How to sew a zipper in a pillow, start by placing the zipper face down and centering it between the edges of the fabric. Ensure that the teeth of the zipper are lined up with the seam.
Then sew a half-inch seam around the zipper using a zipper foot. If you’re new to sewing, adding a zipper to a pillow can seem daunting, but it’s a beginner-friendly project that can bring a unique touch to your home décor.
Learning how to sew a zipper in a pillow will not only improve your sewing skills but also allow you to create custom and professional-looking pillow covers. By following a few simple steps, you can easily transform your plain pillow into a stylish and functional piece. Whether you want to change the look of your living room or add a personal touch to your bedroom, sewing a zipper in a pillow is a valuable skill to master.
How to Sew a Zipper in a Pillow?
Choosing The Right Zipper
When it comes to sewing a zipper in a pillow, choosing the right zipper is crucial for the success of your project. The zipper not only serves a functional purpose but can also add a decorative element to your pillow. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting the right zipper:
Determining The Length Of The Zipper
When determining the length of the zipper, measure the pillow’s opening from corner to corner. It’s important to measure the full length of the pillow’s seam rather than just the width of the fabric to ensure a proper fit for the zipper. Add at least an inch to the measured length to allow for easy opening and closing of the pillow.
Selecting The Correct Zipper Type
Choosing the correct zipper type is essential for ensuring that it complements the fabric and style of your pillow. There are various types of zippers such as regular coil zippers, invisible zippers, and decorative zippers. Take into account the fabric weight, color, and design of your pillow when selecting the zipper type.
Preparing The Pillow Fabric
Sewing a zipper in a pillow requires proper preparation of the fabric to ensure a clean, professional finish. Before beginning the process of attaching the zipper, it’s essential to cut the fabric to the correct size and finish the raw edges to prevent fraying.
Cutting The Fabric To Size
When cutting the fabric for your pillow, it is important to measure and mark the dimensions accurately. Use a fabric marker or chalk to make clear, precise lines for cutting. Ensure that the front and back fabric pieces are the same size to achieve a symmetrical and well-proportioned pillow.
Finishing The Raw Edges
After cutting the fabric, it’s crucial to finish the raw edges to prevent unraveling and create a neat appearance. You can finish the edges using a serger, zigzag stitch, or by folding the edges over twice and sewing them down. This step not only enhances the durability of the pillow but also provides a professional touch to the final product.
Attaching The Zipper
To sew a zipper in a pillow, start by carefully aligning the zipper with the seam of the fabric. Use a zipper foot to sew around the edges, ensuring a secure attachment. This step-by-step guide will help you easily add a zipper to your pillow.
Marking The Placement Of The Zipper
Before sewing the zipper onto the fabric, it’s essential to mark the placement of the zipper accurately. This step ensures that the zipper is centered and aligned correctly when the pillow is complete. To mark the placement, follow these steps:
- Measure the width of your pillow fabric panel.
- Divide the width measurement in half to find the center.
- Using a fabric marker or chalk, make a small mark at the center top and bottom of the fabric panel.
Now that you have marked the center of the fabric panel, you are ready to sew the zipper onto the fabric.
Sewing The Zipper To The Fabric
Attaching the zipper to the fabric requires careful and precise sewing. Follow these steps to sew the zipper onto the fabric:
- Place the fabric panel with the marked center face down on your workspace.
- Open the zipper fully and place it face down on top of the fabric panel, aligning the top edges.
- Pin the zipper in place, ensuring it is centered according to the marks made earlier.
- Attach a zipper foot to your sewing machine.
- Starting from one edge, sew along the pinned edge, removing the pins as you go.
- When you reach the zipper pull, leave the needle in the fabric, lift the presser foot, and carefully close the zipper below the needle.
- Lower the presser foot and continue sewing along the remaining edge, ensuring the fabric is smooth and straight.
By sewing the zipper to the fabric in this manner, you create a secure and professional-looking finish. Your pillow will now have a functional zipper that allows easy removal and cleaning.
Finishing The Pillow Cover
Learn how to sew a zipper in a pillow cover with this easy step-by-step tutorial. It’s a great way to add a professional finish to your handmade pillows.
Closing The Pillow Cover
To complete the process of sewing a zipper in a pillow, the final step is closing the pillow cover. Follow these simple instructions to ensure a neat and tidy finish for your pillow:
- First, make sure the zipper is fully closed.
- Align the edges of the fabric, ensuring that the right sides are facing each other.
- Starting at one corner, use your sewing machine to stitch around all three unfinished sides of the pillow cover. Be sure to use a zipper foot for this step to ensure you can stitch as close to the zipper teeth as possible.
- When you reach the corners, pivot the fabric with the needle down, lift the presser foot, and turn the fabric 90 degrees to continue stitching along the next side.
- Continue sewing until you reach the starting point, then backstitch to secure the stitches.
- Trim any excess threads.
By following these steps, you will achieve a professional-looking finish for your pillow cover.
Evaluating And Adjusting The Fit
After closing the pillow cover, it’s essential to evaluate the fit and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a perfect finish. Here’s what you need to do:
- Turn the pillow cover right side out through the unzipped opening.
- Carefully insert your pillow form into the cover to evaluate the fit.
- If the cover feels too loose or baggy, you can make adjustments by taking in the seams. Simply remove the pillow form, turn the cover inside out, and stitch a bit closer to the original seam on each side.
- If the cover feels too tight, you can let out the seams slightly by removing the stitches and sewing a new seam slightly further away from the original seam.
- Once you are satisfied with the fit, turn the cover back inside out, insert the pillow form, and close the zipper.
Remember to take your time and carefully evaluate the fit before making any adjustments. This way, you can ensure that your pillow cover fits snugly and looks professionally finished. Now that you have successfully finished sewing a zipper in a pillow cover, you can enjoy your newly created decorative pillow.
Conclusion
To conclude, sewing a zipper in a pillow is a relatively simple process that can elevate the look and functionality of your pillows. By following the step-by-step instructions in this blog post, you can easily add a zipper to your pillow covers, allowing you to easily remove and wash them as needed.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to sew zippers into your pillows with confidence, giving you a professional, finished look. So grab your sewing machine and give it a try – you’ll be amazed at the difference a zipper can make!
