Pillows

I moved into a new apartment in August and was not thrilled with the fabric options from the pre-made curtains available in stores.  So,  I stumbled upon a fabric store in Lewisburg called The Beckoning Cat.  This store is an absolute gem.  The owner imports fabrics from Japan, and they are beautiful.  I found a piece of fabric that I fell in LOVE with immediately ... so I bought it.  Unfortunately, there was not enough for curtains, so I decided to use them for a few large pillows.  This became my inspiration fabric.  I did eventually find some fabric for curtains that I liked at Joann Fabrics in my mom's area, but we'll save that project for another post :)

I have to say that I absolutely adore fabric shopping ... fabrics are incredibly beautiful.  Narrowing it down to one is difficult, and if I didn't have my pillow fabric to focus my search, it would have been slightly overwhelming to make a decision.

So, here are my very basic instructions for sewing pillows with an invisible zipper.



1.  Cut two fabric squares the size of your pillow form (or 1/2 inch more at most).  I followed instructions that said to add an inch or two, but I did that for my first one and it looked limp and lifeless ... so I had to redo it so that the pillow would actually fill-out its case. 




2.  Center the invisible zipper on your the right side of your fabric with the teeth up and toward the center of the pillow (not the outer edge).  Pin the zipper.  The ends of the pins should face the zipper head.


3.  Install your invisible zipper presser foot and begin sewing at the start of the teeth of the zipper.  Make sure to backstitch to strengthen it.  As you sew the zipper, remove the pins.  Continue sewing the zipper until the zipper stops the presser foot.  Backstitch again to strengthen.


4.  Now it's time to sew the other side of the invisible zipper to your second piece of fabric.  You need to place the zipper on the right side of your second piece of fabric with the teeth facing the center of the pillow (not the outer edge).  Pin the zipper and sew as before.  If it looks like you need to sew a little closer to the zipper teeth ... do it!



5.  Close the zipper 2/3rds of the way and then line up the corners on either end of the invisible zipper. and pin.  (Leave the tail ends of the zipper out, don't pin or sew them down)  Install your regular presser foot and sew the perimeter.  Make sure you pivot 90 degrees at each corner with the needle in the fabric to achieve a nice, sharp edge.

6.  Turn your pillow case right side out, press out the corners with a pointy object, and then stuff it with your pillow form!  I recently saw a project where the sewer lined her pillows ... I think I will try that next time.

This project would never have taken place if it were not for my mom ... thanks Mom!