Do you want to replace your old cushion covers but are scared of sewing zips? Store bought cushion covers can be expensive so making your own is not only satisfying but will save you a lot of money. Today I am going to show you how to make zippered cushion covers with this easy step by step tutorial.
How to Make Zippered Cushion Covers: Supplies
- Fabric – use decorator fabric or cotton quilting fabrics
- Your cushion insert
- Regular and Zipper sewing machine foot
- Zip – 3 inches (7.5cm) shorter than your pillow insert (Zips are measured along their teeth and not the tape.)
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Pins
How to Make Zippered Cushion Covers: The Video
Are you a visual learner? Then watch this video I created for you on zippered cushion covers. Don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel for weekly sewing videos.
HOW TO MAKE ZIPPERED CUSHION COVERS: Sewing
First measure your pillow and cut 2 squares of fabric the same size. I purposely haven’t added seam allowance so my finished cover will be snug and my pillow will look firmer. If you want a looser cover you could always add extra 1/2 inch (12mm) seam allowance all the way around.
If you are using a fabric that frays, serger one edge on each of the fabric pieces. This will be the edge we add the zip.
Put your 2 pieces with RIGHT sides together.
Mark with a ruler 2 inches (5cm) from either end on one side of your square (the edge you sergered). We will be sewing the zip between the 2 marks.
Starting at the ends sew along to the marks with a 1/2 inch (12mm) seam allowance. Make sure you back stitch at the ends and marks to hold it securely. Use a small 2.0 length stitch for extra strength.
Now set your machine to its longest basting stitch length (4.0 and above), and stitch between the 2 marks. Do not back stitch.
Press open the seam.
Your zipper needs to be the length in between the 2 marks. Note that zips are measured by the length of their teeth and not the length of the tape. (Read how to measure zippers)The tape will be longer than the 2 marks.
If you don’t have the right size zip you can shorten one.
Plastic is easier to shorten than metal. You can also buy zips by the yard if you are making lots of cushion covers. Once you have made one you may be addicted!
With your fabric still the WRONG way up, place the zip WRONG way up over the basted section. The coils of the zip should be directly centered over the seam. It is really important that your zip head is pointing up towards the edge of the fabric. That way you can move it out of the way if you need to.
For beginner sewers I recommend hand basting the zip in place to make it easier to sew.
Using a zipper foot, stitch along the edges of the zipper all the way to the end of the fabric. When you come to sewing near the zipper head you may need to move it down out of the way if it is too bulky.
You will notice that in my video above I sewed on the right side of the fabric instead of underneath. Either way works fine.
Flip the cover over to the RIGHT SIDE. With a seam ripper, remove the basting threads covering the zip. Make sure you stop at both the marks and don’t cut into the stitching at the ends.
Unzip the zipper at least half way and stitch across the ends of the zip next to where the teeth finish. Be careful you don’t hit any metal underneath.
Fold the fabric in half with RIGHT sides together stitch around the sides and bottom of the cover with your regular machine foot.
If your fabric frays, zig-zag or use a serger over the raw edges. This will give greater durability to your cover and looks professional. Don’t forget to clip the corners.
Turn your cover RIGHT way out and give it a good press. Looks good, doesn’t it? Now you have a removable zippered cover you can wash when it gets dirty.
PIN THIS IMAGE FOR LATER 🙂
Sherry Lang says
Thank you very helpful 🙂
treasurie says
Hi Sherry, thanks so much for reading 🙂