DIY Monogrammed Zippered Pillow Cover (An Easy Tutorial for the Total Beginner)

The first thing you need to do is cut 2 pieces of fabric, one for the front of the pillow and one for the back.

I like to cut my fabric to the dimensions of my pillow insert + 1 cm (1/2 inch) seam allowance only on one side where the zipper will be.

This way it fits the pillow form nice and slightly snug. If you like it tighter, don’t add the 1cm and just cut to the exact dimensions of my pillow insert.

I used my Silhouette Studio to design the Monogram. Since it reads most of your fonts, you can choose your favorite. I used a serif one that I love. Then I found a cute curvy floral stem and using the tracing tool I converted it on a cut-able shape. Adjusted a few lines to be look smoother and it was done!

Then I created a circle with the stem shape duplicating it and adjusting position and angle. It took me 4 stems in total.

Placed the M (Medina Family) in the center and right below the M, I added est. 2009 which is the year we got married.

The Monogram was ready. I just adjusted the size to the maximum the machine could cut (12×12 Inches).

Then when using Freezer paper it’s important to remember that the waxed side should be facing up. For this reason is critical to remember to flip the design before cutting. For this, you just need to select the whole design and go to Object > Mirror > Flip Horizontally.

Now you can send to cut. I used Copy Paper setting, BUT I set the blade to 1 instead the default 2.

Once cut, carefully remove from mat the main design, leaving the inner parts for now.

Take one piece of your fabric, iron it well and mark the center. Place carefully your freezer paper stencil wax side facing down on the fabric as centered as you can.

Iron it (again carefully) onto your the fabric.

Then add those little inner shapes (like the inner cero and nine pieces) to the correct places and iron them down.

I protected a small cutting mat with plastic and taped the fabric to it. You can use cardboard too.

Add some paint on a paper place or piece of paper. With your foam brush spread the paint all over your design making sure you don’t paint beyond the edges.

Let it dry for a few minutes and peel off the stencil and all the inner parts.

Let it dry completely. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to an hour but make sure you read the paint directions just in case.

Fold about 1 cm (1/2 Inch) wrong sides together of the bottom side of your fabric and Iron it.

Do this on both pieces.

Then align your 2 pieces of fabric (folded sides together) and your place your zipper on top as centered as possible.

Now, align your zipper from end to end to the folded edge on top of the folded side. Pin in place both sides making sure the 2 fabric pieces are still aligned.

If you turn it you will see the zipper is not visible.

My zipper was slightly larger than my pillow size so I centered it.

Once you finish pining zipper in place you will get something like this:

The first thing you need to do is to put your zipper foot on. Hold your zipper foot in your hand. Do you see how it almost looks like 1/2 of a regular foot? When you attach it to your machine, you’ll want the “missing side” closest to the zipper and sew down that side, then you’ll switch it and do the other side.

I also found out easier to work with the zipper unzipped. I mean all open.

We are ready. Be sure you are back to a regular straight stitch and start at the end of the zipper farthest away from the zipper handle sewing just like you would any other straight line, but keep it as close to the zipper teeth as possible.

Also remove pins as you move on.

When you get to the zipper pull, you won’t be able to keep going because it takes up some space. So stop just a little bit away from it, keeping your needle down in the fabric (if possible.) Lift your foot and carefully zip the zipper past the foot, lower your foot and continue to the end of the zipper. Backstitch to end your stitch.

For the other side, I do the same I did but switch the needle position to the other side.

When you finish the other side, YOU MADE IT! You installed a zipper!!!!!

But before moving on we need a final touch to the zipper. Zip the pillow all the way shut and about 1 cm (1/2 Inch) from the fabric edge, stitch across the zipper along the edge. Just a few stitches about an inch long onto the zipper.

Do this on both ends making sure the zipper is inbetween both ends.

After you zipped the pillow part way in the step above, you will want to cut off any overhang on the zipper track

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 it shouldn’t) you will need to unpick one of the zippers sides and redo it.

Go back to your machine, put your regular foot back on and sew the remaining edges with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, cutting across diagonally at the corners.

Then zig-zag stitch the edge (serge without a serger) to make sure the fabric won’t fray. This will give your edges a finished look and keep them from fraying.

You’re ready to turn your zippered pillow cover right side out! My favorite part!.

I usually use my scissor tips to helpfully push out the edges (but very carefully!) you don’t want to rip your beautiful new pillow cover!

Now, get a pillow insert in there and enjoy!!!