Easy Piped Pillow (Free Sewing Pattern)

Posted by CraftFoxes Staff on Sep 11, 2017

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This is a classic pillow to add to your repertoire. Edged with self-colored piping and with a zipper to close, it can be made in any fabric, for any room in the house. This is one of my particular favorites, made up in Feather and Egg, Duck Egg and Denim.

You will need decorator fabric—see below for yardage medium-thick cable cord or piping cord—see below for yardage Matching sewing thread Square or rectangular pillow form Zipper 4in (10cm) shorter than the width of the pillow form

Step 1

ESTIMATING YARDAGE
Measure the length and width of the pillow form. For the front, allow one piece of fabric that is the size of the pillow form, plus a 5⁄8in (1.5cm) seam allowance all around. For the back, divide the form size into two halves.

Allow for two pieces of fabric, each the size of one of these halves plus a 5⁄8in (1.5cm) seam allowance all around each.

For the cable cord or piping cord, you will need enough cord to go around the edges of the pillow form, plus 4in (10cm).

For covering the cord, gauge the width of your fabric strip. To do this, measure around the cord and allow an extra 11⁄4in (3cm) for seam allowances. Allow for enough bias strips of fabric, of this width, to fit the length of your cord.

Excerpted with permission from A Beginner's Guide to Making Curtains, Shades, Pillows, Cushions, and More: 50 step-by-step projects, plus practical advice on hanging curtains, choosing fabric, and measuring up.

Step 2

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From the fabric, cut out the front, two back pieces, and bias strips. With right sides together, pin and baste the two back pieces together along one long edge, using a 5⁄8 in (1.5cm) seam. Machine-stitch along the basting for 2in (5cm) at each end of the seam, leaving the basting stitches in the center intact. Press open the seam and insert the zipper. Remove the basting.

Step 3

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Join the bias strips to the required length and cover the cord with them. Pin and baste this piping to the right side of the front around all four edges, with raw edges even. At each corner, snip into the seam allowance of the piping so it will bend around the corner. Join the ends of the piping and machine-stitch it in place.

Step 4

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Pin the front to the back, with right sides together and the piping sandwiched between the two layers. Undo the zipper and baste a 5⁄8 in (1.5cm) seam around the edges of the front and back pieces. Using a zipper foot, and working with the front piece on top, machine-stitch the front and back together. Remove the basting, snip off the corners of the seam allowances, and turn right side out. Insert the pillow form through the opening in the back, and close the zipper.