Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Pins
- Seam ripper
Introduction
Most throw pillows are sewn shut, which makes removing the pillow cover impossible without ruining the pillow. Make a pillow cover with a zipper sewn onto it to keep the pillow in place and allow its removal for washing. This is a good project for novice sewers because no advanced sewing techniques are required. However, you must buy a zipper to complete this craft.
Step 1
Measure your pillow's length and width from seam to seam. Use these measurements to cut out two pieces of fabric to make a new pillow cover.
Step 2
Place the two pieces of fabric together with their fronts, or faces that will be exposed, touching. Select an edge where the zipper will be fastened. Turn the fabric pieces so that this edge is nearest to you. Measure 1 inch in from each zipper edge's corners and place marks at these points. Cut a half-inch slit through both pieces of fabric at the two marks. Measure 5/8-inches in from the edge. Begin sewing in one corner. Sew up to the first cut and then stop.
Step 3
Set the sewing machine to the longest stitch setting to baste the fabric together. Basting means to temporarily hold the fabric in place. Baste along the seam until you reach the cut near the opposite corner. Set the sewing machine back to a regular stitch and finish sewing the seam.
Step 4
Open the two pieces of fabric and lay them face down, flat on a work table. Spread the seam open. Center the zipper over the seam and lay it upside down on the seam. Align the zipper's bottom edge with one of the corner cuts. Use pins to hold the zipper in place. Turn the fabric over and insert pins, to hold the zipper, through the fabric's top side. Once those pins are securely in place, remove the pins from the fabric's underside.
Step 5
Position the fabric on the sewing machine, with the top side facing up. Set the needle approximately 1/4-inch away from the seam, working from the zipper pull down. Sew down the zipper's length. Turn the fabric and sew across the seam. Then, turn and sew back up the opposite side. When you reach the end, backstitch about 1 inch.
Step 6
Push the zipper down about 1 to 2 inches. Turn the fabric and sew across the zipper's top section. Backstitch about 1 inch once you reach the starting point from the previous step.
Step 7
Flip the fabric so the two pieces are right side out and the zipper is facing up. Use a seam ripper to remove the basting stitches. Open the zipper halfway. Close the fabric so the pillow cover is inside out. Pin the remaining three sides of the pillow cover together and sew them shut. Turn the pillow cover right side out.
Robin Gonyo - Robin Gonyo has been writing for several years now. She has a deep love for gardening and has spent a vast amount of time researching that ...
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