Easy DIY Zippered Pillow Cover
We’ve been welcoming Spring with open arms around this house, switching out the winter wardrobes for flip flops and shorts, cleaning up the porches, and getting the grill ready to go for outdoor dining. I even decided to brighten up the family room with a few new pillows for the couch. It’s one of the easiest ways to makeover furniture without spending a lot of money.
Zippered pillow covers are great because they’re so easy to switch out with the seasons, and even amateur seamstresses can do this! I know, because that’s what I am!
(This post contains affiliate links, which help to support this blog.)
Give this a try–I think you’ll be surprised at how simple it really is.
First, you’ll need pillow inserts. I almost always use down pillows because they look great, feel comfy, and can be re-fluffed over and over. Click here for a great deal on various sizes on down inserts.
Start by cutting 2 squares of your fabric to the size to fit your insert. Remember when sewing pillow covers, measure your insert and add one inch to the size to allow for a 1/2″ seam all around. For instance, if you have an 18″ square pillow, you will cut the fabric to 19″.
Choose an invisible zipper that is approximately 4 inches shorter than the zippered edge of your pillow will be. Since my pillow was 18″, I used the 12-14″ zipper.
With the right side of the fabric facing up, line up the zipper (face down) along the bottom edge of the pillow front.
Sew the zipper onto the fabric as closely as possible to the zipper teeth without sewing over the teeth. Then repeat the process with the other side of the zipper, sewing it to the pillow back.
When the zipper is sewn on, the pillow pieces should look like this when opened up with the right sides of the fabric facing up.
Next, fold the pieces right sides together and sew all around the open edges, including the open ends on each end of the zipper. Just sew right up to where the zipper starts and stops to seal off the zipper. Also, unzip the zipper a little before sewing so you will be able to reach into the sewn pillow after and unzip it to turn it inside out.
Once you’ve sewn all around, unzip it, turn it inside out, and press.
Then, just fill it with your insert and zip it up!
When you like to switch things up as much as I do, zippered pillow covers are the way to go! I mixed my new pillows in with a few other bright ones I found or made, and it’s a great new look for a basic brown leather sofa.
The green houndstooth fabric is from Hobby Lobby, as well as the fabric I used to make the turquoise one. I made the big initial pillow using my favorite freezer paper stenciling. Click here for more on that. And I found the gray and coral pillows at Marshall’s.
I’m loving the update for Spring. And the good news is– it’s gonna be so easy to switch it all up again for Fall!
April 11, 2013 @ 4:42 pm
I love the pillows. I frequently mix it up by changing pillows out too (I have a red sectional that I often try very hard to tone down!)
I also LOVE your kitchen in the background. Beautiful!
April 11, 2013 @ 5:10 pm
Thanks so much, Andrea! Glad you like it!
April 11, 2013 @ 8:35 pm
Julie- Nice tutorial. I love zippered pillow casings and yours turned out great. xo Diana
April 12, 2013 @ 11:57 am
Great pillows! I love the herringbone pattern and color!!~~Angela
April 13, 2013 @ 5:35 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this DIY project. I am challenged when it comes to sewing but I want to learn, so thank you. Karen @ acapecodnest
April 15, 2013 @ 6:42 am
Why have I never thought of doing this???? Brilliant…can't wait to try!
April 15, 2013 @ 1:21 pm
With my pillow addiction, I really should learn how to do this! Will come over now and teach me how to use my sewing machine – we really don't get along! Thanks for linking up at the Monday Funday link party. Take care, Laura
April 15, 2013 @ 1:39 pm
Love this! I am all over green and what a perfect tutorial! Happy to have you at MOnday Funday!Sharing on our FB page! Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs 😉
April 15, 2013 @ 2:39 pm
Great tutorial! Love the mix of prints you have for pillows. 🙂
April 16, 2013 @ 2:46 am
I have never done a sewing project before but I think this will be my first one. The tutorial looks so easy! Thanks for posting
April 16, 2013 @ 3:03 am
Hello, I just wanted to let you know that I have mentioned this post on my blog. If there is anything you would like for me to remove, please let me know. Cheers Jennifer
http://eatcraftsow.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/linkup-party-likes-home-wares.html
April 18, 2013 @ 9:49 pm
Omgosh! I almost bought that material the other day. I think it is currently my fave. Thanks for sharing the tut at Monday Funday. I love ALL the pillows on that couch!
May 6, 2013 @ 6:36 pm
Thanks Julie! Just the project I've been meaning to do for my brown leather couch. Cute pillows! 🙂
May 6, 2013 @ 6:57 pm
Perfect! So glad you stopped by!
Easter DIY Centerpiece - Topiary Bunny with Dollar Tree Supplies
April 15, 2019 @ 4:37 pm
[…] After cutting, you're ready to position the stencil onto your fabric or pre-made pillow! I used a piece of basic canvas drop cloth to make a simple pillow sleeve for a pillow I already had. If you'd like simple instructions for sewing a zippered pillow cover, see my how-to here! […]
November 17, 2019 @ 11:08 pm
could you please share the lovely yellow paint color your used in your kitchen? thx!
November 19, 2019 @ 2:31 pm
that’s Sherwin William’s Morning Sun 🙂