No-Sew Pillow Covers: 15 Cozy Ideas Made From Tote Bags, Sweaters and Scraps

No-sew pillow covers are the fastest way to make a room feel brand new without spending much or touching a sewing machine. When the days get short and cold, a fresh pile of soft pillows on the sofa feels like a warm hug. Store bought covers can cost a small fortune, yet the best ones are hiding in your closet and linen drawer right now. An old flannel shirt, a pretty scarf, a canvas tote or a pair of tea towels can become a pillow in minutes with knots, buttons, fabric glue or iron on hem tape. Here are the coziest ideas to try this weekend..

No-Sew Pillow Covers for a Cozy Sofa Corner

Three pillows, three totally different looks, and not one stitch. A plaid square tied at the corners, a chunky knit made from an old sweater, and a canvas tote with its handles tied in a bow make a sofa corner look styled and warm. Mixing textures is the secret that makes it look expensive. Once you see how easy this is, you will want to swap your pillows for every season. Which look will you try first..

You will need: Pillow inserts, a mix of fabrics such as plaid, knit and canvas, fabric glue or iron on hem tape, scissors, an iron.

How to make it: 1. Pick three fabrics in one color family. 2. Make each cover with one of the methods below. 3. Arrange them from biggest at the back to smallest at the front.

Tote Bag Pillow

A plain canvas tote is one of the simplest no-sew pillow covers you can find. Slide in a pillow insert, fold the top down, and tie the handles in a neat bow. It was one of the clever ideas in a budget home hacks video on MSN that thousands of people liked. Paint a simple design on it first if you like. How many plain totes do you have in the closet?

You will need: A plain canvas tote bag, a pillow insert that fits snugly, optional fabric paint and a stencil.

How to make it: 1. Paint a design on the front if you want and let it dry. 2. Slide the insert inside. 3. Fold the top flap over and tie the handles in a bow.

Knotted Fleece No-Sew Pillow Covers

Fleece does not fray, which makes it the perfect fabric for tying. Cut two squares, snip fringe around the edges, and knot the strips together. Kids can help with this one, and it is a lovely gift. Buffalo check fleece looks cozy all winter long. What color fleece would match your room?

You will need: Two squares of fleece about 4 inches bigger than your pillow, a pillow insert, scissors, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Stack the fleece squares and cut a 2 inch square from each corner. 2. Cut 2 inch long fringe strips all around. 3. Tie the top and bottom strips together in double knots, adding the insert before you finish.

Tea Towel Envelope Pillow

Pretty tea towels are the right size for small pillows, and they come with finished edges. Fold one around an insert like an envelope and close it with buttons glued on or a strip of hook and loop tape. Striped towels give a fresh farmhouse feel. These no-sew pillow covers are perfect for a kitchen bench. Do you have a towel too pretty to dry dishes with?

You will need: A cotton tea towel, a small pillow insert, fabric glue or iron on hem tape, two buttons, hook and loop tape.

How to make it: 1. Wrap the towel around the insert with the ends overlapping on top. 2. Glue or tape the side seams closed. 3. Glue hook and loop tape under the flap and add buttons on top for looks.

Scarf Wrapped Pillow

A soft scarf can wrap a pillow just like a present. Lay the pillow in the center, fold the long sides over, and tie the ends in a knot at the front. You can switch scarves whenever you like. Patterned wool scarves look rich and cozy in winter. Which scarf have you not worn in years?

You will need: A large square or long scarf, a pillow insert, a safety pin.

How to make it: 1. Lay the scarf flat and place the pillow in the center. 2. Fold the top and bottom edges over the pillow. 3. Tie the side ends in a knot at the front and tuck in the tails with a pin.

Flannel Shirt Pillow With Buttons

An old flannel shirt makes the coziest cabin style pillow, and the buttons become the opening. Button it up, turn it inside out, and glue or iron the edges around a square. Keep the chest pocket on the front for charm. It is a sweet way to keep a loved one’s shirt around. Whose shirt would you turn into a pillow?

You will need: An old flannel shirt, a pillow insert, iron on hem tape or fabric glue, scissors, an iron.

How to make it: 1. Button the shirt and lay it flat with the buttons centered. 2. Cut a square through both layers, 1 inch bigger than the insert. 3. Turn it inside out, fuse the edges with hem tape, turn it right side out, and unbutton to add the insert.

Burlap Stenciled Pillow

Burlap no-sew pillow covers give a rustic farmhouse look for almost nothing. Stencil a simple pine tree, a star or a snowflake on the front with white paint, and fuse the edges with hem tape. It looks like something from a country store. Use felt behind the burlap if it feels scratchy. Which stencil shape fits your home?

You will need: Burlap, cotton or felt backing, white fabric paint, a stencil, a sponge, iron on hem tape.

How to make it: 1. Cut two squares of burlap and stencil the design on one. 2. Let it dry fully. 3. Fuse three sides with hem tape, add the insert, and fuse the last side.

Faux Fur Trim With Hem Tape

A strip of faux fur turns a plain pillow into something that looks like it came from a boutique. Fuse or glue a band of fur around the middle or along one edge. It adds texture and that soft winter glow. These no-sew pillow covers look especially pretty in cream and white. Would you add fur to an old cover you already own?

You will need: A plain pillow cover, faux fur trim, fabric glue or iron on hem tape, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Measure around the pillow and cut the fur trim to size. 2. Glue or fuse it in a band across the front. 3. Let it dry flat before adding the insert.

Bandana Patchwork No-Sew Pillow Covers

Four bandanas make one bright patchwork pillow with a fun cottage feel. Join them with iron on hem tape into a big square for the front, and use a fifth for the back. They are cheap, colorful and easy to wash. Mix reds and blues for a classic look. Which colors would you pick?

You will need: 5 bandanas, iron on hem tape, an iron, a pillow insert.

How to make it: 1. Fuse four bandanas together in a two by two square with hem tape. 2. Fuse the square to a fifth bandana on three sides. 3. Add the insert and fuse the last side closed.

Christmas Stocking Pillow

A stocking shaped pillow is a cheerful twist on no-sew pillow covers for the holidays. Use red knit fabric or an old red sweater, cut the shape, and glue a white faux fur cuff on top. Fill it with stuffing and close it with fabric glue. Kids love cuddling it while they wait for Christmas. Will you make one for each child?

You will need: Red knit fabric or an old sweater, white faux fur, fabric glue, stuffing, a paper stocking template.

How to make it: 1. Trace and cut two stocking shapes. 2. Glue the edges together, leaving the top open. 3. Stuff it, glue the top closed, and add the fur cuff.

Ribbon Wrapped Gift Pillow

This is the quickest holiday makeover of all. Wrap a plain red pillow with wide satin ribbon both ways and tie a big bow on top, so it looks like a wrapped present. It takes two minutes and looks amazing in a pile of green and white cushions. You can remove the ribbon after the holidays. Which pillow will you wrap first?

You will need: A plain solid pillow, wide satin or velvet ribbon, a safety pin.

How to make it: 1. Wrap ribbon around the pillow from top to bottom and pin it at the back. 2. Wrap a second piece side to side. 3. Tie a big bow where the ribbons cross.

Sweater Sleeve Bolster, the Easiest of All No-Sew Pillow Covers

Do not throw away a stretched out cable knit sweater. One sleeve makes a perfect round bolster pillow for a bed or a reading chair. Stuff it, gather the ends and tie them with twine like a candy. It is soft, cozy and costs nothing. For more ways to reuse knits, see our old sweater upcycles. Do you have a sweater ready to retire?

You will need: An old sweater, a rolled towel or stuffing, twine or ribbon, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut one sleeve off the sweater. 2. Fill it with a rolled towel or stuffing. 3. Gather both ends and tie them tightly with twine.

Napkin Pillow Cover

Two cloth napkins already have neat hemmed edges, so they make a small pillow with almost no work. Gingham napkins give a fresh, cheerful look for a kitchen chair or a window seat. Fuse three sides with hem tape, add the insert, and close the last side. These no-sew pillow covers are perfect for little accent pillows. Which napkins could you use?

You will need: Two matching cloth napkins, iron on hem tape, an iron, a small pillow insert.

How to make it: 1. Lay the napkins right sides together. 2. Fuse three edges with hem tape and turn right side out. 3. Add the insert and fuse the last edge.

Washable Covers for Pet Families

If your dog or cat loves the sofa as much as you do, no-sew pillow covers are a lifesaver. Covers made from tea towels, bandanas or fleece can be pulled off and washed in minutes. Choose busy patterns that hide fur. Keep a spare set ready for guests. Does your pet claim the best cushion too?

You will need: Washable fabrics such as cotton or fleece, hook and loop tape, fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Make an envelope style cover so it slides off easily. 2. Add hook and loop tape instead of buttons. 3. Wash the covers weekly with your pet blanket.

Mix and Match No-Sew Pillow Covers

The final trick is styling. Pair one bold pattern with one texture and one plain color, and repeat the same colors around the room. This bright living room shows how a mix of cushions makes a sofa feel inviting. Change the covers with the seasons for a fresh look all year. Which colors would make your sofa feel cozy?

You will need: Your finished pillow covers, a mix of sizes, a throw blanket.

How to make it: 1. Place the largest pillows in the corners. 2. Add a smaller patterned pillow in front of each. 3. Finish with a throw blanket over one arm.