Zipper Pillow Tutorial

Since I am constantly changing out my decor, I am switching out pillows just as often.  One way to save money on pillows is to add a zipper making it easy to take out and reuse your pillow forms, AND reusing your pillow covers down the road without ripping out stitches and resewing them.  

I'm sure there is a correct way to sew a zipper; however, I am to impatient to read and follow directions so I thought I would show you the way I taught myself to sew them. 

To start the pillow, cut out two equal squares, mine are 14x14 inches. 

  

Place the two fronts together and sew the top and sides, leaving the bottom open - 

 Originally I was going to make this pillow larger, but had to change plans when I realized I didn't have enough fabric as I thought I would.  (This fabric was left over from a roman shade I am making)

I had purchased a 14" zipper from Walmart for under $2.  When I realized it wouldn't fit my new pillow I new I would have to shorten it-

Shortening your zipper is simple.  Mark with a pen where you want the zipper to stop at and sew across that line a few times - 

Once sewn, you can cut off the extra zipper.

  

Next turn the zipper so the top of it is facing down.  Open the pillow and place the edge of the zipper, to the edge of the INSIDE of your pillow (see below) -

After sewing this side, switch and sew the other side of the zipper (still face down) to the inside of the other side - 

Make sure you don't sew the very ends of the zipper, leaving about an inch of pillow on each ends - 

 Once both sides are sewn, gather both ends of the zipper and pull them separately from the pillow, sew the last inch of the pillow shut without the zipper in it - 

Flip it right side out, insert your pillow form, and zip closed! - 

Now, you can change out your pillow as easy as tomorrow and easily use it again months from now no problem! -