Sewing an invisible zipper onto a pillow is a skillful task that can elevate the aesthetic of your home decor. To achieve this seamless look, you’ll need to install the zipper in a way that it blends into the seam of the pillow cover without being apparent. Here’s the straightforward answer before we dive into the details: you begin by preparing your fabric and the invisible zipper. Then, you will carefully pin and baste the zipper in place, followed by stitching it using a sewing machine with an invisible zipper foot. Finally, you’ll finish the pillow by sewing the remaining seams.
Materials and Tools Required
Before starting, ensure you have the following materials and tools:
- Fabric for the pillow cover
- An invisible zipper, slightly shorter than the length of one side of the pillow
- Matching thread
- Invisible zipper foot for your sewing machine
- Scissors
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Fabric marker or chalk
- Irons
- Pins or fabric clips
- Seam ripper
- Hand sewing needle (optional)
Preparation
Begin by cutting your fabric to the desired size for your pillow cover, adding seam allowances on all sides. Most common seam allowances are 1/2 inch to 1 inch. Be sure to cut two pieces for the front and back of the pillow.
Prepping the Zipper
Take your invisible zipper and lay it flat with the zipper teeth facing down. Use your iron on a low heat setting to gently unroll the teeth at the zipper tape’s edges. This process makes it easier to sew the zipper closely against the teeth.
Marking the Fabric
Mark the length of the zipper on the wrong side of the fabric where the zipper will be placed. Make sure these marks align on both the pillow front and back pieces, so the seams match when sewn together.
Attaching the Invisible Zipper
Pin and Baste the Zipper
Open the zipper and, with the right side of the zipper facing the right side of the fabric, align the zipper teeth’s edge with the seam allowance line that you’ve marked. Pin the tape in place along one side, ensuring that the top stopper is aligned with the edge of the fabric where you will start sewing and not the top edge of the fabric. Repeat with the other side of the zipper and the corresponding piece of fabric. You can baste the zipper in place using long stitches by hand for more stability.
Sewing the Zipper with an Invisible Zipper Foot
Attach the invisible zipper foot to your sewing machine. Start from the top and sew along the zipper’s edge, getting as close to the teeth as possible without sewing over them. The invisible zipper foot will allow the stitching to be close to the teeth, making the zipper appear hidden. Stitch down to the bottom mark you’ve made, ensuring not to sew past it. Close the zipper and repeat this process on the other side.
Finishing the Pillow Cover
Sewing the Remaining Sides
Once the zipper is in, unzip it, and lay the pillow right sides together. Start sewing from where the zipper stitching ends and continue around the remaining three sides of the pillow cover. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitching.
Final Touches
Trim any excess fabric from the corners, being careful not to cut your stitching. Turn the pillow cover right side out and use a pointy, but not sharp, object to push out the corners. Press the edges with your iron for a professional finish.
Hand Sewing the Zipper Ends
If you notice any gaps at the ends of the zipper, you can use a hand sewing needle and thread to make small invisible stitches to close these areas for a neater appearance.
Inserting the Pillow Form
Finally, insert your pillow form through the zipper opening, and you have a beautiful pillow with an invisible zipper closure.
Finishing Thoughts
Sewing an invisible zipper onto a pillow may seem intimidating at first, but with the right tools and some practice, it becomes a simple and satisfying project. An invisible zipper gives your pillows a professional, clean look and allows you to remove the covers for washing with ease. Take the time to do each step with care, and you’ll find yourself enhancing every pillow in your home with this elegant closure method. Remember, the key to a truly invisible zipper is all in the preparation and precision sewing close to the teeth. With this skill under your belt, your home-made pillow covers will look store-bought, adding a touch of class and craftsmanship to your living space.
