how to make a cushion cover with a zip

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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24-01-2025

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Making your own cushion covers is a rewarding project that lets you personalize your home décor. Adding a zip closure makes the cover easy to remove and wash. This guide will walk you through creating a professional-looking cushion cover with a zip, even if you're a beginner sewer.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather these materials:

• Fabric: Choose your favorite fabric! Consider the weight and texture for your desired look and feel. Allow extra fabric for seam allowances and potential mistakes. For a standard 18" square cushion, you'll need about 22" x 22".
• Zipper: Select a zipper that's slightly shorter than the length of one side of your cushion. An invisible zipper creates a cleaner finish, but a regular zipper is easier for beginners.
• Scissors: Sharp scissors are essential for clean cuts.
• Measuring Tape: Accurate measurements are key to a well-fitting cover.
• Pins: Use plenty of pins to hold your fabric together before sewing.
• Sewing Machine: A sewing machine will make the process much faster, but it's possible to sew by hand.
• Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing your seams will create a professional finish.
• Seam Ripper (optional): Always handy for fixing mistakes!
• Thread: Matching thread will make your seams less noticeable.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cutting Your Fabric:

• Measure and cut two pieces of fabric to the size of your cushion plus 1 inch seam allowance on all sides (e.g., for an 18-inch cushion, cut two 20-inch squares).

2. Preparing the Zipper:

• Invisible Zipper: Follow the instructions that came with your invisible zipper. These zippers usually require a specific technique to sew them in neatly. Many helpful tutorials are available online.
• Regular Zipper: Place the zipper face down along one edge of one fabric piece, aligning the zipper's raw edge with the fabric's raw edge. Pin in place.

3. Sewing the Zipper:

• Invisible Zipper: Carefully stitch the zipper in place according to the specific instructions.
• Regular Zipper: Stitch close to the zipper teeth on both sides, securing the zipper to the fabric.

4. Attaching the Second Fabric Piece:

• Place the second fabric piece right side to right side on top of the zippered piece. Ensure the raw edges are aligned. Pin the two fabric pieces together, along the remaining three sides.

5. Sewing the Sides:

• Stitch along the three remaining sides, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Leave a small gap (about 2 inches) on one side to turn the cover right side out.

6. Turning and Pressing:

• Carefully turn the cover right side out through the opening you left. Use a point turner or chopstick to poke out the corners neatly. Press the seams carefully to create a crisp finish. Close the gap by hand sewing it closed.

7. Finishing Touches:

• Insert your cushion. Zip it up, and admire your handiwork!

Tips for Success

• Pre-wash your fabric: This prevents shrinkage after you've completed your project.
• Use a walking foot: This sewing machine foot helps to feed multiple layers of fabric evenly, particularly helpful when sewing with thicker materials or zippers.
• Test your stitch: Sew a sample seam to ensure you like the stitch length and tension before working on your actual cushion cover.
• Watch tutorials: YouTube is full of fantastic video tutorials that can demonstrate these steps visually. Search for "how to sew a cushion cover with a zip."

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Zipper gets stuck: Make sure the zipper is fully open before sewing, and double-check that you've sewn the zipper tape to the fabric evenly.
• Uneven seams: Use a seam guide on your sewing machine for consistent seam allowances.
• Fabric puckering: Make sure your fabric is feeding evenly through your machine, especially when working with thicker fabrics.

With a little patience and attention to detail, you can create beautiful and functional cushion covers to brighten up any room. Remember to practice, experiment with different fabrics and designs, and most importantly, have fun!