How to Sew a Zipper into a Pillow Cover // Beginner Sewing Tutorial, by Tamara's Joy // Sewing Channel on YouTube. 8 min 35 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 35 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Cut your back panel in two pieces so the zipper sits between them. Add about 1 cm (3/8 inch) seam allowance to the facing edges and press both edges under.
Place the zipper face down on the right side of one back panel edge, lining up the zipper tape with the folded edge. Pin or clip along the tape.
Fit the zipper foot to your machine and stitch close to the zipper teeth through the tape and fabric. Backstitch at both ends.
Fold the panel right side up and press the seam so the zipper lies flat. Topstitch along the fold about 3 mm from the edge for a clean finish.
Lay the second back panel right side down over the zipper, matching raw edges. Pin and stitch the other side of the tape the same way.
Open the zipper halfway, then place the front panel right side up and the joined back panel right side down on top. Pin all four sides.
Sew around the outer edge with a 1 cm (3/8 inch) seam allowance, backstitching at the start and finish. Clip the corners.
Turn the cover right side out through the open zipper, push out the corners with a turning tool, and press. Insert the pillow form and close the zip.
Tips and common mistakes
Open the zipper halfway before sewing the outer seam so you can turn the cover right side out.
Use a zipper foot so you can stitch close to the teeth without catching them.
Press each seam as you go; flat fabric keeps the zipper from puckering.
Keep fingers clear of the needle and unplug the machine before changing the foot.
Questions
Can I use a longer zipper than my panel?
Yes. A longer zipper is easier to sew and you can shorten it by sewing over the teeth at the right length and trimming the excess tape.
Do I need a special zipper foot?
A zipper foot helps a lot because it lets the needle sit close to the teeth, but you can manage with a standard foot if you sew slowly.
How do I stop the zipper ends from fraying?
Sew a few backstitches across the tape at each end, or zigzag the raw tape edges before you attach the zipper.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
