How To Sew a Mitered Corner Pillow Flange

As much as I like ruffles you just can’t put ruffles on every pillow.

Well, I suppose you can…because they sure are cute…but it’s not necessarily a good idea.

When making a collection of pillows I like to mix it up a bit and one of my favorites is to use a mitered corner flange out of a contrasting fabric. It’s nice, crisp and tailored and a great counterpoint to the ruffles.

First off, though, I’m going to preface this by saying this is how I sew a mitered corner flange.

I honestly have no idea if this is the easiest or best way. This is my “I need to miter a corner/self-taught/before I discovered blogs or Pinterest” version of how to make a mitered corner flange. 🙂

The finished width of this particular flange was to be 3″ wide.
The flange is cut 4″ wide to allow for 2 @ 1/2″ seam allowances.

Now…the length of the flange can be cut to precisely the correct length based on the size of your pillow.
Personally, I never trust myself with this measurement and it always seems to tax my brain to figure it out exactly so I always cut the flange piece longer than necessary.

If my pillow cover is cut @ 20″ I would cut my flange piece 4″ x 30″

You will need 8 flange pieces per pillow cover. 4 for the front and 4 for the back.

Pin two flange pieces right sides together.
Measure in 4″, the width of your flange, and make a mark on the wrong side of your fabric.
*If your flange is cut @ 3″ you will measure in 3″. 

Mark the fabric at 4″ in.
Mark 1/2″ down from the edge of the fabric to leave open for your seam allowance.

Using a ruler, line up the ruler from the corner of your fabrics through your 1/2″ mark to the 4″ mark.

Draw a line from the corner of your flange piece to the 1/2″ mark.

Stitch your flange pieces together beginning at the 1/2″ mark to the corner of the flange.

Repeat for each pair.

Trim seam allowance to 1/2″ on each mitered corner.

Finger press open.

To attach the flange to your pillow line up the open 1/2″ corner of your miter with the corner of your pillow fabric.

Pin in place.

This pic shows how the corners match up.

Begin stitching one flange piece to the pillow face using a 1/2″ seam allowance.
*You will be stitching with the wrong side of the flange facing up.

Stop stitching 1/2″ from the edge of your pillow face.

Go back to your mitered corner. Flip the fabrics over and sew the second half of your flange to the pillow cover.
*This time you will be stitching with the wrong side of the pillow fabric facing up.

REPEAT with the second pair of flanges on the opposite corner of your fabric.

When you finish this step you will have all four flanges sewn to the pillow face but only 2 mitered corners.
Two corners will still be open.

If you are a perfectionist with your math it is possible to miter all your corners prior to sewing the flange to your pillow.

This have NEVER happened for me.

So to avoid the heartache and frustration I cut my flanges longer than necessary.
Hence the next step.

Trim the excess fabric from your flange.
Allowing for the 1/2″ seam allowance your 4″ piece is now 3.5″ wide. You will need 3.5″ extra on each piece.

Turn your pillow cover over, place the 3.5″ flange pieces right side together and stitch your mitered corner.
You can mark your fabric with a pen and ruler or just eyeball it. 🙂

Repeat with the opposite corner.

REPEAT process for the back side of your pillow cover.

Iron your mitered seam open and flat.
Iron seam between your flange and pillow face pushing seam towards the flange.
DO NOT iron this seam open.

Here’s where I show you I placed a zipper in this pillow but failed to take any pictures of the process in order to show you how it’s done.

Basically, the back side of this pillow cover was cut to allow for a zipper 2″ from the bottom. Once the zipper was in place I attached my flanges. 

When all the flanges have been sewn in place you’re almost finished!

Place your two flanged pillow faces right sides together matching up each mitered corner.

Stitch together with a 1/2″ seam allowance.

Trim corners.

Turn pillow cover right sides out and iron flat.

The last step is to top stitch all the way around your pillow just at the seam between your flange and the pillow cover. 

Notice: the photo shows the pillow cover before it is sewn together. This is just to show you where to stitch. Make sure you sew this step after the pillow cover has been sewn together. 

I like to pin the pieces just to make sure they don’t “crawl” while stitching and to make sure I have the two seam allowances (from the back and front of the pillow) lined up correctly. 

Top stitch all the way around your pillow cover. Insert your pillow form and you’re done!

 

Here’s a couple of examples of how well the flanged pillow work mixed in with ruffles.

Visit The Gallery for more Pillow and Window Treatment Inspiration!

 

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