Learn how to add a cute crochet edge to a plain pillow case to create an adorable custom throw pillow. It’s a fun way to add color and texture to simple home decor accents.
I can never have too many throw pillows. I love to collect them, and of course, I have plenty of DIY pillows in my collection. I have sewn pillows and crocheted pillows but this was my first experiment with combining crochet and sewn fabric cases. I love the way it turned out!
This crochet edge project is a great way to easily dress up a ready-made pillow case and make it unique to you and your home.
Supplies needed to make your own crochet edge pillow:
- 16 inch Pillow Insert
- Square Throw Pillow Cover
- Crochet Hooks (1.50 mm and 3.00 mm)
- Craft Thread (I used 5 skeins for my edging)
- White Heat Transfer Material
- Silhouette Cameo (or other electronic cutter)
- My “You Are My Sunshine” Design – (Studio file or SVG)
Step One – Add Crochet Edging.
For the first round of the edging, you will start with the 1.50 mm hook. The tip of this hook is so small you can use it to pierce straight through the fabric of the pillow case.
Start by piercing the hook through the edge of the pillow case and drawing up a loop. Work a single crochet, chain one, and then insert your hook into the fabric to work another single crochet stitch. You will continue in this pattern (single crochet, chain 1) around the entire outer edge of the pillow case. Don’t stress too much about spacing them perfectly, but aim for about a quarter inch between each single crochet.
When you get to the zipper, you have to make sure your stitches go on only one side of the zipper. Open the zipper and pinch the fabric on one side to create a little fold close to the zipper. Continue to work in the single crochet, chain one pattern through that fold instead of over the edge of the pillow case. (See the image below.)
When you get to the other side of the zipper, continue working on your pattern over the edge of the pillow case again. When you reach a corner, chain two and work a single crochet through the fabric on the next side of the case.
When you get back to where you began, slip stitch into your first single crochet stitch. Chain one, and work a single crochet stitch into that same stitch. We will do one more roll of shell stitches around the case to give it a pretty little scalloped edge.
Skip one chain one space, and work 5 double crochet stitches into the next chain one space. Then, skip one chain one space, and work a single crochet stitch into the next chain one space. That’s your first shell!
Continue working these shells all the way around the pillow case. You may need to adjust the spacing of your shells as you go around. If your single crochet stitches are closer together, you may want to skip two chain one spaces. Just do your best to space them out, and don’t stress about it too much.
Because everyone’s first row will have a different number of single crochet stitches, I can’t tell you exactly how many shells you will have on each side.
When you get to a corner, work one single crochet into that chain 2 space from the first round, chain one, turn your piece so the next side is face up, and work another single crochet stitch in that same chain two space. Then continue on with the shell stitch pattern.
When you get back to the first single crochet of this round, slip stitch to join and finish off your thread. Use a needle to weave in your ends and trim off the excess.
All done!
Step Two – Add Vinyl Lettering.
At this point, your pillow could be all done if you just want a solid color pillow with a pretty little crochet edge, but I decided to add a design to the front with heat transfer vinyl.
I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut my design, but feel free to cut your own design with scissors or a craft knife. If you want to use my design, start by opening the design in your Silhouette Studio software. Make sure the image is mirrored, and cut it using the Smooth Heat Transfer Material setting. When it is done, remove the excess vinyl, and you are ready to iron it onto the pillow case.
Position your design in the center of the pillow case, cover with a thin piece of cotton fabric, and using firm pressure, press down with your iron on a cotton setting for 15-30 seconds. Make sure each piece of the design gets covered. You can tell that the vinyl has properly adhered to the fabric when the grain of the fabric is visible through the vinyl.
Step Three – Add Pillow Insert.
Finally, when your crochet edging is completed and your vinyl has been added, you are ready to stuff in your pillow insert and enjoy your cute new crochet edge pillow!
This simple scalloped crochet edging is a technique you could add to any pillow case or thin blanket. It really makes something simple extra special. I hope you will give it a try!
Looking to perfect your crochet shell stitch? Click here for the full crochet shell stitch tutorial. Happy Making!
About Alexis
Alexis Middleton is a lifelong crafter/DIYer and blogger at Persia Lou. She started crafting at a young age. As a girl, she spent summers with her grandmother crocheting baby doll afghans, making coasters out of plastic canvas and yarn, and canning apricot jam. Today, Alexis spends a lot of time dreaming up and working on projects for her family’s home. She loves mixing traditional crafting techniques with a more modern aesthetic.
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Wow…….the idea is just awesome. Looking forward to making this. Thanks a lot for sharing such an idea.