How to Make a Quilted Throw Pillow Cover (Easy Tutorial)
In this blog post, I am going to show you how to make a quilted throw pillow cover for a 20″ pillow insert. The change of seasons is always a good time to freshen up the home decor and throw pillows are an easy way to accomplish that. This cute pillow cover is a great single block project and an excellent way to get accustomed to working with zippers. This tutorial is for a standard-size pillow but can be adapted for any size throw pillow. Making a throw pillow cover is a great way to reuse a decorative pillow rather than purchasing a new pillow.
Video Tutorial
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Supplies Needed
How big should I make my throw pillow cover?
The answer to this question depends on how full you would like your throw pillow. For a fuller pillow, I suggest the finished cover be about 1″ smaller than the pillow insert. This tutorial starts with a 20.5″ x 20.5″ quilt block and finished at slightly larger than 19″ x 19″ after quilting and assembly. This size is perfect for a 20″ pillow insert.
How to Use Scrap Batting
Smaller quilting projects like this are a perfect way to use up smaller pieces of quilt batting. Simply put up the raw edges of the batting and stitch together with a wide zig-zag stitch. No one will know!
How to Make a Zippered Pillow Cover
1. Quilt the Front Panel
On a flat surface, lay the scrap fabric backing piece flat. I would suggest using a piece of fabric you no longer like or have no plans to use because it will be hidden inside the pillow. Lay the piece of batting on top of the backing, followed by the quilt block. Baste the layers together with wither basting pins, basting stitches, or a basting spray. I like to use a basting spray, like this one, for these smaller quilting projects.
Once your quilt sandwich is basted, go ahead and quilt it however you prefer. This is a great opportunity to practice some free-motion quilting or try a new quilting design. I opted for some diagonal line quilting, spaced 1″ apart.
To do this, I mark the first line from corner to corner diagonally on the quilt block and sew directly on the marked line, I then sew straight lines, parallel to the original line, using my walking foot with a seam guide. I repeat the process with a second set of lines perpendicular to the first.
After quilting the front panel, use an acrylic ruler and rotary cutter to trim and square the mini quilt to 20.5″ x 20.5″
2. Cut the Back Panel
Cut the canvas (or duck cloth) to match the dimensions of the quilted panel. Set aside.
3. Cut Fabric Zipper Tabs
For a more finished look, fabric tabs should be added to either end of the zipper. To do this, cut 2 pieces of fabric approximately 6″ long and the same width (or slightly wider) as the zipper. You can use a bit of extra fabric from either the back or front panels.
4. Attach the Fabric Tab to 1 End of the Zipper
Fold each piece of fabric in half and press. Then fold over the ends approximately 1/4″ and press again.
To attach the fabric tab to the zipper, unfold the tab at the center and place the wrong side of the fabric against the back side of the zipper, making sure to leave the metal stopper on the side that will be trimmed off.
Sew across the tab and zipper about 1/8″ from the edge of the folded end. Go slow and take care when going over the teeth of the zipper. I have found that zippers with plastic teeth are very forgiving, but metal teeth need to be sewn over carefully so as not to break your needle. Next, trim the end of the zipper to remove the metal stopper. It would be flush with the raw end of the fabric tab.
Next, fold the tab closed so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing the front side of the zipper.
Line up the ends of the tab and sew over the zipper and tab again about 1/8″ from the edge of the folded end.
5. Attach Fabric Tab to Other End of Zipper and Trim to Size
Next, the zipper needs to be trimmed to the correct length. Lay the back panel fabric flat and lay the zipper across the bottom edge, lining up the end of the fabric tab with the edge of the fabric.
Next, open up the second fabric fab and line up the center fold with the opposite edge of the fabric panel. Lay the zipper on top of the fabric tab and pin it into place.
Sew the tab to the zipper just like the first one.
Before trimming the zipper, make sure the zipper pull is between the two fabric tabs and NOT on the end that will be trimmed off.
Next, fold the tab closed so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing the front side of the zipper. Line up the ends of the tab and sew over the zipper and tab again about 1/8″ from the edge of the folded end.
When finished, the zipper with fabric tabs should be the same width as the quilted panel and back panel. In this case, 20.5″ long. Trim the raw edges match the width of the zipper and to remove fraying threads.
6. Attach the Zipper to the Pillow cover
Place the zipper, right sides together, with the back panel. Make sure the zipper is centered and the long edge is lined up with the raw edge of the fabric. Pin into place.
Using your sewing machine with a zipper presser foot (Bernina #4), sew about 1/4″ from the edge of the zipper and as close to the zipper teeth as possible.
While sewing, you may need to maneuver around the zipper pull. To do this easily, unzip the zipper a few inches and sew up to the zipper pull. Then stop sewing, with the needle down.
Lift the presser full and pull the zipper pull past the presser foot. Lower the presser foot and continue sewing.
Attach the zipper to the front panel by placing both panels’ right sides together and pinning the other side of the zipper to the raw edge of the quilted front panel. Sew into place using the same steps as above.
Once the zipper has been sewn to both the front and back sides of the pillow cover, remove the zipper foot and attach your standard presser foot. Next, fold the back panel so that the zipper is lying flat and the seam is folded open, with the fabric right side up.
Sew a top stitch on the front of the back panel, about 1/8″ from the folded edge of the fabric panel.
Repeat this with the front quilted panel.
This will help the zipper lay flat and give your pillow cover a more finished look.
7. Sew the Pillow Cover closed
Unzip the zipper and fold the pillow cover so that the front of the pillow and back of the pillow cover are right sides together.
Line up the raw edges of the front and back fabric pieces and pin them in place. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew around the remaining three outer edges of the entire pillow cover.
When sewing over the fabric tabs of the zipper, make sure they are folded away from the edge before sewing over it. Trim any excess fabric from the corners to reduce bulk, making sure not to cut through any stitches.
8. Turn the Pillow Cover and Insert the Pillow Form
Once the pillow edges are sewn together, turn the pillow case right side out through the open zipper. Use a point-turner, or similar tool, to gently poke out the corners of the pillow. Insert the pillow form and zip shut. Fluff and enjoy!
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