How To Make Pillow Covers With Zippers?

April 3, 2024

5 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

Making pillow covers with zippers is a task that might seem daunting at first, but with a bit of guidance, you can create beautiful, custom covers that will both protect your pillows and add a touch of personal style to your home. Essentially, the process involves measuring your pillow, cutting your fabric, sewing the seams, and installing the zipper. Let’s get into the details of how to do this, step by step.

Materials and Tools Needed

Before you start, make sure you have the following items ready:

Fabric of your choice
Measuring tape
Scissors or a rotary cutter
Straight pins
Sewing machine
Thread matching your fabric
Zipper (at least as long as one side of your pillow)
Zipper foot for the sewing machine
Iron and ironing board

Measuring Your Pillow

Determining the Size

First, you need to measure your pillow. Use a measuring tape to measure the width and length of the pillow. If you want a snug fit, use the exact measurements. For a looser fit, or to take seam allowances into account, add an extra inch (half an inch on each side) to both the width and the length measurements. This will be the size needed for cutting your fabric pieces.

Cutting Your Fabric

Preparation

Lay your fabric on a flat surface, right side facing down. Use your measurements to mark the size you need on the fabric, then cut two pieces of fabric to this size with your scissors or rotary cutter.

Seam Allowances

It’s important to leave a seam allowance for sewing the sides of your pillow cover. Standard seam allowance is typically about half an inch. Be sure to account for this when you are cutting your pieces, or your pillow cover will end up being too small.

Installing the Zipper

Positioning and Pinning

Before you start sewing the fabric pieces together, you’ll need to install the zipper. Put the right sides of the fabric together and pin the zipper in place along one of the edges. The zipper should be face down, with the zipper teeth aligned with the edge of the fabric.

Sewing the Zipper

Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine. Then sew along the edge of the fabric, getting as close as you can to the zipper teeth without sewing over them. Sew from the top of the zipper down to the bottom, making sure to backstitch both at the start and at the end to secure your sewing.

Reinforcing the Zipper Ends

After sewing along both sides of the zipper, you’ll want to close the ends. To do this, fold the fabric so that the zipper ends are aligned, then stitch across to create a seam perpendicular to the zipper. Backstitch to reinforce.

Sewing the Pillow Cover

The Right Sides Together

With the zipper installed, unzip it at least halfway – this will allow you to turn the cover right side out later. Lay your fabric right sides together, align the edges carefully, and pin around the remaining three sides.

Sewing the Sides

Using a straight stitch, sew the other three sides of the pillow cover, remembering to backstitch at the beginning and end for durability. Make sure not to sew over the zipper tabs. Trim any excess threads and fabric from the corners to ensure a sharp finish when turned right side out.

Turning and Pressing

Once the sides are sewn, reach into the half-open zipper and turn the pillow cover right side out. Use your fingers or a blunt tool, like a chopstick, to push out the corners. Iron the pillow cover to remove any wrinkles and to create sharp edges.

Tailoring to Your Preference

Crafting Custom Sizes

If your pillow is a non-standard size, you can easily tailor your measurements to fit. Be sure to adjust both fabric dimensions and zipper length accordingly to ensure proper fit and function.

Adding Personal Touches

Feel free to add your personal touches to the pillow cover. This can be anything from a contrasting fabric for one side, decorative trims, or even appliqué details for an extra-custom look.

Finishing Thoughts

With your newly crafted zipper pillow cover now complete, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor and take pride in your creation. Whether you’re refreshing your living space or crafting a thoughtful handmade gift, pillow covers with zippers offer both practicality and an avenue for creative expression. Remember, the many fabric choices and the possibility of adding decorative elements mean that each pillow cover you make can be a unique work of art. Practice will make the process faster and more intuitive. Happy sewing!