How to Sew an Outdoor Pillow Cover

Lay your duck cloth flat with the front side facing down. Measure two squares, each 17 by 17 inches, and mark with chalk. The extra inch is for a 1/2-inch seam allowance (the fabric between the fabric's raw edge and the seam).

Cut the squares from the duck cloth and place them on top of each other, front sides facing. Align the edges and pin in place.

Find a spot on the center of one side to start sewing. Make sure the distance between the needle and the edge of fabric is 1/2 inch. Remove pins as you sew.

Place your fabric layers under the machine's presser feet. Begin sewing a straight stitch seam by moving a few stitches ahead and a few stitches behind. This up-and-back stitching will anchor the thread into the fabric.

Sew to the first corner and stop with the needle still deeply inserted in the fabric. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric so you're ready to sew the next side. Lower the presser foot and sew along this side of the pillow. Do the same when you reach each corner.

When you reach the last side, stop short six to eight inches from where you began. Iron the pillow along each seam and use scissors to cut a triangle from each corner. This will give the pillow sharper corners.

Reach inside the pillow and turn it inside out. Push a finger into each corner to adjust the corner fabric.

Insert the pillow form into the pillow. Sew the open gap closed but make sure the fabric's edge is folded inward along the opening. Sew the seam forward a few stitches and backward a few stitches to anchor the end seam.