Throw Pillow

This is a personalized pillow coverlet with zipper for a 16x16 pillow form. This tutorial can be easily modified to fit any square pillow form. Zipper length may need to be altered. Zipper should ideally be 2'' smaller than your pillow form.

Pillow Coverlet w/ Zipper

Supplies:

1 yard home decor weight fabric (or 1/2 yard of two coordinating fabrics)

14'' hidden zipper

Coordinating Thread
Measuring Tape

Sewing Machine

Cutting Mat/Rotary Cutter/Seam Ripper

Preparing the Pieces:

Step 1: Using your front fabric, cut out one 16'' by 16'' square.

Step 2: Repeat Step 1 with back fabric.

Optional Step: Personalize your coverlet by adding an initial or other design. I added the "M" monogram using the Landon alphabet applique that I purchased from Planet Applique.

Adding the Zipper:

Step 3: With pretty sides facing each other, match up all four sides of your front and back fabric. Secure the bottom edge with pins. 

Note: I realized after taking this picture that I pinned the top in error.

Step 4: Starting on the coverlet BOTTOM, use a 1/2 seam allowance and straight stitch one inch. Switch to a basting stitch and sew to the opposite corner until there is one inch remaining. Switch back to a straight stitch and complete seam to the end of the bottom portion. 

When you look across the bottom portion of your coverlet you should see 1 inch straight stitch, 14 inches basting stitch and 1 inch straight stitch. 

Step 5: Press seam flaps open.

Step 6: Align zipper teeth, face down, over the seam and pin to the seam flaps ONLY. 

Step 7: Using your zipper foot, sew as close to the zipper teeth as possible along both sides of the zipper.

Step 8: Fold the seam flaps back together. On each end of the zipper, straight stitch from the raw edges of the flaps toward the seam to secure zipper.

Step 9: Flip pieces right side out and using your seam ripper, remove the basting stitches to reveal the zipper. Make sure to leave the 1 inch straight stitch sections intact. 

Step 10: Test zipper to make sure it functions and LEAVE at least half way open. If you skip this step you will not be able to flip your coverlet right side out upon completion.

Assembling Coverlet: 

Step 11: With pretty sides together, align remaining three sides and secure with pins.

Step 12: Using a 1/2 seam allowance, straight stitch along the three remaining sides. 

Optional Step: If fabric is very bulky, you can cut excess fabric at corners to ensure you get a clean point when coverlet is turned right side out. 

Step 13: Turn coverlet right side out and iron seams. Be sure to pay particularly close attention to the corners to make sure they are fulled flipped. 


Step 14: Place pillow form inside coverlet, zip closed and ENJOY!