Tutorial: Throw Pillow with a Zipper

This simple and easy-to-follow tutorial will show you how to make a throw pillow with a zipper. Get the designer throw pillow look at home, for less!

I’ve had a recent influx of requests asking how I make a throw pillow with a zipper, after I shared a few weeks ago that I was sewing. I created this tutorial about nine years ago, and since it’s every bit as relevant today, I updated it with some currently information to share with you again!

If you don’t know this already, I have a serious throw pillow obsession. I crave designer looks but not always the designer prices. Many of the more affordable versions of designer pillows online only have the pattern on the front of the pillow with a cheap linen or other backing on the reverse side. Today I’m going to share with you a simple tutorial for making your own throw pillow with a zipper.

About a decade ago, I decided I had to learn how to make my own throw pillows. It turns out that I could buy enough fabric for an entire set of pillows (with the same fabric front and back) for even less than one pillow at most online shops. I started with envelope pillows, using a method my mom taught me. You can read my envelope-back pillow tutorial here if that method interests you instead. It still works well, but I started to hate the extra cut (I hate cutting fabric), and I preferred the look of zipper-bottomed pillows. So, today I’ll be sharing my updated method with you for how I make a throw pillow with a zipper.

This post was originally published September 11, 2013 and contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

How To Make Throw Pillow With a Zipper

I’m going to start off by saying that I first learned this technique from a blog called Casa Brasi. Unfortunately the blog shut down over a decade ago. Thankfully, I have most of the steps memorized at this point. However, I thought I would recreate the tutorial but with the modifications I use that I find work best for me.

This is a really basic tutorial, and for a more advanced seamstress, you probably have even better methods for some of these steps. However, I’m going to assume you know how to work your sewing machine. I am a VERY beginner sewer and can’t do much outside of a straight line. If you can do that and follow directions well, you’re golden.

Supplies Needed To Make A Throw Pillow With A Zipper

Following are the supplies you will need to make a throw pillow with a zipper.

• Fabric (be sure to check out my favorite sources for designer fabrics and throw pillows)
• Thread
• Scissors
• A zipper (these are my favorite zippers)
• A sewing machine
• Pillow insert (I prefer down or down alternative for the most designer and high-end look)

My recommendation is to start with some really cheap fabric for your first time through. This will make you much less nervous as you try out each of the steps!

Step 1:

Cut out your fabric. I like my pillow covers to fit fairly snug so adjust accordingly if that is not your preference. For example, when I am making covers for a 27″x27″ Euro sham, like I am demonstrating in this post, I cut my fabric exactly 27″x27″. I do not allow for a seam allowance.

Step 2:

Face the fabric print to print (think of it as inside out), so that your finished sides are touching on top of each other and that any pattern matching you have done is lined up. I pulled back one corner so you could see what I was referring to. I then add a stick pin to the top two corners and each of the sides (in the middle).

Step 3:

Open the zipper and unzip it all the way. I usually buy 24″ zippers in the natural color, regardless of the size or color pillow I’m making. I find the longer length works best (you’ll see why shortly) and the cream tends to go with nearly all fabrics. The white is usually much too bright. Here are the zippers I use most frequently. You can see all zipper colors and lengths they offer here, to find one that best fits your needs.

Step 4:

Once the zipper is open all the way, flip it upside down (zipper pull facing down) and line up the bottom edge of the zipper with the bottom edge of your bottom fabric (just fold the top layer of fabric back a bit). Extend the zipper out about an inch past the edge of the fabric like below. This is the part that always confused me the most so I took a few pictures from different zoom levels so you could see what I was referring to. Once in place, add stick pins down the length of the zipper.

**Note: the longest zipper length I can find is 24″ so you’ll note that it stops short on my pillows. For smaller pillows you may have zipper hanging over the edge but its OK! Don’t panic. In fact – I prefer it to hang over as it is much easier down the road.

Step 5:

At this point in the process, you’re ready to start the actual sewing! Take out the first stick pin (or more, depending on how close you have them together) and adjust your footer like the photo below. I basically drop the footer on the zipper head and let it fall forward so I start sewing nearly exactly on the pillow edge and just past the zipper (make sure not to actually sew on the zipper head on accident). You can see I line the needle line up as close to the zipper teeth as I can, without actually hitting them. I’ve done that before and it is a real pain to unpick. I find it’s best to have the left foot sitting just over the zipper teeth and you’ll usually find the right foot sits just on the other edge of the zipper and base fabric. *Note: I do not use a zipper foot. I just leave my regular foot on for all steps in this tutorial.

Step 6:

Pinch the zipper over like below and place the top layer of fabric over the zipper (while it is pinched). Take caution to allow the zipper to line up naturally with the bottom layer so that if you were to imagine pulling the zipper the bottom layer of fabric and top layer of fabric are still lined up without a kink in the zipper.

Here is a shot with it opened up. At this point add stick pins to pin the top layer of fabric to the top part of the zipper on the finished fabric side. Again, be sure items don’t shift to ensure the zipper functions properly once sewn.

Step 7:

Start sewing from the opposite end (the end of the zipper), but following the same techniques listed above otherwise.

Step 8:

Congrats! You’ve finished what I think is the hardest part. It’s really just straight lines from here on out!

Next up, I zip the pillow about three-fourths of the way shut. Your fabric squares should still line up nicely when you do this. If off a little, you should be okay. But if you see some significant shifting at this point (which, if you were careful on Step 6, this should not be an issue) you will want to unpick one of the zippers sides and redo it.

As far as the opening left, just make sure that when you eyeball it, you think you will be able to fit your hand inside if the seam on the side were sewn shut (the right side of the fabric in the picture below, if they were closed). You’ll need to ensure you can unzip the pillow after the next few steps so you need to be able to reach your hand inside to grab the pull, but it does help to have the zipper closed at least halfway so that the sewing of your other sides is easier.

Step 9:

After you zipped the pillow part way in the step above, you will want to cut off any overhang on the zipper track. If your pillow is smaller, you will need to do this on both ends. But in my example since the pillow is longer than the zipper, I only had to cut the back end off. This step seems unnatural to me since you’re chopping off the “stopper”, but trust me. You’re good as long as you don’t try to run the zipper past the edges at this point.

Step 10:

Now comes the easiest parts of all. You’re going to sew the three remaining sides shut. I use the same format and have the right part of the foot touching the outer edge of my fabric, probably only leaving 1/2″-3/4″ seam allowance. I know this is smaller than the usual 1″ you read in other tutorials, but for me, this is the easiest way for me to eyeball a straight line. And it works. Once you hit the zipper track on the two ends, you just go right over it – the needle goes right through the teeth. Note, I always do a backstitch or two as I reach the end of each corner.

Step 11:

Once your pillow is fully sewn shut, you have two more lines to sew. This is the next semi-tricky part (mostly because I find it the hardest to describe). However, once you get the hang of it, you won’t be intimidated. As with most pillows with zippers you see, the fabric looks normal until about two or three inches from each edge where the zipper actually starts.

So, we now need to sew that two or three inch section that acts as our zipper “stops”. You want to be on the inside edge of the zipper track – meaning the side opposite the edge of the pillow. You also want to be just high enough that you won’t hit the zipper track. Just sew a straight line for a few inches, and then back-stitch three or so times. You want to ensure this area is pretty tough and won’t rip, because it’s where the zipper will be open and closed from. I tried to include several photos of how this looks on the machine, once sewn, etc. as I think visually it makes more sense.

You can see I sewed until just where the arrow points – which is just above the zipper line and in from the side about three inches.

Both sides are done and the pillow has now been left mostly unzipped. Time to flip!

Step 12:

You’re ready to flip it right-side out! The best part in my opinion. I typically use my scissor tips to help fully push out the edges. But do be cautious! You don’t want to rip your beautiful new pillow cover!

**Note: some recommend cutting a slit on each corner but I find because my seam allowance is smaller this is never an issue. Plus, I’m not looking for a sharp, squared-off corner.

See from Step 11 how the zipper just fades once you have your pillow form inside? The other end looks just as great.

A karate chop later and you are DONE!

Where to Buy Pillow Inserts for Your Throw Pillows

Now, a note about pillow inserts. I used to only use polyfills because they were cost effective. But they also looked lifeless, and you can’t karate chop them.

My current all-time favorite pillow inserts are these from Serena & Lily. I try to only buy them on sale, but they are by far the highest quality I can find. Several I have that are 3-4 years old, still look brand new without any feather loss. My least favorite are these and these from Pottery Barn. While I love most of their products, but they do not excel at pillow inserts 😉

I’ve also been really happy with these  more affordable online options. I also have loved the ones from Robey’s Wholesale Pillow Inserts which are a 90/10 blend I also feel like they carry a wider selection of sizes than the local fabric stores. However, their shipping costs can get a bit excessive.

Following are the pillow forms I used nine or so years ago from Hancock Fabric and load up when offered sales on them. I thought I would mention that option, as well, if you’re needing something same-day locally!

Examples of Pillows I’ve Made With This Tutorial

DIY Throw Pillows in Our Den

I recently made the hummingbird pillows and paired them with an old pillow I made eight years ago along with a new Serena & Lily find! They’re all linked below the image.

DIY Pillows In Our Master Bedroom

{sewn and posted here – the last on our current master bedroom found here}

DIY Throw Pillows In The Queen Guest Room

{read the latest on this room here – note – I did not sew the blue and white striped body pillow which is from Target}

Our Prior Living Room

{to see this in our current living room click here – note – I did not sew the pillow in the front left with the piping}

If you would like to follow along on more of my home decor, DIY, lifestyle, travel and other posts, I’d love to have you follow me on any of the following:

Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | LTK

disclosure: some affiliate links used