Hey Everyone!!! I am not going to have a pillow and quilt combo for May, but instead I did a great tutorial for making an easy covered zipper for all the pillows you are going to make in the future…(Quilt Market is next week (no…it is going on right now!)…and it aint pretty here…at the moment at least.)
I decided to do a blog tutorial for a covered zipper instead of a video…because I think it is hard to go back and forth on a video…and I think you could print this tutorial…If you have a phone or iPad you can have it next to your sewing machine and scroll… other than starting and stopping and rewinding a video…but if you think a video is easier we can do one as well…
Supplies Needed:
Finished Pillow front (example-18″x 18″)
Pillow backing…4″ longer than (example 18″x 22″) Cut in half in the center. 2-11″x 18″ pieces.
Zipper foot- not necessary but it makes it easier.
Matching thread
Zipper- longer than pillow width- we used 24″ for this pillow
We have a bunch of colored long zippers on our site for VERY reasonable prices. See below for more info on long zippers.
Purple thang- or something to poke out corners of pillows
Pillow form…Use a bigger form than the pillow when you can…example…put a 20″ pillow form in an 18″ pillow
I suggest reading the whole tutorial first before you start…then go for it!
Finished pillow top, backing pieces and coordinating zipper.
On wrong side of backing fold under 1/2″ and press on one piece
On the remaining piece fold and press 1″ and then fold again another 1″
Now we are ready to stitch to the zipper.
Attach your zipper foot to your machine…and line up the hole on the right side of the foot…The zipper will hang over as shown….place the backing piece with the 1/2″ on top of the zipper with the fold next to the zipper teeth.
Here it is shown all stitched…
Now unfold the other backing piece to only 1- 1inch
Place it right sides together on the other edge of the zipper and it will cover the first sewn side, lining up the widths exactly, like shown.
Move the zipper foot to the other side and stitch right up against the teeth of the zipper. as shown in photo.
Now flip back the sewn side.
Push the fold forward so it covers the zipper. This is too far…if you see the zipper.
Sorry I had to insert a new photo here as we missed this shot…
Open the zipper a couple of inches and then push the zipper together as if it were closed.
Like this and stitch over the edges of each side to lock the fold as it covers the zipper in place.
Then the other side…
Move your zipper foot so the needle is on the right edge of the foot.
Top Stitch the fold down on the outside, running the foot as close as you can next to the zipper.
Close the zipper and press the newly stitched fold.
Now Trim off excess zipper. I used plastic zippers so I can cut them with my rotary cutter.
Back is done…Time to stitch the pillow together…Make sure you keep the zipper open.
Now lay the right side of the front of the pillow to the right side of the pillow back…I like to match of any kind of stripes or plaids if I can…but I do not stress out if they do not line up…sometimes one side of the zipper does and then the other doesn’t…
Trim the back the same size as the front.
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Place pins in the corners and in the middles…I admit I use pins very sparingly.
Now stitch pillow edges using a 1/2″ seam allowance…do opposing sides first…sew edge to edge.
Then stitch the remaining opposing sides. I find this eliminates getting tucks, or unevenness that happens sometimes.
Clip all four corners.
Now open up your zipper a little farther and turn the pillow right side out.
Push the corners out with some kind of tool.
Now stuff your pillow insert in…I use a bigger pillow form than my pillow…example…if my pillow is 18″ I will put a 20″ pillow form in it.
Close your zipper and fluff your pillow…Don’t you just love the finished edge this makes…and I love that I do not have to store a bunch of pillows…I can just store the pillow covering and if it would ever need to be washed it is much easier to do so.
I hope you love making these covered zippered pillows as much as I do…we have lots of designs for you to customize for your home…instead of just buying what the stores have available for us to purchase…
Thanks Lisa for all the tips, tricks and tutorials you share with our sewing world. You deserve a metal for all your hard work! Love the all the pillows.
Thank you for the stepped out tutorial. Zippers scare me but this makes it seem very doable. Wonderful selection of zippers and great price point! Thank you!
A game changer. I admit Iโm not a fan of decorative pillows due to storing them. But having zippered covers to store may have me making a few, especially the Naps pillow. I know there are other instructions out there somewhere but having an easy to understand tutorial appear on my phone with pics is an incentive. Thanks Lisa.
Lisa youโre an inspiration!!!!
I am currently a subscriber to your wool box that I Love!! ๐ Last months box had a pillow form in it and it is amazing. Very firm n holds it shape. You cannot buy a pillow like that at a box store. Well worth the cost.
Thank you Lisa for the tutorial. Canโt wait for the book!!!!
Thank you for the great tutorial. I have some pillow forms in my closet that should come out and be used- maybe I can use some of those mini quilts that never got finished……Iโm glad that you posted your zippers, wouldnโt have occurred to me that you would carry such a great collection.
Iโve always been afraid of zippers, but Iโm ready to face the challenge now because of your very clear step by step instructions. Canโt wait to make a pillow! Thank you for taking the time to do this. You are so thoughtful and generous!
Thanks, Lisa, for a very complete tute. Love your stitched word pillows! There are so many possibilities and you’re right. Pick up one pillow and make a few covers for it. They make great gifts. And thank you for a chance to win a pillow kit!
This is a great tutorial! I often struggle when it comes to sewing a hidden zipper on pillows. Now I can refer back to your tutorial for my next project that needs a hidden zipper. I never thought of stuffing a pillow with a larger insert before, what a great idea. I love all those pillows lined up on the window seat not to mention the wonderful seat cover/quilt on it. I can’t wait for your new book to come out.
So glad to see you posting again, I’ve missed you. Love all the pillows. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial on the zipper installation. Going to have to try it, as you make it look so easy.
I’ve made pillows similar to this method but not with a zipper. After watching this great tutorial I will have to try adding a zipper to my pillows. Thanks Lisa!
Wonderful tutorial. Easy to follow step by step pictures. Iโm excited to make a pillow with zipper. Zippers were never easy for me but think I will give it another try with your easy to follow directions. Thank you.
Thank you for this tutorial. This method looks cleaner than the way I was doing it. I do like to put my zipper about 1″ from the bottom rather than in the middle, but I like your visuals and will try this way. I do prefer the slide tutorial format rather than a video, so thanks for that, too.
Thanks for the hidden zipper tutorial! Iโve not tried that method yet but will now! Just a few May pillow ideas: Lily of the Valley, May showers, Motherโs Day, Memorial Day, Graduation. ๐
Lisa, the tutorial is very helpful. Have not done one like this in the past but will not hesitate to try now. I love all your home dec pix also. Thanks for sharing!
Instead of trimming the pillow back to match the front, simply pin the front on top of the larger back (with the zipper part way open), sew, then trim. Also you can top stitch edge of turned pillow for a knife edge that can mimic piping.
Thank you for the tutorial. I’ve been wanting to make some pillow and this will make it go much faster. What a great idea, pillow covers instead of storing pillows. You have such great ideas and tips.
Once again, Lisa, I am bowled over by your willingness to share your skills and encourage us! I plan to try my hand at a pillow with a zipper. What a great idea to change the outer portion without having to store a stash of bulky pillow forms! Thank, thank you!!!
Awesome!!! What a wonderful way to make a pillow. I feel very computer illiterate with videos – starting & stopping. Itโs very frustrating!!! BUT, I can read this & follow directions, even on a zipper. Thank you so much for making this easy to follow. I will be making pillows!!!
I just finished a pillow back just like this….this is an excellent reference. Great pillows ๐ I always put zippers on my pillows for washing purposes but donโt like the zipper tabs sticking out when they are on the outer seams so this is a perfect way to make them.
Love the pillow case with a zipper. I make mine with a flap on the back but putting in the zipper makes the pillow so much nicer! Thanks for the tutorial.
Thank you Lisa for all the info you have shared on making pillows!! I love all your designs but the pillows are so special. I am looking forward to your new book!!
Lisa- thank you for the great tutorial!!
New to making pillows so this is just what I needed especially since I saw some pillows from your new book that I want to make!!!
I pre-ordered the book…excited to get it! Love the pillows! Zippers scare me a bit…but I think I might try this on my Wool Box “Spring” pillow. You make it look easy. Wish me luck!
I use my embroidery machine to make seasonal and holiday pillows and even bring these along with RV trips. Neither my confidence nor my patience has reached the level of inserting zippers. Your tutorial is very tempting. I will keep it in mind for the next time. Thanks for sharing it.
Connie
This pillow tutorial is so helpful and I am loving your new fabric line! Pillows are in my plans. Been using the farmhouse decorating scheme and will certainly add some of your designs to my new room. The quilt you have hanging as a curtain at market with the โLive, Love…..โ pillow squares really took my eye! You are so creative and what I saw of your booth was wonderful. I hope the wooden quilt puzzle will be for sale. My sister has one of these in another color and I have been envious but could never find one.
I LOVE ALL of the new pillows! These have grown on me really quick and I am ready to start making pillows! Great tutorial and I love that as soon as I was thinking, I can never find pillow forms, there was the part with the links to buy on your website! You thought of everything! I need to watch one of my favorite movies with Doris Day…. Pillow Talk… and start some pillows! Lots to look forward to! Thank you!
Hi Lisa, Love all of the pillow ideas and the zipper tutorial!!! I have always used velcro but now I am ready to move on to zippers!!!!!! I will be in the shop soon to check out the zippers. Looking forward for the June and July pillows!
I love the tutorial and will be making some of the pillows for my house. The colors are perfect. I still struggle with stitching the lettering though. Maybe you can do a tutorial for the letters using the #5 threads? That would be really helpful.
Thank you for the tutorial for the zipper. I love the pillows and want to make the COFFEE pillow for a couple of friends for gifts. And some of the other pillows would also make nice gifts for Christmas. They are different and would look great in any ones home.
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