Looking for a fun way to use zippers? Add them to the next pillow you create. Using a Baby Lock serger and the cording foot plus four zippers easily serge this decorative zipper pillow. Click here to download printable instructions.
Materials:
- 1 Yard of home decorator fabric
- 4 Spools Madeira® serging thread colors to coordinate with fabrics
- 4 - 20” long zippers with plastic coils
- 18” Pillow form
- Rotary cutter ruler and mat
- Sewing clips
- Basic sewing and serging supplies
Tools:
- Baby Lock® Acclaim Serger
- Serger Cording Foot
Steps:
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Follow the next set of cutting directions to cut the fabric needed for the decorative pillow (Finished Size: 18” square):
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From the home decorator fabric cut two sections that measure 20” square.
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Fold only one of the sections into four quadrants and press.
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Cut each of the four corners off at a diagonal as shown in the following illustration. Place the ruler along the diagonal creased lines and cut.
If your fabric has a pattern as the fabric in the sample be sure to place the corners back together to maintain the pattern.
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Snap that cording foot onto the serger and set the machine up for a 4-Thread Overlock stitch. Set the Length to 2.5; Width 7.5 then set the Stitch Selector to A.
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Use two pieces of fabric for a test to be sure that the stitch settings are OK.
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Note: there is a groove on the backside of the cording foot. The teeth on the zipper will lay in that groove during serging
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With right sides together lay the first zipper centered along one of the diagonal cut edges.
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You can leave a little seam allowance if desired but it is not necessary. If you do your knife will trim it off!
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Both of the zipper ends should hang over each of the ends of the pillow section about 2” or more.
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Tip: I like to use sewing clips to hold the zipper in place. Be sure that the zipper is closed.
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Tip: The zipper pull will need to be kept out of the way so that it does not interfere with the path of the needles or the serger knife.
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Place the clipped section under the needle with the teeth of the zipper placed in the groove on the cording foot. Lower the presser foot.
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Serge along that diagonal edge. Remove the clips as you serge. To end the seam pull the end off at an angle away from the serger and cut the threads.
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Press the serged edge to the wrong side of the section as shown below.
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Using the sewing clips attach the corner section to the zipper tape; placing right sides together as shown in the following illustration.
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Serge along the edge of the zipper with the zipper teeth placed centered in the groove on the foot. Open the corner and press the seam flat.
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Repeat for the other three zippers while following Steps 4-9. The zippers will overlap at each of the corners.
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Remember to keep the zipper pulls away from the needles or the blade. Since the coils are made of plastic cutting through the coils with the serger blade is OK.
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Once all of the corners have been serged to the zippers trim the section to an 18” square. Tip: If you like a puffier pillow trim the square to the same size as the pillow form.
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Cut the pillow back the same size as the pillow front.
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With right sides together serge around the three outer edges of the pillow while leaving one side open
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On the remaining edge serge inward 4” and angle off to end the stitch.
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Turn to the pillow top so that the opposite side is under the needles and serge inward 4” and angle off to end the stitch. This will leave a 6” – 8” opening.
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Insert the pillow form and slip stitch the opening closed. Or as an Option: insert a zipper to the center back using the same technique as used in these directions.