We all love changing pillows often, but not everyone can afford to buy new pillows; this is why changing the pillow cover is the most appropriate choice. Doing that will not only give you a chance to clean the used pillows, it also helps to change the look of your room.
Since you will not always go to the market searching for a pillowcase, it’s important to know some DIY methods of making pillow covers from home.
Here, we will take you through simple methods of making a cover pillow with a zipper, without a zipper and how to sew a pipping on a pillow.
Table of Contents
How to Sew A Pillow Cover with Zipper?
The most commonly used pillow size for the bedroom and living room is a 20″ square throw pillow. However, you can customize your pillow cover to fit the pillow dimension.
For instance, if you have had an 18″ pillow, then you will cut two 18″ X 18″ squares, and the Zipper would need to be 16 inches. Always ensure that the Zipper is 16 inches shorter than the length of the side you are sewing it on.
Beginner’s guide (18″ pillow)
Materials needed
- Pillow form – 20” X 20″ form
- Coordinating thread
- One yard upholstery weight fabric
- Cutting mat
- 18” Zipper
- Straight pins or sewing pins
- Ruler
- Rotary cutter
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine
Step 1
Cut fabric into pieces of the same size as your pillow form. Since our pillow form is 20”, we will cut two 20” x 20” squares of fabric. Place the two fabric pieces on top of each other and make sure the pattern of the fabric pieces is going in the same direction to give the pillow cover a good look.
Lay the zip along the edge with 2” on one side and mark 2” on the opposite side on the Zipper.
Step 2
Put the clips on the fabric and mark ½” from each side. Use a straight or zig-zag stitch to sew across the Zipper from the end several times to create a stop for the Zipper when using it. Sew from each bottom corner to clip with at least ¼” seam allowance and back stitch both ends.
Step 3
Use the zipper foot to sew the right side of the Zipper. Before reaching the Zipper, lift the presse, move the pull along the foot, and continue sewing. Turn to the other side and repeat and repeat the same process.
Step 4
Open the Zipper until halfway and fold the pillow again with Zipper along the bottom of the case. Clip-on the sides and along the top of the fabric to hold the pieces together.
Sew the seams with ½” seam allowance starting from one side. And then sew across the top and down the opposite side.
Step 5
Clip the fabric corners using scissors to reduce the bulkiness when the pillow cover is turned outside out. Turn the pillowcase to the right side and poke out the corners using a chopstick or any other turning tool.
At this point, iron the pillow cover to remove the wrinkles that could have occurred during sewing.
Your zipper pillow cover is ready! You can go ahead and add your pillow inside the pillowcase and zip it.
How to Make A Pillow Cover Without A Zip?
Like a pillowcase with a zip, making a pillowcase without a zip is a relatively straightforward process. Once you have all the required materials ready, it will not take you more than two hours to make a pillowcase without a zip.
Materials Needed
- Pillow form
- Scissors and rotary cutter
- Iron
- Ruler
- Fabric: Since we are making an 18″ pillow form, we will need 2/3 yard of 44″ wide fabric
- Sewing machine: Even the smallest can do
Directions
Measure the pillowcase to suit your preferred size. Skip this step if you buy a pillow form as the dimension is indicated on the packaging. The most commonly used pillow sizes are 16″ X 16″, 18″ X 18″ and 20 X 20″. However, if you are making a pillowcase out of your pillows, here is a simple procedure you can use to measure the required size.
Step 1
Place the pillow on top of the yardstick or ruler, smooth it a little and eyeball the widest point. Measure the length and the width and then go ahead and cut the fabric. The amount of fabric piece needed depends on the size of your pillow.
Step 2
Remember, the pillow cover is going to wrap around the pillow. The short edges will overlap and have finished openings. For instance, in one short edge, fold 1/4” to the opposite side of the fabric. Repeat the same process to ensure the raw edge is completely tucked inside the fold. Press with an iron and stitch close to the inner edge to ensure that the seem is closed.
Step 3
Now you can go ahead and finish the edges to complete your removable pillowcase. Place the fabric on a flat surface on the right side up. Fold the short edges towards the centre to make the wrong side of the fabric to ensure the fabric faces out at the end.
Use a ruler to measure the length of the pillow to determine where the other fold will fall. The short edges of the fabric should slightly overlap at the back by a couple of inches. For instance, if you measured 18″ for the first fold, that should guide you where the second fold will lie.
Step 4
Stich along the unfinished edges, 1/2″ from the edge. Backstitch along with the places where the short edges meet to add a little reinforcement to the fabric. Once the final edges are sewn, use your fingertip to push out the corners of the cover.
The pillow cover will now slip easily on the pillow like an envelope without zippers or buttons a little squishing, and your cover is all set.
How to Sew Piping on a Pillow
One little detail that can make a difference between a homemade pillow and a professionally made pillow cover is piping. Contrary to what people think, it’s easy to add pipping to your pillow and make your headrest feel awesome.
Materials Needed
- Pieces of fabric
- Sewing pins
- Piping
- Scissors
- Zipper foot
Instructions
Prepare the Pillow Pieces
Once the pillow pieces are ready, an optional zipper is added, and you are set to get started. The first thing to do is pin the outer edge of one pillow piece to make the stitching on the pipping stay in line with the pillow seam. Make sure you leave a couple of extra inches where the pipping will start.
Make a Corner
Pin the pillow cover and then make a smooth but tight corner. Cut the slits into the seam cover allowance and be careful not to trim into the stitching holding the pipping together. Make sure to cut enough slits, so the corner sits flat and smooth.
Pin the pipping
Once the corner of the fabric is clipped, pin it in place along the corner. You don’t have to worry if the piping is a little bunched; it will flip out to the outside of the seam. Once you have done this all the way, you will have some piping left and keep the few extra inches unpinned.
When the piping pieces overlap, the first edge will come on top, while the second edge will veer off the fabric of the first layer.
Sew the Piping to the Pillow
Use the regular Zipper to sew the piping and stitch the top of the fabric pieces. It is best to set it right up against the rounded part. The best thing about this is that some machines have the option of piping presser feet, so it’s important to check your machine to see if you can get one.
Start sewing where the two piping ends meet while hanging off the fabric. Make sure to keep the piping as smooth as possible to help glide easily to the fabric.
Stitch Around the Corner
Once you reach the fabric corner, stitch slowly to ensure you are in line with the piping stitching. Also, keep the pipping in place for a smooth and slightly rounded corner. Reduce the stitch length if you can; shorter stitches will give more accurate curves.
Take the unpinned extra piping to the end of the overlap, the first bit of the piping. Snip the extra piping from the beginning to the end to make sure the pieces aligned with the edge of the fabric.
Set the second layer of the fabric on top of the first and right sides together. Line up the outer edges and pin it in place all around the pillow. In the second part of the Zipper, unzip the second layer of the Zipper and make sure the two layers don’t separate during sewing.
Stitch the pieces together
Using the zipper foot, stitch the pieces together on the seam allowance to keep you in line with the edge of the cord in the piping. When you get to the overlap, stitch through it as if it were flat.
Just as you were sewing the pipping, be careful at the corners. When you reach one, keep the stitching smooth and make sure it’s right against the piping. Once all the layers are sewn together, trim down the corners to be easily turned to the right side without much bulk.
Trim the Zipper
If the Zipper is on top of the layer, trim the extra bit in both ends. Turn the pillowcase right side out and have your pillow cover ready!
Conclusion
And there you go; your pillow cover is ready! The procedure might look difficult to comprehend on paper, but you will realize how simple this procedure is once you try it. You can make use of this pillow cover sewing procedure to turn around the look of your home.