How to Make a Pillow Cover With a Zipper

Time needed: 1 hour

1. Choose your fabrics.

   Before you start your project, you should select two fabrics that coordinate with each other and that work well with the rest of the decor in the space you will be using them. Consider using a heavier fabric like cotton or canvas for a sturdier, more structured pillow. Choose a lighter, breathable fabric like linen or silk for a softer, more comfortable pillow. If you struggle with mixing patterns, you could use the same fabric on both sides, but I love using two different fabrics so I can flip them around if I want to! FYI, how to mix patterns is something Tasha explains wonderfully in Designer in a Binder.

2. Choose your pillow form and measure it.

   My personal preference is to work with down-filled pillow forms — they are great for getting that crisp karate-chop shape when styling your space. I found mine at IKEA for a very reasonable price. I like to measure my fabric to the exact size of my pillow form, and then add 1 inch (on all sides) for seam allowance.

3. Cut your fabric.

   Using a ruler and a pair of fabric scissors, measure and cut both pieces of fabric to the size of your desired pillow. Be sure to add an inch to the length and width for seam allowances.
   

4. Prepare your zipper.

   Take one piece of your fabric and on the edge you would like to attach your zipper, press the seam allowance up onto the wrong side of the fabric (or to the inside of your pillow).
   
   
   Then pin your zipper in place. Center, and line up the edge of your pressed fabric with one side of your zipper. The fabric fold should just kiss the actual zipper. Pin to the wrong side of the pressed fabric with the zipper facing down. This will put the right side of the zipper, with the right side of your fabric.
   

5. Attach the zipper foot to your sewing machine.

   This is a zipper foot and it is really important when you are learning how to make a pillow with a zipper. I had recently purchased my Singer sewing machine and it came with one, and admittedly I had never used one before. But have no fear, if you've never worked with a zipper foot before, it is your friend! I absolutely love working with it and I will never go back. When we get a little further along, you'll see it in action and why I love it so much.
   
   Attach your zipper foot to your sewing machine. On my particular sewing machine, there is a little arm at the back of the machine that releases a little hook that grabs and holds the bar on the zipper foot and holds it in place. You can choose to have it on the right or left side depending on which direction you're sewing on your project.
   

6. Sew your zipper in place.

   Line up your pinned zipper and fabric with the zipper OPEN. You'll notice the unzipped zipper slides right underneath the zipper foot allowing you to stitch immediately beside it with no fear of accidentally stitching over your zipper. Stitch the length of your first pillow edge to hold the zipper in place.
   

7. Prepare your opposite piece of fabric in the same way, with the pressed seam allowance.

   Now you should have something that looks a bit like the photo below. This is the view from above of the two “right sides” of fabric showing, with the zipper attached to the first side, right side facing up.
   

8. Zip up the zipper.

   Take your second piece of fabric and butt the pressed seam up against the first piece of fabric already attached to the zipper. Pin in place.
   

9. Sew the other half of your zipper in place.

   Unzip the zipper again. Switch your zipper foot to the other side, and sew this side of the zipper in place, just as you did the first side.
   

10. Prepare your seam allowance on the remaining 3 sides of your pillow.

    Flip your fabrics right-side to right-side. You should now be looking at both the wrong side of your fabrics and the wrong side of your zipper. Double check your pillow form measurements, and transfer those measurements to your pillow. You have one completed edge, so you only need seam allowance on three sides. Pin along your sewing line on three sides.

11. Sew the three edges of your pillow together.

    Sew along the three remaining edges, with your zipper opened slightly.
    

12. Add your pillow insert and do a tiny bit of hand stitching.

    When you're done sewing, trim as needed. Now, unzip your finished pillow case and flip it right-side out. Add your pillow insert and hand stitch across your two sides just beyond the top and bottom of your zipper to add durability and avoid any gaps that may have occurred between the edge of the actual zipper and the tape it is attached to.