through my orphan blocks and make some pillow covers for the seasons, just haven’t gotten that far yet!❤

[@kimandrews9734]

A coworker gave me a telescoping magnet from his toolbox. I use it all the time. No more trying to pick up straight pins off the floor.

[@dale3404]

I bought one several months ago. I wish I’d had one for the last 50 years.

[@Greekkisses]

I think I'll have to go "borrow" my husbands from his tool bench lol.

[@jenniferbabel8603]

I have two obscure kitchen tools 1) wooden coffee mug tree for scissors 2) plate racks for acrylic rulers. 😊

[@normacooper6377]

I have 2 favorite tools that have helped tremendously with tricky sewing tasks. One is a long handled alligator clamp used for threading elastic, ribbon or string through a long channel or eyelets in a garment or drawstring bag/hoodie, sweatpants, etc. The other is a long metallic barrel flat sided turning tool with a ball end that was from RNK Distributors, I believe. I have broken or damaged several plastic or wooden turning tools and wrecked the seams in items I’ve sewn over the years. It’s happened much less after I bought this handy tool, though I even recently poked the corner too hard on a gift I was sewing/turning.😟 I guess I’ll never learn!😵‍💫

[@katelynstewart9035]

My obscure sewing tool is a spoon rest/jewelry tray for all the bits and bobs (small pattern pieces, ribbon scraps, wonder clips) and then I reorganize it all when the project is done!

[@BrigitteEmes]

Hand weights: 5 lbs to hold down my quilt ruler while cutting and 13 lbs to keep my bubble quilt from slipping off my sewing table. It was so unwieldy I needed the weight. It worked great. Love your channel and your amazing ideas!

[@tessahouse9960]

The improv house cover is super cute, absolutely love it!

[@DonnaBush-ul3gg]

These are amazing! And I think an improv flower book would be a great idea!

[@Noreenlee1]

I keep a grapefruit spoon in my sewing room. It is fabulous for closing the safety pins I use for sandwiching small quilts. The jagged edges grip the pin safely.

[@ceegee1070]

Ohh, I'll try this, I actually have a Grapefruit Spoon!

[@KathyM-c6i]

You asked about "obscure" items we use in our sewing rooms. I use vintage kitchen items from my childhood (I'm 66) in my sewing room: milk glass bowls for pins; carnival glass bowl that I made into a thread spool holder; painted metal cake caddy that I stack my hexies in; antique baskets to hold threads and other items; Victorian, wire, clawfoot tub, soap holder to hold small square rulers; large enameled pots for sorting scraps; small enameled icebox containers for items such as broken/bent pins, old needles, used rotary blades; large enameled bowls for holding selvages (for selvage quilts); glass icebox containers with lids to hold my rotary cutters, specialty pins, etc; vintage Ball jars for buttons; an antique, 4", wooden-handled screwdriver I use as a stiletto.. The list goes on and on. But I think the most obscure item is a vintage, rose gold, metal, pull-handle ice cube tray. I put small clips, rolled up ribbon, glue sticks, etc in it. I LOVE my sewing room :)

[@PinCutSew]

Your sewing room sounds beautiful!

[@Sewmena918]

Seasonal pillow covers are at the top of my list (along with placemats) for 2025 sewing. The tree is perfect. My phone is probably my most used every day item in my sewing room. I’m always taking a photo, looking up info or even using the flash light to find something. I don’t know how my grandma managed without an iPhone. 😂

[@PinCutSew]

Haha!

[@GABalvy]

Your "I'm gonna cry, it's so cute" is SO me lol! Love this tutorial, now I gotta make some covers too!! Thank you, Nikki! 💜

[@missyb.623]

I also keep lint rollers and chop sticks nearby. I like scotch tape to hold buttons when machine tacking them. My hand press roller thing for quilt blocks is actually a kitchen gadget even though they make them for sewing. I am going to have to look for a grapefruit spoon since I saw that comment below 😂 When I put my pillow covers on, I turn the long end inside out. Put the pillow in the short end, then turn the long end onto the pillow. I know the ends are equal length, but I think you know what I mean. Cute projects as always ❤

[@PinCutSew]

So smart! Trying that next time.

[@kellybrietzke9518]

I said I'd never quilt but your wonky quilting has me wanting to go for it! My obscure items would be also lint rollers but I bought 2 of the ones you can wash and reuse. They are sticky but then you can just rinse off the bits and run them across a microfiber towel to dry and use again and again. The other one is a small rechargeable hand-held vacuum. It was advertised for using in a car but I love it to clean off my cutting mat and lint and dust everywhere. Sometimes even my pant legs when I have little bits on them! Anyone else get that? Haha!

[@colleendarkow4949]

Great tutorial on the slipcovers. I made one last night and I’m so pleased with the fit and how smooth the back came out. Thank you.

[@CreativeStitchingwithAnn]

Absolutely love your window characters! What a wonderful idea. My mind is whirling now!! Decor that can be upcycled, downcycled, and recycled. Yes, please.

[@SueTrbovec]

the most obscure tool with me: my thumbnail: as I'm breaking down a lot of men's shirts out of the op shop ( I found a Christmas shirt with a surfing Santa :)) I use my thumbnail to straighten out the down seam before I cut along it to gain the shirt into fabric pieces. and I was breaking down a lot of them lately. Niki, I love Your channel❣ Your videos are so much fun, especially when You keep scenes that other people would have cut out. They are also very inspirational. You motivated me to try a House Quilt for myself (Your House Quilt is soo beautiful. And I finally learned why my pillow cases have been a little tight in the past. I'm looking forward to Your next video :) Thanks a lot for all Your beautiful and convenient projects, Sue from New South Wales, Australia🦘

[@PinCutSew]

Thank you Sue, I’m glad you’re here 🫶🏻

[@SharonBell6123]

I look forward to your videos SO MUCH !!! You’re my sewing teacher! Thank you, this is a great idea. We used to have Christmas pillows, but while storing them in a closed container in basement, they got mildewy ugh.

[@julieross546]

Those are adorable Nikki! They look so dang easy, gotta give them a try! Thank you!

[@thememorytravelerReset]

What a cute idea! This makes perfect gifts!!

[@beckyscheller9358]

Love the pillows. ❤I use a coffee cup to hold various things.

[@dale3404]

These projects are really cute. When we moved, I got rid of my fabric scraps because the new house is small (Too small. I’m looking for a bigger one). It looks like I need to take a trip ro Joanne! I recently bought a new comforter with shams. The envelope-style opening for the pillows was near one of the short edges, instead of near the middle, which makes inserting the pillows sooo much easier. I’ll never do an envelope back any other way.

[@savannahdavison1581]

Love it. I crochet the bobbles around when it's all finished

[@kimhanback1302]

I love your Christmas Tree pillow. I love wonky trees. I use a metal pan that I got in the automotive section at Harbor Freight to catch my pins and clips when I'm sewing and take them off.

[@shelliwade3883]

I love your videos. ❤ Most obscure tool in my sewing room is an old WW2 book of planes that was my grandfathers. I use it to keep all my blocks flat after I finish them 😂

[@ceegee1070]

❤

[@jojoremlap5031]

Adorable!! I love getting inspiration from you!!

[@zormier2002]

So cute! I love the tree pillow cover so much

[@zormier2002]

Yes! And I use my lint roller all the time too.

[@genawalter401]

These pillows are super cute! ❤

[@dianezybrands8250]

Thanks for another helpful and fun tutorial! 😉🎄📯

[@gggail]

So cute! ❤ i have a list of the projects I want to make that just keeps growing.....i may never have time to do housework again 😅😅

[@debbiebuttars5598]

Oh darn! Me too. 😊

[@ireneclai578]

My most unusual tool in my sewing area is a box cutter .

[@cheryleaston6820]

Love both pillows. TFS

[@autumnfoxandrabbitcrafts]

I really enjoyed this video, and after treating myself to an ergonomic rotary cutter, I've bought both your booklets in PDF form. I can't wait to start making...but I'll have to wait until the new year, as the desk currently is being used for Christmas stuff!!! Have a lovely weekend!!xx

[@womanboy3875]

Wonky presents would be cute under the tree. Maybe a few small Christmas colored buttons on the tree as ornaments….. just a few ideas.

[@PinCutSew]

Great idea 🙌🏻

[@nettez1157]

I Love LOve LOVE the house pillow cover! Too dang sweet! And the tree is soo cute! And Yes, I do have lint rollers in my craft space, I buy them a few at a time from the Dollar store. Another everyday item is towels. I keep them just for my craft space. One is a linen kitchen towel that I use to put over the top of anything that I want to spray with water but not directly and then press. The other is a white bath towel to sit my washed cross stitch on to let them dry.

[@Gbratt]

I use a long retractable light stick that’s magnetized……it picks up my many stray pins!!! Love your videos! I have seasonal door hangings, hadn’t thought of pillows but now will make some! Love yours! Thanks!!!❤️ 🏠 🌲

[@dale3404]

I like the seasonal door hangers. Great way to use up scraps. Do you have a pattern or any tips?

[@Gbratt]

@ I use 12” blocks, like Carol Thelan cardinal, a Christmas tree, snowman scene, heart, all appliquéd.,I found some in Pinterest, magazines or just googling 12” seasonal blocks. They are addictive. I’ve learned to be frugal and make the snowman with a heart as the backing….just turn the free-standing stand! Lol

[@nancymaddux2188]

Love the Row House Case!

[@Karen-gd1mu]

Great idea,and I love the Christmas tree design. I will definitely be doing this. Thank you.

[@jodieroundtree488]

I had really wanted to make seasonal pillow covers for my son's new house last year. This is spurring me on for 2025! (this would also make a great book). Getting your wonky houses book now cuz that is one cute holiday pillow! Maybe I get it done by next Christmas :) Looking for like a snowflake for January

[@tinatippin5705]

So cute! I love having pillow and foot stool covers to change. Thanks!

[@ginnyandersen8527]

Both pillows turned out great!

[@frontofficed.burnell-power6288]

I love the pillow cover, but want to do the same thing with grandkids for quilt as you go placemats for their mom. I'll bind :). Chop sticks and classical music for when I have to use my seam ripper.

[@tessahouse9960]

The improv tree pillow turned out so cute!❤

[@staceybailey1195]

So very cute!! I love both of the pillow covers.

[@lisarossnagel7815]

Adorable! Thank yoj for sharing. 😊

[@Thebug0821]

Love the pillow covers, great way to save money and use what you have.

[@Thebug0821]

I ordered your house book. Will have fun playing with houses.

[@blueiris6813]

I use a long plastic knitting needle for poking out corners.

[@lwest5686]

Obscure tool? Emery board. I'm always getting snaggy nails. Great music choices!

[@mariekairys3214]

obscure item/ use - kitchen fork - small one. Good to hold things down as i sew. Because it has multiple tines i can gradually move it out of the way as i sew the seam and still have the last tine on to hold the piece. Small one fits better since my machine does not have a big throat.

[@sararempel7956]

Imake seasonal cushion covers too. But i really like the scrappy tree and house one! Sooo cute🎉 merry Christmas

[@dollysadlak5242]

Adorable pillows❤

[@elainelear4982]

I have been making extra covers for my sons' pillows. They live far away and shipping a cover versus a whole pillow is much better. Thank you for the ideas.

[@terryprange2980]

I use a cuticle tool from dollar tree as my stylo.

[@donnaweatherholt1541]

This was a great tutorial.❤

[@dianehall9940]

Loved this video, Nikki. I made the tree pillow and it was a lot of fun. I usually follow patterns to the letter but this was so freeing! I plan to make pillow covers for each season now. Thanks and Merry Christmas from PA!

[@auntiezann5146]

These pillow covers are fabulous! Really a great idea! I can’t pick a favorite!😳

[@cindygrim3060]

I have 3 lint rollers placed around my sewing room ❤

[@kendranewton9071]

That wonky tree is so pretty, thanks!😊 jellybeans are almost always in my sewing room!

[@darcyspellman8722]

Such an inspiration! You inspire me to be wonky. 😂 I couldn’t live without my Dustbuster is my sewing room. Is amazing how many threads there are at the end of the day!

[@Amritadivya]

I have a confession: I kind of delayed watching this video because I thought-"I know how to make a pillow cover". Well I learned a lot--I especially like the idea of cutting the back pieces on the fold. I never really liked the look of the hems and the backs sometimes are a bit thin. Favorite sewing tool is school glue!!!

[@marywilliams5262]

Great idea! The pillow backing fabric you used is my favorite for santa beards and snow drifts.

[@SuzanneStutzle]

I love these. You have really inspired me. I too love all different pillows for all different seasons. I think it's time I got organised and be a copy cat. Thank you Nikki, I always enjoy your videos.

[@Brenda-r7t]

Grapefruit spoon to use with appliqués 🥰 and corners

[@PinCutSew]

You’re the second person to say a grapefruit spoon and for different reasons! I’ll have to move mine to the sewing room.

[@kimberlykring2475]

So creative!

[@BarbBateman]

I absolutely love these ideas. I will be making some of them . I love how creative you are, Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

[@janjohannsen9837]

That tree cover is adorable ❤️! I never knew how to cover pillows in this way, so thank you! I also keep a lint roller in my sewing room! 🎄

[@susanwoodcarver]

Loved this! I'm terrible in the sewing room, but that doesn't stop me. I will definitely be making slip covers for my pillows because you explained this so well. Thank you and Merry Christmas! Best wishes.

[@barbolson8768]

Hi Nikki, I love your videos ! I am really drawn to anything with little houses on it. The tree is adorable. I need to get my scraps out and do something with them. I need to spruce up my pillows, they are so boring. Cheers from Canada.

[@sandramurdoch-le9vj]

So so cute Nikki🤶🏼 I’m finished all my Christmas bags now so I will make some of these gorgeous pillow covers. PS🫢 can wait for the rest of the fish quit tutorial🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟😂

[@barbmckinlay5108]

Definitely making this. Also a book pillow for my granddaughters bday. My “obscure” tool is probably a chopstick for turning and poking out corners. Thank you Nikki.

[@PinCutSew]

That’s what I use too! 😁

[@bcjulieg]

I love your videos, I think because your a little wonky 😂 but so am I. Very inspiring.

[@Lattesmom3]

I needed this!! My kind of Xmas project! Thank you for sharing with us ❤❤❤

[@erynngraf1517]

Great ideas, love the pillow cover option to save on space

[@dragonfliesfordonna2112]

I ❤ your creativity

[@leanichols6824]

Nikki, these pillows are so cute!! What a fun project to do. I'm definitely going to try this. Thank you.

[@JeanMcDoniel]

I LOVE the tree!

[@lesa6399]

Being a wonky person I Love your improv House booklet!

[@dot7146]

Cute pillows!! You are inspiring 😉🎄

[@suzanneramsay7757]

I would say obscure would be glue. It’s such a concept. I end up using pins and remember later that glue works well for me. I just need to remember to be easy instead of heavy handed with it.

[@teresaparmelee3319]

❤ Thank you. Excited to make some Christmas Pillows.

[@kathypatrick427]

❤Love your videos! Merry Christmas to you and your family!❤

[@PinCutSew]

Merry Christmas to you too! 🎄

[@mignonnerogers6848]

I love the pillow covers!!! 🥰

[@AbigailBray-h7w]

I have a pair of hemostats I got from work that I use all the time to pull threads out of hard to reach places

[@dinacervantes9403]

Love the projects you are so creative ❤

[@inahart-le7mt]

Love this, Thanks for sharing, Merry Christmas.

[@cookecreeksheep]

I do keep a lint roller next to my machine. While machine quilting and binding I roll repeatedly so once I am done, it’s ready to go.

[@peacewithme547]

Yours are so cute ..mine not so much. 😂 need to build a stash.

[@aprilbak4726]

Omg those are so cute. I will have to make some

[@kelliecorum5427]

❤ TFS

[@carolinefortheloveofcrochet]

Love the tutorial ❤🙏🏼😊

[@msramona60]

Can You show us how to make a bolster pillow cover?

[@kimpoper3711]

Super Fun!

[@SharonBell6123]

ALSO I don’t know quilting or quilting terms, but I love those houses and I want to do that!

[@Sewmena918]

You can do it! I didn’t know either until this year and now I have made two quilts. 😊

[@SharonBell6123]

@@Sewmena918 aww thank you!