How To Close A Pillow With A Sewing Machine?

Have you wondered how to close a pillow with a sewing machine? Making pillows is one of the easiest and quickest things to sew, so it’s a great project for people who are just starting out. It is a quick and easy procedure. Read on below.

Prerequisites to sew a pillow closed

1. As the first step, cut the fabric to the desired dimensions for your pillow. The second piece of cloth needs to be cut next. This will be the pillow’s underside. To accomplish this, align it with the first. Pinning them together and cutting it out is advised.

2. Selecting your preferred thread and needle is the next step that you must take. The best option will frequently depend on the type of fabric you’re using. To keep everything together, you need to find a thread that is thick enough. The needle needs to be thick enough to easily pierce the fabric.

3. The pillow should be filled with cotton. You could also use worn-out clothing as an alternative option. Your tastes will determine how much you need. To make a firmer pillow, you might want to use a lot of filling. To make a softer pillow, you might want to use less.

4. You should perform a test run on your sewing machine. Plug the button in and set the machine. Put the thread in the machine’s needle. Run a test to see if it operates as expected.

How to close a pillow with a sewing machine?

There are many techniques for closing a pillow. We will be discussing the three main techniques as follows:

• Button closure method
• Envelope closure method
• Zip closure method

These techniques will each be covered individually, along with a step-by-step tutorial.

Additionally, to watch a great video on how to close a pillow with a sewing machine, watch this amazing video from Sew Often. The link is provided below:

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1. Button closure method

Although it appears to be a closure, this is actually a decorative feature. To add this element, choose a basic closure method and fold some overlapping, ‘loose’ fabric over a seam and connect it to the rest of the pillow cover with one or more buttons.

Steps:

• The button closure method requires you to cut an additional 6 centimeters in addition to the standard cutting. After that, fold each edge twice, making a 2-centimeter fold on each side. Use a heated iron to press after each fold to prevent their unfolding and out-of-place creases.
• On these extremities, you must then sew button bands. Use a fabric marker to indicate where the button stitching will be. Make sure to mark the locations of the button holes on one edge at the same time as the button positions on the opposite edge.
• Hem the buttonhole ends to create the buttonholes. This style of stitching needs about 520–560 feet of power per foot. There are a few buttonhole devices on the market. They always drill holes that are the same width and depth.
• The buttons can be stitched directly or with the aid of some brand-new button-sewing sewing machine programs. The button bands can then be pressed inward after the buttons have been fastened with a clean, neat stitch.
• The final finishing step: Place the pillow sections on top of one another. The bands should be positioned so that the band with button openings is on the outside and the band with buttons is on the inside.
• You can stitch the edges after they are aligned. Turn it face down once the final end has been sealed. Once the buttons are inserted into the appropriate openings, your task will be complete. Take pleasure in your masterpiece pillow creation.

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2. Envelope closure method

The term “overlap closure” can also be used to describe this closing. All four of the pillow’s edges are stitched shut, and the cloth used for the back panel is constructed from two overlapping panels that meet in the middle. The overlapping panels conceal the insert after it is inserted through the slit at the rear. This technique is typically applied to pillow shams. The insert is without a hidden element and is readily accessible for cleaning. Pillows made with this technique are ideal for use as hospitality beds.

Steps:

• You must reserve 2 centimeters of the fabric for this method’s hemming and the leftover 2 centimeters for the flap.
• The flap should be cut at about a third or a fourth of the pillowcase’s diameter. You can either lengthen that side to fold as a flap or cut the flap as a distinct piece to stitch at the end with the closing end.
• If possible, draw the sewing line for the side hems with fabric chalk. The cloth should then be folded and pressed along this marking. Now fold the edges of the fabric by 1 centimeter.
• You can also move your sewing machine needle about two places to the right. Now sew the hem to secure your sides. It is typically stitched at a 2-centimeter length.
• Once you’ve finished sewing, the flap borders should be hemmed in the same way as the hem. Keep looking to make sure the threads are straight and neat.
• The final finishing step: The flap on the open end of the pillowcase must be stitched at the final stage. Maintain the alignment and overlap of the two sides. Keep in mind to work on the fabric’s reverse surface.
• You can now use the sewing machine to begin crafting. After the flap is installed, it can be flipped face down. This is the envelope or flap style pillow closure. It adds additional security to the closing end while also having a trendy appearance.

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3. Zip closure method

A tiny zipper is sewed in at the spot where the pillow’s two sides meet on the fourth side. Since the zipper is an insert, it is positioned below the real edge. The most common form of pillow closure is this technique. The zipper is simple to reach, making it simple to remove the insert for washing.

Steps:

• You must have a fastener on hand before continuing. Take the closing end’s two sides. From one end to the other, bind the entire length. They are sewn individually using a curved or overlock stitch. Once you’ve completed this, you need to use a zip line to secure the pillow’s final end.
• Take care to measure precisely. One end of the hem edge is designated at 1.5 cm and the other side is marked at 1 cm. They should be ironed because it creates the finest surface for the zipper. Utilizing a zipper foot, sew along the indicated hems.
• The final finishing step: Both sides must be stitched individually. You can cut your zipper to fit if it is longer than the length of your pillow. Leave about a 2 centimeter margin. After that, stitch it shut with vertical sewing machine lines.
• You can now flip the pillow over after securing and closing the ends. Then, you are free to close and unzip as often as you like. You can therefore seal the pillow in this manner.

Some alternate ways on how to close a pillow with a sewing machine

Decorative design method

• Once the two fabrics have been cut, stitch the two opposing sides from the back and turn it over. Place your pillow inside, leaving the two edges unfastened.
• Fold one inch from one of the sides, then sew it together with your preferred decorative thread, making sure to stitch on the outside this time.
• Repetition is also necessary on the other side. You will have two interior decorative stitches and two outer ones if you do it this way.

Outer stitches method

• Place the fabrics so that their backs are facing each other as you stack them. Stitch it from the outside edge after folding each side by an inch.
• Insert your pillow, then use your sewing machine to sew the final edge. On all edges, you will receive lovely outer stitches.

Pocket style method

• The middle-back compartment of the pocket style allows for more coverage because it has more fabric inside. Take two fabrics; one should be precisely the same size as your pillow, and the other should be big enough to overlap.
• Make two equal squares out of the larger block. Before sewing the entire square to the other one from all four sides, join the overlapping sides together. Place the pillow inside the pocketed cover after flipping it over.

Summary: How to close a pillow with a sewing machine

The key methods to close a pillow are Button closure method, Envelope closure method and the Zip closure method. You can combine and match these straightforward closure techniques with any pillow project to suit your requirements. The options are endless for how you can detail it to fit both your style and your decor. You can try out different techniques and use these methods as a starting point for your next pillow project.

Please make sure to read our other articles if you liked this one. You can also write a comment below and tell us about your experience making pillows.

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