How to put an invisible zipper in a pillow with welt, piping, or decorative cord trim

[@TheThoughtfulWoodworker]

I enjoyed this tutorial very much. I think I'll just watch it again each time I work with invisible zippers. If your goal was to teach sewing in a kind and unassuming way, you have certainly succeeded. Good info and nice presentation too!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thank you for that!

[@jackieless7065]

This was an awesome tutorial!! In the first 2 minutes she corrected one of the biggest problems I was having putting a zipper into my pillow/where to place the zipper teeth before sewing so I didn't have so much space left between the zipper and the seam:) I worked on this pillow 5 HOURS yesterday!! I was afraid I would be celebrating another birthday before I finished this pillow. Thank you so much!!

[@paulbailey7743]

This is the best tutorial I've seen for this application. Thank you! I always struggle to get the zipper close enough to the welt cord.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Glad to be of service 😊

[@maryrichardson6692]

AMAZING TUTORIAL!!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXCELLENT INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!

[@kathleenmcculloch3504]

Wow! This really works! This was a big unknown to me as I don’t do this very much. But by following it step by step I managed to make a pillow with a welt and zipper. The zip is truly hard to find. Thank you!

[@patricianeeland5638]

I am so glad I watched this. After several attempts on my own; I was going to give up on piping on pillows that use an invisible zipper or put the zipper in the back which would result in not being able yo use both sides. Got this mastered the first time. Thank you so much.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

That's awesome!! 🙂

[@brigittesvideostuff]

I feel like a cushion superhero! I did it! Thanks for the step by step instructions! I have learned a lot watching your videos. I used a Sailrite LS-1 and a Babylock Accomplish for the cushions.

[@clerydesigns729]

Thanks. Another really helpful invisible zip tutorial. My machine always seems to bulldoze the top layer over the bottom so it’s a miracle if the marks line up. The only way round this is copious pinning or tacking by hand and I blame my machine! Your tutorial is so helpful and shows it can be done perfectly …

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Mine don’t always line up either! I just do one side, and make the other side match however it ended up. If one side is 1/8” past the mark that’s what I do on the other side 😉

[@lauriecolvin3620]

Thank you for this tutorial. I just completed a pillow with piping and invisible zipper and it came out near perfect thanks to your great instructions. I wouldn't be without the piping foot as it really helps to guide you. I followed your instructions from another video for tapered pillow corners which came out great after learning you need to start tapering at the bend of the corner sooner than you think.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

You’re welcome!! I’m so glad it helped you be successful with your projects 😊

[@chrbx13]

Can you share the link of that video as I want to learn what the tapering method is ??!!

[@nancyschuller247]

I just watched your other video on sewing an invisible zipper in a pillow cover; subscribed to your channel and was perusing your other videos. WOW - I was so thankful I saw this one, because this is exactly what I was about to do! I never would have thought of the zipper placement on the welt! Thank you for saving me time and lots of frustration!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Welcome! So glad you are finding the videos helpful! Sweet comments like yours are what make it all worthwhile :)

[@earthdweller222]

Nice job! Can I use this method with a regular continuous zipper #5 and not an invisible zipper? The zipper would not need to be ironed flat. Thank you for taking the time to make this video! Very helpful!

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@earthdweller222 Thank you! I don’t use this method for regular zippers. Check out the video on how to install an overlap zipper on a pillow with brush fringe. With or without trim I do it that way for regular zippers.

[@earthdweller222]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Thank you!

[@harrietsnupeson]

FABULOUS tutorial - best explanation for something I’ve struggled with forever! (But please drop that awful music - you really don’t need it). Thankyou!

[@nightingale3875]

Excellent tutorial! I’m going to incorporate this technique for a duvet cover. Thanks!

[@elainemcnamee3953]

Should the zipper be an inch small the the pillow ? 18in pillow use 17 in zipper ? or 2 in smaller than finshed pillow side. I'm so happy I found your video's. I used to make lined curtains buy lost all my notes, can't wait to watch your videos on lined curtains ,Thank You

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@elainemcnamee3953 I usually use a zipper 2-3” shorter than the cut pillow

[@vegababes123]

Thank u very much for this information I learn something again today from u as always thanks a million 😊

[@JB-kp6df]

Felicito a esta sra.por todos sus maravillosos y útiles tutoriales. 👍❤🙏🙏...me encantaria que pudieran traducirlos al español, pero igual muchas gracias

[@tonjad1965]

Love the video! One question, can you put a zipper in with to a pillow that you made that isn't square? I'm referring to your video that a pillow isn't a square.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Yes, you do it exactly the same way. Just follow the shape of the tapered edge just like you would if it was a straight edge :)

[@tonjad1965]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare thanks

[@asmadraoui9816]

Great tutorial 👍👍👍 thank you so much 💞

[@Carmen-dd4lb]

Excellent job

[@amb12296]

You saved my ass at work! Thank you 😭

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

LOL happy to help!

[@michellelinhoff3736]

Thanks for the great step-by-step tutorial! Wondering what size your welt foot is? There are so many different sizes…also what size is your piping? Thanks again ;)

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Hi! I keep just 2 sizes of welt on hand, 1/4” and3/8”. The demo uses 1/4”. I do have several welt feet though, so I’m prepared!

[@sonjasssggg4575]

Great tutorial! I just discovered your channel & found that you have lots of great content! I was wandering what kind of zippers you use for pillows? It looks like a garment zipper. Or is it an upholstery/ heavier duty zipper. Thanks

[@sonjasssggg4575]

Also, do you use some sort of ratio/ formula in relation to the pillow size to determine when to start tapering in for the corners of your pillows?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

It's not an upholstery zipper. I buy size 4.5 zipper tape on rolls, as well as the color matching pulls, and just cut what I need to make my own zippers. They're also suitable for clothing.

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@sonjasssggg4575 One of my first videos is how to avoid pointy corners and I show my method for tapering :)

[@edreed8811]

Great video, thank you!! Can you tell me what size invisible zipper used in this video?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thanks! I use #3 invisible zipper chain from Rowley for most pillow projects.

[@edreed8811]

@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Thank you again! I've been an upholsterer for 38 yrs. I've worked with designers and decorators the whole while but just doing furniture. Always enjoyed a trip to the work rooms of the people who made the curtains, pillows and all the finer textile items. Any who..I'm doing a lot more of " finer things " these days since my body isn't working as great as it used too. Again, thank you so much! Ed

[@DiannaAtherton]

Great tutorial. What width was your welt foot

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Thanks :) It was a 1/4” welt foot

[@SusanAffolter-yu3jt]

Did you cut off the excess zipper or just leave it in the pillow?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I leave at the very least 2” on each end in the pillow

[@Ms88keys1]

Hello, another question for clarification: My zipper doesn’t need to have stops already included and if I buy a zipper, buy one a tad long so I can trim it to the size of my fabric as you trimmed yours to the size of your fabric. Is this correct?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Exactly!! I only stock zipper tape (just a roll of continuous zipper) and zipper pulls.

[@katherinej1295]

Would this work with a roped cording that has to overlap? Should the cording meet somewhere other than the bottom - I’m worried about it getting caught in an invisible zipper

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I also agree that an invisible zipper close to twist cord can be a problem. I will usually install a standard zipper with an overlap flap to conceal it near the bottom on the back of the pillow. I'll be showing how to do that in an upcoming video. You mentioned overlapping the trim. There are some trims that have to be overlapped, but twist cord isn't one of them! I have a video on how to join twist cord so you can't even find the join. I will usually locate it on the bottom of the pillow. For those times when I have to do an overlap I will place it right on a bottom corner.

[@katherinej1295]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare I need a tutorial of that overlap flap installation lol! I’ve watched your tutorial on the braided cording and it’s great. This cording is similar to that but more rope like and does not come untwisted so I don’t think that method would work. Thanks for all the help!

[@Ms88keys1]

So my zipper needs to be the same length as fabric tip to tip?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Maybe an inch shorter :)

[@Ms88keys1]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Ok, I ask because my fabric is exactly 12” so naturally I ordered a 12” invisible zipper. When it came it’s 13” tip to tip and 12” stop to stop. So I’m unsure of what to do because it doesn’t look as in your video. Should I send this 12” back and buy an 11” (seeing that it should be 12” tip to tip as in your video)?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

@@Ms88keys1 It will work! It looks different because I buy rolls of zipper tape and cut off what I need to make my own zippers. Mine don’t even have stops - they aren’t important because you create the stopping and starting points by following the video. Just center it on your pillow edge and give it a try! You can even cut off the unnecessary excess when you’re done!

[@Ms88keys1]

@@ASquarePillowIsntSquare Ok, Thanks so much.

[@christinemaxwell9468]

What type machine do you have??

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Industrial Mitsubishi LS-2210 and a basic household Juki. Plus a serger and blind hemmer.

[@bethbilous4720]

would an ivisible zipper foot help?

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

Not with welted edges

[@frankjanvari8650]

hello very nice lady excellent video as previously requested in how to thread the industrial sewing machine please kindly film how to operate the industrial sewing machine foot pedal how it's used to sew please ok?please kindly reply back ok?thank you very much and have a beautiful day

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

I promise I will do this in my next video :)

[@darleenpauley3857]

Hats a great zipper

[@mehrajuddinkar7949]

Plz name of zipper foot

[@ASquarePillowIsntSquare]

This is just a standard welt four for my industrial sewing machine. I have them in several sizes