Sep

Zippered Pillow Covers

By Katie

There are a few things I change in a room when I am transitioning from season to season. One of those things is my pillow decor. I used to sew covers that would end up being sewn closed because it never occurred to me to sew in a zipper.

This project was (believe it or not) my first foray into sewing zippers.

You’ll need:

fabric (make sure you measure your pillows so you have enough fabric)
scissors
zippers (a couple of inches shorter than one edge of your pillow)
sewing machine or needle and thread
pins
measuring device (ruler, tape, etc)

First, measure your pillow with a flexible measuring tape from edge to edge.

measure pillows from edge to edge

Now cut your fabric to the pillow measurements PLUS ONE INCH for seam allowance. Pin those bad boys out (pin along edges so they line up on all sides and are secure enough so as not to move when you are sewing) I found two plaid patterns I liked and used one for each side of my pillows.

measure, cut and pin pillow cover fabric

Once those puppies are pinned go ahead and sew three of the four edges. Easy enough. On the last edge sew in the zipper according to the instructions that are attached to the zipper packaging. It is really easy, though hard to describe…but I’ll try.

On the open edge – with wrong sides still out – pin the zipper on the INSIDE (what is the right side of fabric) with the raw edges lining up with the raw edge of your pillow fabric. Pin very securely. Now unzip the sipper and sew along the length of the zipper, the presser foot as close to the teeth as possible.

Now zip back up and pin the opposite side of the zipper to the fabric. Unzip and sew as you did the first side.

Once the zipper is secure pin the open edges of the fourth side from ends of the zipper to the corners. Sew ONLY TO THE ZIPPER STOPPER or you will sew your zipper closed.

Turn pillow cover inside out and pop that pillow in there. Close the case with a very satisfying zzzziiiippp and then admire your own handiwork.