Installing welt cord and zipper in a pillow

Carla,

I've done many pillows with cording and a zipper, but never have taken the time to make photos as I go. Hopefully these pictures of a finished pillow will be helpful:

1. After sewing the cording completely around the pillow front, stitching as close to the cording as possible, stitch the pillow front and back together for about 1-1/2" to 2" at either side of the bottom edge (only at the bottom...leave the sides and top free until the zipper installation is done). I usually leave a seam allowance of about 1/2" at the bottom front edge, and about 1" at the bottom back edge. Clean finish the bottom edges.

1. Shorten your zipper, if necessary, to fit the opening.

2. Pin and baste the *right* side of the zipper to the inside of the cording. The zipper teeth will point toward the cord, the zipper tape will point toward the clean finished edge. Stitch. You probably won't be able to get quite as close as your seam holding the cording, but that's okay.

1. Fold and press the bottom back seam allowance, and pin (or adhere with Magic Tape) to the zipper tape as in a lapped application, and stitch.

2. Open the zipper; sew pillow front and back together around the bottom corners and at sides and top. Clean finish remaining edges.

If any of this doesn't make sense, please don't hesitate to ask for clarification. Or someone else may post better directions. :)

Doreen in Alabama

Thank you kindly, ma'am.

Doreen in Alabama