Lets Make a Cushion Cover

Are you new to sewing, or just a kid who wants to sew his mum a cushion  Do you want to use an invisible zip? Making a cushion cover is fun and fairly simple. The tricky part is the invisible zip...

There are plenty of invisible zip tutorials on the Internet. But I learn best by pictures, and so do a lot of children, so this video a good one for a beginner to learn from.

Materials Needed

Approximately 1 metre of fabric if fabric has a nap

1 cushion inner/ or make your own from an old pillow

Thread to match fabric

Pins

Tape measure/ quilters ruler

1 Invisible zip 30- 35 cm. Size will depend on cushion cover

Newsprint/paper to make pattern

Sewing machine

Overlocker/Serger a zig-zag stitch

Sharp scissors

Quilters cutting mat

What Does Nap Mean?

Nap is fabric that has a pile like velvet. This makes the fabric look different shades of colour from different angles. Hence you need to cut the fabric in the same direction, or the garment you are sewing will look like you have used two different fabrics.

Cushion size

Is approximately 46 cm. Cover size is approximately 43cm.

Okay Lets Start Sewing

Firstly choose the fabric, check for one way designs and nap. Make sure the nap is going the right way if you chooses something like velvet, fur, etc. The big one is to check for flaws in the fabric, there is nothing worse than sewing up your creation and you spot a flaw.

Oh no a flaw, I didn't check  the fabric before I cut out the
cover so now I have one flawed cushion!

Make the pattern out of newsprint. I used a 43x43cm  (17") pattern
for a 46x46cm  (18") cushion inner.

Purchase a invisible zip to match the fabric. Mine is 30-35cm long

Using a iron, not too hot. Iron the zipper teeth flat on the wrong
side, one side at a time. Refer to video above. 

Three pairs of cushion covers ready to sew out of 1 1/2 metres
fabric. Fabric bought from Spotlight

Overlock the edge of fabric you are sewing the zip on to. Make
sure you have the design and Nap of the fabric going the right
 way. The zip is at the bottom of the cushion.

Pin zip approximately 5/8" from the overlocked edge

Use an invisible zip foot start to sew the zip. 

Get ready to start to turning the zip to pin to  the other side.
Refer to video...

Zip turned over now. Pin it to sew. Excuse the messy
sewing mat...

The inside/ wrong side of  zip finished

Using a zipper foot sew up to zip stitching and stitch a little bit over.
 It doesn't matter if you stitch a bit below the zip stitching.

This is how the zip will look on the out side of the cover.

Pin 5/8" seams around the cover on wrong side.

Change machine to a straight stitching foot and sew seams.

Next overlock/serge the rest of seams

You don't need to tie off overlocker stitches because you are
going to cut them off.

Cut straight across the corners and beware of the seam. Use fabric
 glue where you have cut to prevent fraying. This is optional.

Use something pointy/or a tool designed for poking out corners.
 This makes the sewn corners nice and square

Place the cushion into the cushion cover. 

If you want a tighter cover just subtract  measurements when
drafting the pattern. If you want a looser  cover just add measurements.
 Don't forget your  seam allowance though.