How to make a Simple Cushion Cover | How to sew an Invisible Zipper onto Cushion Cover, by Notches Sewing on YouTube. 7 min 23 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 23 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Measure your cushion insert and cut two fabric squares 1 inch bigger all round. For an 18 inch insert, cut two 19 inch squares.
Press a half inch fold along one edge of each square, or draw the seam line with chalk, so you have a guide to line the zipper up against.
Open the invisible zipper and lay one tape face down on the right side of the front square. Put the coil on the seam line with the pull at the edge.
Fit the invisible zipper foot and stitch along the tape right next to the coil, backstitching at both ends. Stop and check the coil stays flat.
Lay the back square right side down on top, match the raw edges and clip. Sew the second zipper tape the same way, close to the coil.
Close the zipper and check the join lies flat with no gap. Then sew the other three sides with a half inch seam, backstitching at each end.
Reinforce the zipper ends by stitching over each end of the zip two or three times, so the seam does not split when the cover is pulled on.
Trim the seam allowance and snip diagonally across the corners, staying about 1/8 inch from the stitching so you do not cut through it.
Open the zipper, turn the cover right side out and push the corners out with a point turner. Press the seams flat.
Slide the cushion insert in through the open zipper and close it, smoothing the corners into place.
Tips and common mistakes
Buy an invisible zipper a couple of inches longer than the cushion edge and trim the excess after stitching, so the pull stays out of the way.
Press the zipper coils flat with a cool iron before sewing, which makes it much easier to stitch tight against them.
Stitching too far from the coil leaves a visible line of tape, so keep the needle as close as you safely can.
Keep your fingers behind the blade when using a rotary cutter and cut away from your body.
Questions
Do I need a special invisible zipper foot?
It makes the job much easier because the grooves hold the coil upright while you stitch. A standard zipper foot works, but you must push the coil open with your finger as you sew.
What size zipper do I need for a cushion cover?
Choose one about 2 inches longer than the edge you are putting it in, so a 16 inch zipper for an 18 inch cushion. The extra length gives you room to work and you trim it at the end.
How much fabric does one cushion cover take?
Two squares the size of your insert plus 1 inch. For an 18 inch insert that is two 19 inch squares, or about half a yard of standard width fabric.
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.
