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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

THE EASY WAY TO MAKE A PILLOW COVER WITH A ZIPPER




I used to be strictly an "envelope" pillow cover maker.  I always thought putting a zipper in would be too hard, but I finally tried it and actually prefer it now to the other method!  Today, I'll show you how easy it can be.

Before we get started here's a few tips:  If your zipper is too long, just make a several stitches slowly back and forth over the coils where you want it to stop, and trim the excess.  I usually like for the zipper to take up most of the side it's on, but I do leave a few inches of fabric on each end of the zipper to make it easier to get the pillow in and out.  Also, I use down pillow forms and cut my fabric about the same size as the pillow measurements.  That way, the covers fit nicely and the pillows are easy to plump up. I used a greek key trim from Hobby Lobby on the front that I sewed on before I did anything else.


We'll start with the side that your zipper will be on.  With the right sides of the fabric together, pin and then make a seam on the side that will be the bottom edge of your pillow.  Somewhere around 1/2" seam is fine.  Use a basting stitch, which means you want your stitch length as long as possible.


Spread your two sides apart on the wrong side and press that seam open.  Un-zip the zipper and following the directions on your package, press the zipper so the coil is flattened out.  Now with the zipper closed, center it face down over the wrong side of the seam and pin in place.

Stitch the zipper with a regular stitch, using the zipper foot for your machine.  You want the stitch to be very close to the zipper coils.  Go slowly and make sure the center of the zipper is always right over the center of the seam.  When you get to the end, sew across the bottom of the zipper and go back up the other side.



Once the zipper is in, go back to the ends of the seam and stitch over again with a smaller stitch than the one you previously basted with.  You just want to reinforce that seam and make it stronger.


 I also like to stitch across the seam at the top of the zipper to define that area and secure the ends.


Now, carefully use  a seam ripper or sharp scissors to open the seam over the zipper, and pull loose threads out.


Now you're ready to sew up the rest of your pillow, but first it's crucial to OPEN THE ZIPPER!  If you don't, you'll just sew your pillow totally closed with the wrong side out!


Put right sides together and stitch other 3 sides together using a 1/2" seam allowance.

Clip the corners diagonally (this helps reduce bulk and makes your finished corners sharp and pointed), and press seams open.


Turn inside out, and there you go!  I usually press again once the pillow is finished.


So, what's your favorite way to make a pillow?  Are you an envelope or a zipper girl?





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Would you like to comment?

  1. Amazing! Love the way you mix bold colors.

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  2. i am a strictly envelope girl, but you are inspiring me!

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  3. I was an envelope girl until this tutorial. I believe I can do a zipper now :) i'll let you know how it goes :)

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  4. Mother sews my pillows but I can't not comment when I see that shot of your sofa. Slays me every time. So beautiful :-)

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  5. Beautiful pillows and so YOU! I agree that I prefer them now too. The zipper isn't that scary anymore ;)

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  6. Looks gorgeous, they look so expensive too. I have only made envelope pillows but if I ever try it again I will definitely add a zipper. Looks so easy. For your greek key trim, did you sew it or glue it? Just curious because I am making pillows this week. Thanks! xo Kristin

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  7. Oh I am definitely a zipper girl. Great tutorial. Hugs, Marty

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  8. I am the worst sewer ever but you make it look so easy I may just have to give it a shot!

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  9. I'm an envelope fan when I have to do the sewing myself (which is most of the time), but if I can trick some talented person into doing a zipper for me, I think they look a little cleaner. That's a beautiful green on those pillows!

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  10. Gorgeous colors! I have been a neutrals girl for too long. As soon as we move into our new house I am amping up the colors. That green is fabulous, but put the floral and the leopard with it and it's even better!

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  11. I don't know how to sew, but I love zipper pillows. Your pillow choices and table styling are gorgeous!!!

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  12. I love love love those green pillows!!! So perfect in your house, and they go with the leopard and the Chiang Mai so well. Bookmarking this for when I master the sewing machine!

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  13. Just gorgeous!! I love love love!!! I have been waffling on putting zippers in a few pillows I am procrastinating on. I'm going to try it now. Why are things like this so intimidating? Yet when you actually do it, wow it's easy?! And the things you think easy, are tough??

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  14. What a GREAT TUTORIAL! The pillows are truly beautiful too! Great job Jennifer!

    XO,
    Krista
    www.goodwillglam.com

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  15. gorgeous pillows!! pinning for next time!! :)

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  16. I love those pillows! Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial...you make it look easy. :)

    xo
    Pat

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  17. Love your pretty pillows, they're my weakness, such a quick and easy change!!

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  18. I love the colors you put together! And how cute is your kitty laying between your animal print pillows. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Awesome tutorial, Jennifer! I finally got over my fear of zippers too but not enough to write a tutorial! LOL! I still feel like I'm winging it everytime I put one in. :) These pillows are gorgeous!

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  20. Thanx for the tutorial. I might give it a try, but im still intimidated by that zipper. love how the pillows look together.

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  21. great tutorial! and I love the final project too!

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  22. Gorgeous pillows! That's how I make mine too! I always preferred the envelope closure too until I learned this way. So much easier!

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  23. Love the green pillows, especially against the Chiang Mai :) And I have totally gone to the zipper side too!

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  24. I've always been an envelope kinda girl....I thought a zipper was totally out of my range of sewing. However,you make wanna give a zipper the ole college try.....thanks!!

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  25. Alas, no matter how easy, I would still not be able to do it because I am truly 'disabled' when it comes to the sewing machine. :-( Love your pillows dear!

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  26. I really like the pillow trio too. I'm not a DIY person, but am shopping for pillows like these to add to my daughter's new navy/white bedding combo. Are they available for purchase? If not, could you please advise as to the fabric mfg? Thanks.

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  27. I absolutely love the leopard pillows! Where did you get the fabric or did you make the pillows? Thanks for your time!

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  28. You have no idea how much we are on the same page! I no longer have me sewing machine and now I wish I did, I have leopard velvet pillows and I have several green fabric samples and greek key trim to do other pillows to coordinate, I just cannot make up my mind but after seeing yours I think you made my decision much easier!! Your vignette is gorgeous!

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  29. Your living room looks beautiful and the details to the pillows are perfect...

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  30. Fabulous Jennifer and I adore the green with the Greek Key Trim! Are you in the mood for a special order?!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  31. What beautiful pillows and a great tutorial to boot! Love them!

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  32. I love all your pillows!! Will you share the names of the fabrics? or where you purchased them? Or, if you are willing to sell identical ones :)

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    1. Thank you! The green is Robert Allen Linen Slub in Malachite (https://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=robert+allen+malachite&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e) , the floral is Chiang Mai Dragon in Alabaster, and the leopard was an upholstery fabric from Hobby Lobby. It's still in stores but not online.

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  33. Just curious, did you know someone was using an image from this post to sell pillows on etsy? https://www.etsy.com/listing/186388144/both-sides-one-skin-tight-ebony-pillow?ref=related-0

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  34. Hi Holly, no I didn't but thanks for letting me know. Hey, could you send me your e-mail address? Your comments to me never include it and I can't write you back. ;)

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  35. I'm enamoured with that floral fabric!!!! What is it!!??' LOVE!

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  36. Never mind! Just read above comment!

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  37. Where did you buy the amazing ribbon trim on the green pillows?

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    1. Hi Julie! It's trim by the yard at Hobby Lobby. They have lots of great colors!

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  38. Hi!
    Beyond obsessed with your leopard pillow!!! Where is that beauty from!? Thanks!!

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    1. Hi Alexis! Thanks! See above comments for pillow sourcing... but the leopard was actually home dec fabric from Hobby Lobby!

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  39. Great tips. Thanks!!
    I love your sofa! We are moving to a FL condo snd I am in the market for a similar sofa. Do you mind telling me the company who made your sofa? Is the upholstery fabric & color easy to keep clean? We will have grandchildren visiting frequently!

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  40. where is this leopard pillow from??

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  41. Hi there, it's made with upholstery fabric from Hobby Lobby.

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  42. Hey Jennifer! I've been looking for a fun print everywhere with some green and navy in it, do you know the pattern of the dragon fabric between the green and the leapard? Thanks!

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  43. Hi Mary, Pillow sources can be found in my FAQs tab at the top of the blog. That one is a pricey designer fabric, but you can sometimes find remnants on Etsy or Ebay. Here's the link: http://www.dimplesandtangles.com/p/faqs.html

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  44. Hi Jennifer, Where did you get the floral fabric. I am in love!

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  45. Hi Jennifer, I have an unrelated question.. Where did you get your coffee table? I am looking for something just like that!

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  46. These are so cute, Jennifer! I have needed this simple tutorial for way too long, haha! I just bought some fabric for pillow protectors, and got a great little kit for waterproofing them here (https://www.protectabed.com/protection_kit/allergy_protection_kit.asp) and now all I've got to do is sit down and get to it! (Although now that I know how easy it is, I may need to make more....)

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  47. I have sewn my favorite clothes since 7th grade and zippers have always been intimidating for me, but I've been successful with them. Years ago, I did find a good step by step in my Singer home sewing book for sewing zippers in pillows and haven't looked back. It's nice to have multiple covers to easily store and switch out than try to find storage for seasonal pillows that take up valuable storage space.

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