Is It Cheaper to Sew Your Own Smocked Pillow Covers?
Smocked pillow covers have become a staple of cozy, textured home decor — priced between $25 and $60 at boutique shops and big-box retailers. If you own a sewing machine, the DIY route is tempting, but is it actually cheaper once you add up the fabric, elastic thread, zipper, and machine time?
What Goes Into a Smocked Pillow Cover?
- Fabric: Lightweight wovens like cotton lawn, linen, or chambray work best. Expect to use 1.25 to 2 yards for a standard 18" x 18" cover — smocking gathers fabric to roughly one-third of its original width.
- Elastic thread: A 100-yard spool typically covers four to six pillow covers depending on pattern density.
- Zipper or envelope closure: A 14"–16" invisible zipper adds a clean finish and runs $1 to $3.
- Machine electricity: A domestic sewing machine draws roughly 75 watts. At average US electricity rates, running it for 45 minutes costs only a few cents.
When Buying Makes More Sense
If you find smocked covers on clearance or at discount home stores, buying is hard to beat on pure cost. The DIY advantage is most pronounced when you want a custom fabric, a non-standard size, or a specific color that stores do not carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much fabric do I need for one smocked pillow cover?
Plan on 1.25 to 2 yards for an 18" x 18" pillow cover. Smocking gathers fabric to roughly one-third its flat width, so you need significantly more yardage than a plain cover. A 20" or 22" cover will need closer to 2.5 yards if the entire front panel is smocked.
Can I use regular thread instead of elastic thread for smocking?
Traditional hand smocking uses regular embroidery thread, but machine smocking specifically relies on elastic thread wound onto the bobbin. The elasticity is what creates the gathered, stretchy texture. Without it, you'd need to pleat the fabric by hand before embroidering — a much more time-intensive process.
How long does one spool of elastic thread last?
A typical 100-yard spool of elastic thread covers approximately four standard pillow covers sewn with moderate smocking density. Denser patterns or larger covers will use more thread. Buying in multi-packs reduces the per-cover cost considerably.
What is the average price of smocked pillow covers in stores?
At major home decor retailers, smocked pillow covers typically run $25 to $45 for standard 18" to 20" sizes. Boutique or designer versions can reach $60 or more. Discount stores and online marketplaces sometimes carry them for $15 to $22, which narrows the DIY savings margin.
Does this calculator include the cost of my time?
No — the calculator shows only material and machine energy costs. Labor is intentionally excluded because most hobbyists do not value their sewing time at a market rate; the enjoyment of the craft is part of the value.