How to Make Pillows With Zippers
Zippers can add fashionable flair and functionality to your pillows. Add an exposed zipper as a decorative applique. Or attach a zippered pocket to the front of your pillow for storing small items such as a remote. You can buy zippers specifically for this project or reuse the fasteners from a bag or old pair of jeans. Just be sure to consider your comfort before beginning your project --- a pillow with a zipper might not be the best option for people with sensitive skin and children. Instead of zippers, opt for a more accommodating fastener such as loop-and-hook, or snap button closures. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Pillow With Zippered Pocket
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1
Cut two 12-inch squares and two rectangles that are 12 inches long and 6 1/2 inches wide. Measure and cut a zipper track that is 12 inches long.
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2
Place one rectangle alongside the other, both right-side up, so that they form a square; this will be the front of the pillow, so ensure the fabric pattern is continuous from one side to the next. Draw a dot or straight line to mark the butting edges of each rectangle. This is an optional step done so that when the fabric is moved you remember which edges were touching.
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3
Hem the marked edge of each rectangle. Turn the fabric over so that the wrong-side is facing up. Fold the marked edge over 1/4-inch so that a strip of the decorative material is visible from the wrong-side. Fold the material 1/4-inch a second time. The second fold covers and encloses the raw edge of the first fold.
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4
Place the rectangles on the table, right-side down, so that the hemmed edges touch without overlapping.
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5
Lay the zipper over the hemmed edges, face-down; the zipper track should run from end-to-end. Tack the zipper in place with a basting stitch, which is a loose, straight stitch.
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6
Flip the fabric over so that the decorative side is facing up. Test the zipper to make sure it opens and closes.
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7
Sew along both sides of the zipper over the basting stitch. Stitch along the top and bottom of the zipper track as well. When complete, the zipper will be surrounded by a complete rectangle of stitches.
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8
Place one of the square panels right-side up on the table. Align the zippered panel on top of the square, right-side up. Sew 1/8 inch from the edge along all four sides to join the material and form a large pocket. Check that the zipper still opens and closes.
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9
Place the second square panel right-side up on the table. Place the pocket panel face-down on the square so that the zipper is vertical.
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10
Start sewing from the upper-left corner and sew continuously around the perimeter of the squares, leave the fourth side partly open.
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11
Invert the case through the opening. Stuff the pillow and sew the case closed.
Applique
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12
Cut two 12-inch squares of fabric to form the front and back panels of the pillow.
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13
Lay the front panel right-side up. Place a zipper on the panel. Stitch around all four sides of the zipper using a decorative stitch such as the zig-zag.
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14
Place the front panel on top of the back panel so that the decorative side of the material is touching and the wrong side faces you.
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15
Sew along three sides to form a case. Invert the case through the open fourth side. Stuff the pillow and sew the fourth side closed.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use the pocket to store remotes, a TV program guide or sleep aides such as earplugs and an eye mask.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
